Blink and you might have missed Robert F Kennedy Jr appearing to sneak something into his mouth at his Senate confirmation hearing in January.
It was quickly identified by internet sleuths as a nicotine pouch — a flavoured sachet that users tuck into their gum, where it releases the drug. Specifically, a nicotine pouch made by Alp, a brand launched by the rightwing journalist Tucker Carlson late last year.
The pundit is a leading proponent of the category, which he says helped him give up cigarettes. “Smoking is bad for you . . . but I like nicotine,” he tells the FT. “I tried a nicotine pouch in 2020 — a Swedish brand — and I just thought it was amazing.”