RFK Jr. Tackles New Pullup Challenge at Reagan Airport

On Dec 9, 2025

You may have seen Robert F. Kennedy Jr performing pullups in public, most recently at Reagan National Airport. This wasn’t just a stunt; it was part of a larger initiative to promote health and wellness in airports across the nation.

“Make Travel Family Friendly Again” Campaign

The public display of physical fitness took place shortly after the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary announced the “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” campaign. In collaboration with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, the campaign was launched at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The campaign, backed by a one billion dollar grant program, was created to incentivize more family-friendly resources in airport terminals, including areas dedicated to movement and exercise.

RFK Jr’s Impromptu Pullup Competition

The campaign’s vision for movement involves play spaces for children and areas for working out, including spots for pullups. Always one for a good show, RFK Jr demonstrated what a potential airport mini-gym could look like, launching into an impromptu pullup competition with Duffy. And yes, he kept his shirt on and traded his jeans for workout clothes this time.

RFK, with his shirt untucked and his tie loosened, completed 20 pullups with more control than during his much-lambasted training session for the “Pete and Bobby Challenge” back in August. Not one to be outperformed, 54-year-old US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy removed his jacket and tie, completing 10 pullups.

A Shift in Airport Exercise Culture

According to MH fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., both officials executed their reps efficiently. “I like Duffy’s pullups more than RFK’s—but both guys are definitely getting solid work,” Samuel says. “The entire endeavor’s a nice reminder that the pullup is an exercise you can do anywhere that you can hang.”

Samuel believes that incorporating movement before a flight is a great idea. “Before hopping on a flight, it’s always good to get some motion in,” he notes. “That doesn’t need to look like pullups or even pushups or anything where you sweat. Just walk at the airport instead of sitting until your flight.”

Exercise With Caution

However, Duffy hopes travelers won’t work up a full body sweat before a flight: “You wouldn’t want to stink the plane out,” he warned.

With the possibility of pullup bars coming to an airport near you, it’s worth learning how to do one correctly. Check out this guide on the right way to do a pullup. That way, if you ever find yourself sharing an airport terminal with RFK, you can challenge him at his own game.