US Health Secretary: I'm not afraid of bacteria, I once snorted cocaine from a toilet seat
In Theo Von's popular podcast This Past Weekend, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke about his difficult past with drug addiction, which, according to him, still requires him to attend support groups every day, reports The Guardian.
Robert F. Kennedy. Photo: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Kennedy noted that he did not miss such meetings even during the coronavirus pandemic, when many public events were restricted, and it was there that he met podcast host Von.
"I'm not afraid of bacteria. I once snorted cocaine from a toilet seat," Kennedy admitted in an episode released on February 12.
These words drew criticism from the healthcare advocacy group Protect Our Care. The organization's president, Brad Woodhouse, issued a brief statement afterwards: "Resign."
Protect Our Care stated that Kennedy's remarks clearly demonstrate why he is not fit to lead such an important federal agency. According to the advocates, the minister's attitude confirms that he is a dangerous choice to head the US healthcare system.
The organization recalled that cocaine was linked to almost 30,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2023. In this context, they stressed, the minister's words appear irresponsible.
Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the US Department of Health, responded to the criticism by stating that under Kennedy's leadership, the agency uses all its authority to deliver results for Americans and will continue the same line in 2026, prioritizing patient interests and public health.
Kennedy has previously openly spoken about his years of drug addiction. In April 2025, at a conference in Nashville, he said that his political views were largely shaped by a 14-year heroin addiction, which he overcame after being arrested in 1983 and starting treatment.
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