‘Refreshing’ or ‘cringe’? RFK Jr appears in promo video reviving viral Harlem Shake dance

Robert F Kennedy Jr has divided the Maga world after appearing in a promotional video alongside Kanye West’s ex-girlfriend, in which he attempts to bring back a decade-old viral trend – The Harlem Shake.

The former presidential hopeful appeared in the short clip, which aims to “Make America Healthy Again,” alongside model-turned Trump enthusiast Amber Rose.

Rose asks RFK Jr if he “wants a shake” He shrugs and begins to shimmy as a short clip of the Harlem Shake begins to play, in an apparent attempt to perform the dance, which became wildly popular in early 2013.

“Not that kinda shake,” Rose says in reply, “a healthy shake,” and gestures to a juicer with an assortment of vegetables thrown in. “Ohhhh,” RFK Jr says.

Comments underneath the video, posted on RFK JR’s official social media accounts, ranged from the celebratory to dismissive, to outright critical. Some praised his social media team for its sense of humor.

“A sense of humor! So refreshing,” wrote one user, with another adding: “Agreed. The whole team does. VERY refreshing! So is hearing love for our country again.”

Another wrote: “I love it. Something changed Bobby and I love watching it turn out. It’s probably more important to him than any of us really understand and it is inspiring.”

Others were less impressed by RFK Jr’s moves. When asked by one user about the video, Kennedy’s former running mate, Nicole Shanahan, sought to distance herself, writing: “We have different teams. I have nothing to do with Bobby’s social media or messaging.”

“I realize it’s all in good fun… but… don’t do this again,” wrote one user in reply with another branding the video “so cringe.” “Sick 11 year old meme you guys,” replied another.

The Harlem Shake was an internet meme that went viral in February 2013. In videos, groups of people in various social settings dance to a short excerpt from the song "Harlem Shake".

At the height of its popularity, thousands of Harlem Shake videos were being made and uploaded to YouTube every day at the height of its popularity.

“I thought republicans hated laughter,” said one user, with another branding those involved “CLOWNS.”

Other social media users pointed out that revicing a meme over a decade later, and out of nowhere, was unlikely to help the protests by Trump supporters that the former president and his running mate JD Vance are “weir” – an attack line being followed by the Democrats.

“You don’t find this absolutely weird?” wrote one user. “You literally are the ones who make fun of Harris for laughing,” added another.