
Joey Chestnut, the 16-time champion of the Nathan's Fourth of July hot dog-eating contest, is not going to be competing in this year's festivities. Chestnut took to Twitter/X and wrote "I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years [I'm] banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title."
He continued: "I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!"