If you’ve heard Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speak lately—especially in his role as the Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2026—you’ve likely noticed the rasp. It’s a distinct, strained, sometimes shaky quality to his voice that makes every sentence feel like an uphill climb. It isn't a cold. It isn't just old age.
People ask what disease does rfk have because the symptoms are so visible, yet the explanation is actually a mix of a rare neurological condition and some truly bizarre medical history that sounds more like a Netflix script than a doctor's chart.
The short answer? He has spasmodic dysphonia. But there’s a lot more to the story, including a parasitic "brain worm" and a bout with mercury poisoning that almost cost him his cognitive edge years ago.
The Voice: Understanding Spasmodic Dysphonia
Basically, spasmodic dysphonia is a neurological disorder. It isn't a problem with the lungs or even the physical structure of the throat. Instead, the brain sends glitchy signals to the vocal cords.
Kennedy has the "adductor" type. This means his vocal cords don't just vibrate naturally; they snap shut mid-sentence. It creates that "strangled" or "tight" sound. Imagine trying to talk while someone is lightly pressing on your windpipe—that’s the physical reality of the condition.
Why did it happen?
Honestly, doctors aren't 100% sure. Kennedy himself has noted that the symptoms started appearing around 1996 when he was about 42. He was a prolific public speaker and environmental lawyer, and suddenly, his voice just started to fail. Some research suggests it can be triggered by a period of intense stress or even a severe respiratory infection, but for most, it just shows up and stays.
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There is no "cure" in the traditional sense. Most people with this condition get Botox injections directly into their vocal cords every few months to temporarily paralyze the muscles and stop the spasms.
In late 2023, Kennedy traveled to Kyoto, Japan, for a specialized surgery. The procedure aimed to physically separate the vocal cords or adjust the nerves to reduce the intensity of the spasms. While he’s said it helped, the neurological "glitch" remains.
The "Brain Worm" That Went Viral
You can't talk about what disease does rfk have without mentioning the parasite. Back in 2010, Kennedy was dealing with such severe memory loss and "brain fog" that he actually thought he had a brain tumor. It made sense—his uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, had died of brain cancer just a year prior.
But when doctors at New York-Presbyterian Hospital looked at the scans, they didn't find a tumor. They found a dark spot.
One doctor concluded it wasn't a growth at all, but a dead parasite. Specifically, a pork tapeworm larva (Taenia solium). Kennedy famously claimed in a 2012 deposition that the worm "ate a portion" of his brain and then died.
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Does a worm actually eat your brain?
Medical experts, like those at the CDC, say "eat" is a bit of an exaggeration. The parasite enters the brain in a larval stage (a condition called neurocysticercosis), forms a cyst, and absorbs nutrients from the surrounding fluid. It’s the inflammation caused by the worm dying that usually triggers the neurological symptoms like seizures or memory loss.
The good news? It’s long gone. Kennedy has repeatedly stated that the issue resolved itself over a decade ago and hasn't required ongoing treatment.
Mercury Poisoning and Too Much Tuna
Around the same time as the brain worm scare, Kennedy was diagnosed with significant mercury poisoning. He’s been very open about the cause: his diet.
He was a massive fan of tuna fish sandwiches. Like, "eat them every day" levels of fan.
Mercury is a heavy metal that accumulates in large predatory fish. When levels get too high in the human body (Kennedy said his were 10 times the EPA limit), it causes:
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- Short-term memory loss
- Extreme fatigue
- Cognitive "fogginess"
Many neurologists believe that the "brain fog" Kennedy experienced in the early 2010s was actually more likely caused by the mercury than the tiny, dead worm. He eventually cleared the mercury through chelation therapy and a drastic change in diet, and he claims his cognitive function is now better than ever.
Atrial Fibrillation: The Heart Component
To round out the medical chart, Kennedy has also dealt with atrial fibrillation (Afib). This is a common heart rhythm disorder where the upper chambers of the heart beat out of sync with the lower chambers.
He’s described the feeling as a "bag of worms" in his chest. It’s a condition that can be exacerbated by caffeine, stress, and lack of sleep—all of which are pretty common for someone in high-level politics. He has been hospitalized for it several times over the years but maintains it is managed.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that Kennedy’s voice issues are a sign of failing health or cognitive decline. In reality, spasmodic dysphonia is "task-specific." It affects speech, but it doesn’t affect the ability to think, write, or even sing in some cases.
Another myth is that he currently has a parasite. He doesn't. That was a one-time infection from years of international travel as an environmental advocate.
Actionable Insights for Voice Health
If you or someone you know is struggling with a "shaky" or "strained" voice that won't go away, here are the actual steps experts recommend:
- See a Laryngologist: Don't just go to a general practitioner. You need a specialist who can perform a videostroboscopy—basically a tiny camera that watches your vocal cords in slow motion.
- Rule out MTD: Many people are misdiagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia when they actually have Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD), which is much easier to treat with physical therapy.
- Explore Botox Options: If it is spasmodic dysphonia, Botox remains the gold standard. It sounds scary to have a needle in your neck, but for many, it’s the only way to get their voice back.
- Speech Pathology: Vocal exercises won't cure a neurological spasm, but they can teach you "breathy" onset techniques to make speaking less exhausting.
Kennedy's health history is a wild mix of the rare and the preventable. While the "brain worm" makes for great headlines, it’s the chronic, neurological battle with his voice that defines his daily experience.