Politics
In a powerful and emotional appeal, Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Ambassador to Australia, has called on senators to reject the nomination of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as the next health secretary. In a letter addressed to key committee leaders, Caroline described RFK Jr. as "unqualified" and "a predator," highlighting his lack of relevant experience and what she termed "dangerous" views on vaccines.
Caroline's decision to speak out marks a significant break with her cousin, whom she has known since childhood. She emphasized that her silence until now was due to her role in government and her family ties, but the gravity of RFK Jr.'s nomination compelled her to act. "I feel an obligation to speak out," she wrote, as his potential role would put him in charge of the health of the American people.
Concerns Over Qualifications and Personal Conduct
Caroline outlined several key concerns about RFK Jr.'s qualifications and personal conduct. She noted that he lacks any relevant government, financial, management, or medical experience, which she believes should be disqualifying on its own. However, it was his personal qualities that she found particularly troubling. She described him as charismatic but also as someone who has consistently demonstrated a willingness to break rules and engage in risky behavior, particularly regarding drug use.
She recalled how RFK Jr.'s influence led younger family members down a path of drug addiction, resulting in "addiction, illness, and death." Caroline also highlighted an incident involving a dead bear left in Central Park as a prank, which she saw as indicative of his indifference to animals and his penchant for provocative actions.
Hypocrisy and Misrepresentation
Caroline accused RFK Jr. of hypocrisy, pointing out that while he encourages others to attend AA meetings, he himself is "addicted to attention and power." She noted that he vaccinated his own children while discouraging others from doing so, a stance she described as both dangerous and hypocritical. His crusade against vaccines, she argued, has cost lives and enriched him through financial stakes in lawsuits against vaccines like the HPV vaccine.
Impact on Public Health
Caroline emphasized the real-world consequences of RFK Jr.'s beliefs, particularly regarding cervical cancer. She highlighted her work on the QUAD Cancer Moonshot in Australia, where she learned that cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among women in many countries. The lack of vaccines and screening, she noted, results in over 200,000 children losing their mothers annually.
Exploitation of Family Legacy
Caroline also criticized RFK Jr. for exploiting their family's legacy for personal gain. She expressed dismay at how he used her father's image during his presidential campaign and sought to capitalize on the tragic assassinations of their family members for publicity.
Final Plea
In her letter, Caroline urged senators to reject RFK Jr.'s nomination, stating that the American healthcare system deserves a leader who is knowledgeable, committed to evidence, and morally sound. "They deserve better than Bobby Kennedy—and so do the rest of us," she concluded.
Source:
Caroline Kennedy, Fortune https://fortune.com/well/2025/01/28/rfk-caroline-kennedy-reject-nomination
Image Credit: Brent Lewin—Bloomberg via Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch—Getty Images