Yes, RFK Jr. is that kind of Kennedy. He is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, a former U.S. Attorney General and senator, and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy (JFK). The Kennedys have played a huge role in American politics.
Over the past 50 years, a Kennedy has held just about every political office there is. With RFK Jr. in place, the Kennedy family will continue to influence policy for years to come. And it doesn’t hurt that the family fortune is worth $1 billion.
RFK Jr. was just nine years old when his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1963. At age 14, he faced another devastating loss when his father, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the presidency.
He’s said before that he wanted to be a veterinarian, but after his father passed, he knew he had to continue the family legacy. If his father had lived, he believes he would have encouraged RFK Jr. to follow his passions instead.
Following in his father and uncle’s footsteps, RFK Jr. attended Harvard University, graduating in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in American history and literature. It’s rumored, however, that his roommate Peter Kaplan actually wrote RFK Jr’s A+ senior thesis.
After Harvard, he earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. His time at UVA shaped his understanding of legal principles, preparing him for his later work in law, environmental advocacy, and public policy.
RFK Jr. launched his 2024 presidential campaign as an independent, seeking to challenge the two-party system. However, little support and limited ballot access led him to drop out on August 23 and announce his endorsement of Donald Trump.
Kennedy said his shared views with Trump on issues like free speech and Ukraine influenced his decision. He removed his name from key battleground ballots and shifted his focus to supporting Trump, a move criticized by his family.
RFK Jr. has led lawsuits against major corporations for pollution, like suing Hudson River industrial polluters while working with Riverkeeper. These cases aimed to hold companies accountable for harming waterways and ecosystems critical to communities.
Kennedy also challenged government agencies for neglecting environmental laws. Notable cases include suing the Environmental Protection Agency over weak mercury regulations. His legal efforts highlight his commitment to enforcing laws that protect public health and the environment.
RFK Jr. has written several books focusing on environmental issues. His book Crimes Against Nature highlights corporate greed and government corruption damaging natural resources. It calls for urgent action to protect our planet for future generations.
Kennedy also addressed health concerns in his book The Real Anthony Fauci. It critiques public health policies and explores the influence of pharmaceutical companies. His writings reflect his dedication to exposing injustice and advocating for accountability.
RFK Jr. has proposed a complete overhaul of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He plans to cut ties with pharmaceutical companies, aiming to reduce their influence on public health policies and restore trust in the system.
Kennedy also advocates for increased transparency and accountability within the HHS. This includes revising vaccine safety protocols, auditing past decisions, and promoting unbiased scientific research. His goal is to prioritize public well-being over corporate interests.
Since the election, RFK Jr. claims to have never been “anti-vaccine.” However, his previous comments contradict this. In July 2023, he told podcast host Lex Fridman, “There's no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective."
He has continuously spread disproved theories about vaccines, saying they cause autism. He opposes routine immunizations, which has caused the public to hesitate on their own vaccinations. This has intensified public health challenges like the resurgence of measles outbreaks.
RFK Jr. has long promoted conspiracy theories about vaccines, saying they cause autism despite overwhelming scientific evidence that they don’t. He also suggests vaccines may be tools for government control, fueling distrust in immunization programs worldwide.
Additionally, Kennedy has expressed concerns over 5G technology, claiming it controls human behavior. He’s also said there is deeper government involvement in 9/11, saying that he “won’t take sides” on what happened. At his heart, he is a conspiracy theorist.
RFK Jr. became the leader of Children’s Health Defense and turned it into a key group for spreading anti-vaccine ideas. He focused on claims about vaccine dangers and pushed against public health rules around the world.
Kennedy’s leadership was bold, focusing on big campaigns and legal fights. He grew the group’s reach by using social media and events to connect with supporters. His work spread doubt about vaccines and government health policies.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services sparked significant debate. Kennedy's well-known anti-vaccine stance raised concerns about the future of public health programs and vaccine policies under his leadership.
Public reactions were strong, with critics arguing that appointing an anti-vaccine figure could weaken trust in lifesaving immunizations. Supporters, however, saw it as a chance to challenge current health policies. The decision remains highly controversial.
RFK Jr. met his first wife, Emily Ruth Black, in college and married in 1982. They were together 12 years and had two children together. After his first divorce, he immediately married Mary Richardson in 1994 and had four children with her before divorcing in 2010.
He married his current wife, Cheryl Hines, in 2014 and is a stepfather to her daughter. Hines is allegedly considering a divorce after RFK Jr. supposedly had an affair earlier this year with journalist Olivia Nuzzi.
RFK Jr. founded the Waterkeeper Alliance to address severe pollution in waterways, inspired by his work with the Hudson Riverkeeper. His vision was to create a unified network dedicated to protecting and restoring water resources worldwide.
The Alliance quickly grew into a global movement, uniting local organizations to fight pollution and promote clean water access. Kennedy’s leadership and focus on grassroots action significantly impacted global water conservation and environmental justice efforts.
During his early adulthood, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. battled substance abuse, including heroin addiction. His struggles led to multiple arrests, including one in 1983 for heroin possession, which attracted wide public attention and strained his family relationships deeply.
On an episode of the Shawn Ryan Show podcast, Kennedy said that heroin helped him get to the top of the class. Although it was a wild comment, he went on to explain that the drug destroyed his life, leading him to get clean.
RFK Jr. faced a significant setback in 1983 when he failed the bar exam, a requirement to practice law. This failure led to his resignation from the Manhattan District Attorney's office, where he had begun his legal career.
However, he still had father to fall. He was later arrested for heroin. These challenges marked a turning point for Kennedy, pushing him to reassess his path and refocus his goals.
