'Robert F. Kennedy Jr is a predator’: Caroline Kennedy warns Senate against cousin, urges to reject nomination

Caroline Kennedy has urged the US Senate to reject the nomination of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as President Donald Trump’s health secretary. In a strongly worded letter to senators on Tuesday, she called him a “predator” who is “addicted to power.”

Allegations of drug use and animal cruelty

Caroline Kennedy's letter painted a grim picture of her cousin's past, detailing his involvement in drug use and disturbing behavior. She recounted how his basement, garage, and dorm were epicenters for drug use, where he would put baby chickens and mice in blenders to feed to his hawks.

"It was often a perverse scene of despair and violence," she wrote.

Vaccine controversy

Caroline Kennedy highlighted her cousin's controversial views on vaccines, which she deemed disqualifying for the role of health secretary. She noted that while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vaccinated his own children, he has discouraged others from doing the same.

"Kennedy preys on the desperation of parents of sick children," she told senators.

Financial gains from lawsuits

Caroline Kennedy also pointed out that her cousin RFK Jr. stands to profit from a lawsuit against pharmaceutical company Merck over Gardasil, a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. She revealed that he made over $850,000 from this arrangement last year.

"He is willing to enrich himself by denying access to a vaccine that can prevent almost all forms of cervical cancer and which has been safely administered to millions of boys and girls,” she wrote.

Family legacy and Senate hearings

Caroline Kennedy's letter comes ahead of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appearance before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday (January 29). Another hearing for his nomination will be held in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces tough Senate hearing over vaccine misinformation

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will face scrutiny over his history of spreading vaccine misinformation and his proposals to overhaul US science agencies as he seeks to become President Donald Trump's health secretary.

If confirmed, the 71-year-old Kennedy family heir and former environmental attorney would lead the Health and Human Services Department, which oversees 80,000 employees and a $1.7 trillion budget, amid growing concerns about the potential for bird flu to spark a human pandemic.

Critics argue that RFK Jr. is dangerously unqualified, pointing to his promotion of debunked links between measles vaccines and autism.

However, RFK Jr. has also gained support for his "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda, which echoes Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan. His focus is on tackling the nation's chronic disease crisis through better nutrition and a focus on wellness.