A Cabinet meeting at Camp David took an unexpected nostalgic turn when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. looked back more than six decades and linked Donald Trump to one of America’s most recognizable presidents. The comparison drew smiles from the room and prompted a quick reaction from Trump himself.
RFK Jr. compares Donald Trump to JFK at Camp David
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. used a televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David to reflect on his family’s history at the presidential retreat before comparing Donald Trump with his late uncle, John F. Kennedy.
Kennedy, who said it was his first visit to Camp David in 62 years, recalled spending weekends there between 1961 and 1963 while JFK served as president and his father, Robert F. Kennedy, was attorney general. “My father loved this place, my uncle loved this place,” he said (via People).
After reminiscing about those childhood visits, Kennedy shifted to Trump’s presidency. He noted that JFK valued openness and said his administration took pride in transparency, pointing out that the late president held roughly 30 press conferences during his nearly 1,000 days in office. Turning toward Trump, Kennedy remarked, “You, Mr. President, have press conferences every day.”
The remark drew laughter from the audience. He then praised Trump, saying he had dealt with what he called “the most hostile press corps” of any U.S. president. He also argued that Trump had “opened the inner sanctum of the presidency“ like never before, adding that he believed it was “a beautiful thing.”
Trump appeared to enjoy the praise before turning his attention to a portrait behind Kennedy. Pointing at the image of John F. Kennedy, he smiled and joked, “Handsome guy. That’s quite a picture. Did you see it?”
The Cabinet meeting also made history, becoming the first one ever televised from the 125-acre Camp David presidential retreat. Kennedy later updated the administration on ongoing efforts to reduce prescription drug costs, including medications like Ozempic, and outlined other healthcare initiatives his department is currently working on.
