Robert F. Kennedy Jr., had a hard time delivering a recent speech as President Donald Trump’s handpicked Health and Human Services Secretary.
Like his Republican boss in the White House, the 72-year-old Kennedy continues to face serious questions about his own health.
The Health Secretary’s public appearances have become a slow-motion train wreck that captures plenty of online attention.
One strange moment during RFK Jr.’s Sept. 17 address turned heads. He headlined the Children’s Health Defense conference in Washington.
About 50 minutes into his remarks, the former CHD chairman told the anti-vaccine advocacy group they had a “steadfast friend” in the administration.
“Last year, I reconstituted the advisory committee for immunization practices. The committee subsequently considered questions involving… Oh, boy,” Kennedy said before trailing off.
He then lost his train of thought while discussing vaccines and struggled after a lamp fell from the podium. An aide rushed onto the stage to secure it as Kennedy stood nearby sorting through his papers.
The room broke into applause as RFK Jr. stood awkwardly on stage, rustling papers. Cameras also caught his head and hands visibly shaking.
Kennedy has discussed having several health conditions. He previously opened up about being diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia in his early 40s.
The son of assassinated former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy cited the neurological disorder as the cause of his trembling speaking voice.
However, RFK Jr. admitting in a 2012 deposition to having “cognitive problems,” supposedly caused by a dead worm in his brain, shocked the nation.
The DC-born lawyer insisted the parasite did not affect his ability to serve in public office, even though he never received specific medical treatment for the issue.
Kennedy may have tried to downplay the brain worm revelation, but the internet will not let him move past it.
In particular, the onstage fumble at the CHD gathering fueled RFK Jr.’s detractors. Social media users reintroduced the conversation about the calcified crawler inside his skull.
“The brainworm is getting the best of RFK Jr. today,” one person tweeted in response to a video of the Health Secretary reacting to knocking the light fixture to the floor.
A second commenter pointed out, “His hands shake. It’s a definite tremor. That’s not part of his spasmodic dysphonia. What’s going on?”
Other people on X asked questions like, “Where is this man’s family?” to which someone replied, “They abandoned him.”
The audience reaction added another strange layer. Attendees applauded as the awkward moment unfolded, prompting viewers to ask why they were cheering.
“Why are they applauding?” one viewer wondered. Another said, “Why is he so red, and why are they laughing and clapping? He looks like he needs emergency care.”
The combination of the podium mishap, Kennedy’s halting delivery and the crowd’s response turned an otherwise routine speech into a spectacle.
The unease over him appearing to be dealing with mental and physical deterioration was bolstered following a photo op at the White House in late August.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz had to redirect Kennedy from trying to stand behind the president during the Oval Office meeting.
It remains unclear if RFK Jr. wanted a better position next to the MAGA leader or if he started wandering out of confusion linked to a possible degenerative brain disease.
As 80-year-old Trump deals with scrutiny over his fitness and 84-year-old Sen. Mitch McConnell’s three-month medical absence dominates headlines, voters continuously express frustration over elderly, ailing government officials running the country.
