Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was asked about his former running mate Nicole Shanahan’s claims that someone is “controlling his decisions,” and that she did not mean President Donald Trump, during an interview on Fox News on Thursday.
Shanahan made the stunning claims in response to President Donald Trump’s nomination of Casey Means as surgeon general on Wednesday.
NEW: RFK Jr is asked about why Dr. Janette Nesheiwat was pulled for Dr. Casey Means and about his former running mate Nicole Shanahan’s comments that he was “being controlled.” pic.twitter.com/dh6cbNzgRv
— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) May 8, 2025
“It’s very strange. Doesn’t make any sense. I was promised that if I supported RFK Jr. in his Senate confirmation that neither of these siblings would be working under HHS or in an appointment (and that people much more qualified would be),” Shanahan wrote.
Yes, it’s very strange. Doesn’t make any sense. I was promised that if I supported RFK Jr. in his Senate confirmation that neither of these siblings would be working under HHS or in an appointment (and that people much more qualified would be). I don’t know if RFK very clearly… https://t.co/KDb5O5MvAM
— Nicole Shanahan (@NicoleShanahan) May 8, 2025
The post continued, “I don’t know if RFK very clearly lied to me, or what is going on. It has been clear in recent conversations that he is reporting to someone regularly who is controlling his decisions (and it isn’t President Trump). With regards to the siblings, there is something very artificial and aggressive about them, almost like they were bred and raised Manchurian assets.”
In addition to being his running mate during the presidential election, Shanahan has also been a vocal supporter of Kennedy’s work at HHS, even threatening to fund primary challenges against those who opposed his confirmation.
Wow! @RobertKennedyJr was just asked about his former running mate @NicoleShanahan’s comments that he is “controlled”.
He also was asked why @DoctorJanette was replaced as the US Surgeon General nominee and what he thinks about the critics of @CaseyMeansMD.
I can confirm that… https://t.co/YiNp9TD6eE pic.twitter.com/Xitn3e3s4t
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 8, 2025
Kennedy denied Shanahan’s allegations, emphasizing his independence in decision-making at HHS. He claimed his actions and policies were guided by his commitment to evidence-based science and President Trump’s directives, such as rooting out corruption and restoring trust in federal health agencies.
In March 2025, Candace Owens alleged that Kennedy is being blackmailed as part of an “elaborate sexual blackmail scheme.” These claims, made on her YouTube podcast, accused journalist Olivia Nuzzi and blogger Jessica Reed Kraus, known by her Instagram handle @houseinhabit, of being part of a plot to control him.
Nuzzi had a “digital affair” with Kennedy in 2024 and was sending him lewd photos, despite being engaged.
Kraus has been hanging around the White House due to her ties to Kennedy and has long supported Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
