Caroline Kennedy Slams Cousin RFK Jr. Over ‘Dangerous’ Views

Caroline Kennedy didn’t hold back in a recent talk with Australian journalists. President John F. Kennedy’s daughter, and U.S. Ambassador to Australia, made headlines when she spoke out against her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his outspoken anti-vaccine stance. She wasn’t supposed to wade into U.S. politics, but in a candid speech, she said, “Bobby Kennedy’s views on vaccines are dangerous.”

Kennedy’s comments came at Australia’s National Press Club, where she’s been a prominent figure since President Biden appointed her in 2022. Her remark was in response to a question about RFK Jr., a notorious promoter of vaccine skepticism, who endorsed President-elect Donald Trump after a short-lived independent presidential campaign. Trump has now nominated RFK Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services—a move that’s sending shockwaves through the medical community.

RFK Jr., once a celebrated environmental lawyer, turned toward the fringes of health advocacy years ago. His skepticism about vaccines grew, fueled by fringe theories that have no scientific backing, especially after he co-founded the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense in 2011. While he frames his concerns as “protecting health freedoms,” his statements run contrary to global health authorities, including the World Health Organization, which stresses the life-saving importance of vaccines. Measles, once eradicated in the U.S., has seen a resurgence in part due to vaccine hesitancy, a trend Kennedy’s critics fear RFK Jr. will amplifyy noted that while RFK Jr.’s views are a family matter, they’re also a public concern. “I’m a sitting ambassador, and I’m not supposed to comment on politics,” she joked, adding, “But I’ve known Bobby a long time. Others are just getting to know him.” Her words reflect a broader concern about the risk of vaccine misinformation gaining traction in government policy.

Kennedy’s unease wasn’t limited to RFK Jr. She was also asked about former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, another Trump nominee, this time for director of national intelligence. Gabbard has been the subject of controversy since her 2017 meeting with Syria’s Russian-backed president Bashar al-Assad, a move many saw as unpatriotic. Known for her critiques of U.S. foreign policy, Gabbard has aligned herself with Russian-backed narratives, raising concerns about her potential role in intelligence. “Obviously, that would be of great concern,” Kennedy admitted, referencing Gabbard’s ties to Russian interests.

For decades, the Kennedy name has been synonymous with a forward-looking vision for America. Caroline Kennedy’s father, President John F. Kennedy, famously championed public health and science with programs that ushered in advancements like the polio vaccine and the space race. It’s no wonder Caroline feels her cousin’s anti-vaccine stance betrays that legacy, just as she likely views Gabbard’s Russia-friendly record as a risk to the nation.

Kennedy’s comments, however rare from a diplomat, serve as a clear warning.