Caroline Kennedy calls cousin RFK Jr. a 'predator' ahead of confirmation hearing.
Caroline Kennedy has called on U.S. senators to reject her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services, issuing a sharply critical letter on Tuesday.
Shared on social media and sent directly to lawmakers, her message arrived just ahead of RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing on Wednesday, which is expected to be contentious.
“I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together,” she wrote. “It’s no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator.”
Kennedy argued that RFK Jr.’s controversial views on vaccines make him unfit to oversee America’s public health agencies. He has yet to respond to her accusations.
In her letter—also released in video form—Caroline Kennedy said she felt compelled to speak out due to the significant influence her cousin could wield if confirmed to the Trump administration.
Divisive Nomination
President Trump has defended his pick, saying RFK Jr. will “make America great and healthy again” by restoring U.S. health agencies to “the traditions of gold-standard scientific research.” The Health and Human Services Secretary oversees critical institutions like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which employs approximately 18,000 people.
“He lacks any relevant government, financial, management, or medical experience,” Kennedy stated. “His views on vaccines are dangerous and willfully misinformed.”
RFK Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic, has repeatedly promoted debunked claims linking vaccines to autism. However, he recently stated that he does not intend to ban vaccines but aims to improve safety research, which he believes is inadequate.
During his confirmation hearing, senators are expected to question him about his vaccine stance and his broader public health plans, including his focus on reducing junk food consumption—an area where he has garnered more bipartisan support.
Personal Allegations
Caroline Kennedy also elaborated on her “predator” remark, accusing her cousin of exploiting vulnerable parents by discouraging vaccinations while privately ensuring his own children were immunized. RFK Jr. has previously been quoted as saying he regrets vaccinating his own children and would “pay anything” to undo it.
Beyond policy concerns, she raised issues about his personal history, alleging that RFK Jr. encouraged substance abuse among family members. He has publicly acknowledged past struggles with drug addiction, including heroin use, and pleaded guilty in 1984 to carrying heroin onto a plane.
Kennedy’s letter also resurfaced an old claim of animal cruelty, stating that RFK Jr. would showcase violent behavior by feeding baby chickens and mice to his hawks in a disturbing manner.
A former U.S. ambassador to Australia and Japan, Caroline Kennedy asserted that both her father, President John F. Kennedy, and her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy, would be “disgusted” by RFK Jr.’s actions.
RFK Jr. briefly launched a Democratic presidential bid last year before switching to an independent campaign. He later suspended his run and endorsed Trump.
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