Caroline Kennedy has taken the extraordinary step of publicly opposing her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services, labeling him unqualified and dangerous. Her statements come as RFK Jr. prepares to testify before the Senate Finance Committee, where he faces intense scrutiny over his controversial views on health issues, particularly vaccines.
On January 28, Caroline Kennedy sent a scathing letter to lawmakers, warning them against confirming her cousin, whom she described as a "predator." "I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together," she wrote, as reported by The Washington Post. "It’s no surprise he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator.”
RFK Jr., the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, has been a prominent anti-vaccine activist and the founder of Children's Health Defense. His nomination by President Trump has drawn significant public concern, particularly from health professionals and lawmakers who worry about his stance on vaccination.
Caroline, who is also the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, expressed deep misgivings about RFK Jr.'s personal qualities and qualifications. She highlighted how he had encouraged relatives down the path of substance abuse, noting, "His basement, his garage, his dorm room were always the center of the action – where drugs were available." She claimed his lifestyle led to addiction and despair among those close to him.
Criticizing his professional background, Caroline Kennedy stated, "He lacks any relevant government, financial, management, or medical experience." Her concerns escalated as she addressed his controversial views on vaccines, which she characterized as “dangerous and willfully misinformed.” RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine rhetoric has been linked to public health crises, including the 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa, which health officials attributed to increased vaccine hesitancy.
“Bobby preys on the desperation of parents of sick children,” she wrote, arguing he hypocritically vaccinated his own children even as he discouraged other parents from doing the same. Caroline Kennedy's allegations paint RFK Jr. as someone who exploits personal and familial tragedies for self-serving ends.
The letter, which garnered attention when her son Jack Schlossberg shared video footage of her reading it, indicated her long-standing reluctance to speak out against family members. "I have refrained from speaking publicly about my cousin over the past year due to my role as Ambassador to Australia and out of respect for family challenges," she said. "But with this nomination, I feel obligated to speak."
During RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearing, he faced pointed questioning from both Republican and Democratic senators. The scrutiny intensified around his vaccine skepticism, which has made him polarizing, even among some public health advocates who might support him on other issues.
Senator Ron Wyden challenged RFK Jr. directly, questioning the veracity of his contradictory statements. "Are you lying to Congress today when you say you are pro-vaccine, or were you lying on those podcasts?" Wyden pressed. Despite his claims of support for vaccines, many lawmakers remain skeptical.
Caroline Kennedy's public stance has drawn support from other family members. Maria Shriver, daughter of Eunice Kennedy, affirmed her cousin’s position, calling her courageous for voicing her concerns against RFK Jr.'s nomination.
“Courage is when you do something hard, heartbreaking, and painful... and you do it anyway,” Shriver remarked on social media, emphasizing the difficulty of taking such a stand against family.
The ramifications of Caroline Kennedy's condemnation on RFK Jr.’s nomination could be significant. Her visceral depiction of him as both personally flawed and dangerously unqualified adds weight to the critiques from public health advocates and lawmakers alike. The Senate Finance Committee, which RFK Jr. is expected to testify before again, will assess his fitness for the position against the backdrop of Caroline’s compelling arguments against him.
With the confirmation process already sparking contentious debate among lawmakers, Caroline's letter may mark just the beginning of the pushback against RFK Jr.'s appointment. The outcome of the nomination remains uncertain as RFK Jr.'s controversial past and present views continue to surface.
It remains to be seen whether the Senate will heed Caroline Kennedy’s warning, or whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s family ties will allow him to navigate through this difficult confirmation process unscathed.