Did a 1721 painting predict Trump, Musk, and RFK Jr.’s McDonald’s meal? The viral post debunked

A viral tweet claimed that a 1721 painting by "Deitz Nuützen" predicted a recent in-flight McDonald’s meal shared by President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and RFK Jr. 

The photo, initially posted by Trump’s deputy director of communications Margo Martin on November 17, 2024, featured the trio enjoying fast food mid-flight. 

However, an X user posted a comparison of the image with a supposed centuries-old painting, garnering over 7.6 million views.  

Internet users quickly debunked the painting’s existence. Several noted that the name "Deitz Nuützen" is a play on the slang term "Deez Nuts." 

According to Dictionary.com, the phrase is "an expression used to divert or interrupt a conversation to show disrespect."  

The absurdity deepened when it was revealed that the image of the painting originated from an account known for posting AI-generated images and memes. 

Adding historical irony, "Deez Nuts" also appeared during the 2015 U.S. presidential campaign, when a 15-year-old named Brady Olson registered as a candidate under the pseudonym and even placed third in public polls behind Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.  

Meanwhile, the meal itself came amidst Trump’s announcement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 

On November 14, Trump praised Kennedy, saying, "He's going to help make America healthy again. He's a great guy and he really means it. He wants to do some things and we're going to let him go do it."  

In a Truth Social post, Trump shared, "Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!" 

He added that Americans have been "crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies" engaging in "misinformation, disinformation, and deception."  

Kennedy echoed Trump’s vision in a November 6 NPR interview, stating that the president-elect tasked him with eliminating corruption in regulatory agencies and addressing the chronic disease epidemic within two years. 

"Trump aims to restore regulatory agencies to a 'gold standard' based on evidence and empirical science," Kennedy shared.