CNN showcased Kerry Kennedy, the younger sister of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to suggest he may not be fit for office, but RFK Jr. got the last laugh.
Kerry recounts tales from years back about how “Bobby” was captivated by animals and had little fear of snakes, claiming that he once captured a snake in her garden with one hand while holding his infant child in the other.
She then claimed that her brother would eventually release the snake in a swimming pool full of children.
“This is somebody, on one hand, who has a fascination with nature, but on the other hand, has a lack of judgment when it comes to the safety and care of children,” Kerry said. “So, is this the person we want running the HHS, who’s got this lack of judgment when it comes to health and safety?”
Kerry Kennedy tells Erin her brother, RFK Jr. once captured a snake while holding his infant child, showed it to kids at a birthday party “chomping on his hand,” and then released the snake into a swimming pool filled with children. pic.twitter.com/ePDo2qd0wV
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) June 16, 2026
Her logic being that someone so fearless around snakes cannot possibly be good at protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.
RFK Jr. responded to a clip of the interview by sharing a photo of the two of them as young children. In the photo, he appears to be nuzzling a hawk while Kerry looks on in amazement.
“With my sister Kerry in 1964 pre TDS,” he wrote.
With my sister Kerry in 1964 pre TDS pic.twitter.com/LHnKZ1d1zp
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 16, 2026
Social media users reacted to suggest that TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) is very real — here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
She admired you then.
America admires you now. Thank you for your service.
— down4freespeech (@down4freespeech) June 16, 2026
It’s sad that your family can’t celebrate all your wins with you. TDS is very real and has wrecked a lot of families and it’s awful. Hoping you guys come up with a solid cure soon. More UFC fights at the White House will help!
— BroncoNation (@Bronconation_80) June 16, 2026
@RobertKennedyJr I am so sorry you endure the cruelty and pettiness of your family. I am touched by how good and kind you are in return. Thank you for what you do for my children, for my family. For your love of us, I share our love with you. God Bless.
— Tee Baille (@TeeBaille) June 17, 2026
This is the absolute best response because loving a sister or brother should be paramount. CNN trying to break a family is par for the course. Shame on you @CNN and @OutFrontCNN
— FREESPEECH #1776 (@kassieK222) June 16, 2026
I have 4 older brothers. I can’t imagine letting TDS destroy my relationships with them. They did a lot of crazy things in their youth. Typical boys.
— KateMaité (@kateC3P0) June 16, 2026
It’s a shame how TDS destroys people both mentally and physically.
— msskyapple (@Skyapple60) June 17, 2026
