The Kennedys have long been considered America’s royal family, and for generations, they’ve been brought up in the great state of Massachusetts. That includes Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current Health and Human Services Secretary—but his latest idea to improve the health of Americans could burn the bridge with his home state for good.
At a recent rally in Austin, Texas, Kennedy drew a line in the sand against one of Massachusetts’ most beloved brands: Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts). Kennedy said he planned to press coffee chains including Dunkin’ for proof that their ingredients were safe for consumption, particularly in terms of sugar content.
“We’re going to ask Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, ‘Show us the safety data that show that it’s okay for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it,’” Kennedy said. “I don’t think they’re gonna be able to do it.”
Naturally, Bay Staters weren’t having it. Dunkin’ is ubiquitous throughout Massachusetts, boasting the highest concentration of stores in the United States by population: With 1,031 stores in the state, that’s one Dunkin’ for every 6,668 residents.
Dunkin’ lovers rallied on social media to stand up for their favorite coffee shop, posting flags edited with Dunkin’s iconic orange, purple, and brown colors and invoking the spirit of the brand’s most famous fans, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. “I’m joining the war on Dunkin on the side of Dunkin,” one user wrote.
Stand for the flag kneel for the croissant pic.twitter.com/0ryhzy5cOq
— Kirk Chungus (@wyatt_riot_69) March 4, 2026
Even Massachusetts’ Governor Maura Healey chimed in to defend Dunkin’, posting her own take on the “Come and Take it” flag (originally created in 1835 for the Texas Revolution). Healey’s version replaces the flag’s cannon with an iced coffee from Dunkin’. The message was clear: Coming for Dunkin’ means coming for all of Massachusetts.
Despite growing up in the state himself, Kennedy’s relationship with Massachusetts is far from positive. A November 2025 survey found that roughly 62% of registered voters in Massachusetts “disapprove” or “strongly disapprove” of his performance as Health Secretary.
Threatening the coffee that runs through the state’s blood is no way to win back voters’ favor—though if he’ll follow through on his plan to stop America from running on Dunkin’ remains to be seen.
Neither Dunkin’ nor the Department of Health and Human Services have responded to Fast Company’s request for comment.
