2 days ago
Chris Pratt Defends RFK Jr. In Interview
Chris Pratt shared his thoughts on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Prior to the 2024 election, Chris penned an essay where he declined to endorse Kamala Harris or Donald Trump: "So, be a good sport. We need you. Our country needs you. Team Red, Team Blue, and Team 'Didn't Even Vote,' too. Your civic duty can be uniquely exercised on November 5th, but there is an even bigger civic duty required the next day: which is to accept the results and focus instead on showing up for each other."
The Guardians of the Galaxy alum recently appeared on Bill Maher's podcast Club Random, where he was asked about his relationship with RFK. Why? Because RFK is related to Chris's mother-in-law, Maria Shriver. Incidentally, Maria previously supported her cousin Caroline Kennedy after she wrote a scathing letter against RFK.
Bill began his question by saying, "I love [RFK]. I don't agree with everything," adding that some of the specifics of the HSS' beliefs could get "nutty." In response, Chris said, "I kinda feel the same way that you do. I've spent a number of occasions hanging with him, just in a strictly family dinner kind of vibe. And I really got along with him well. I think he's great. I think he's funny. I like him. I love him."
Agreeing with Bill that RFK's steadfastness over his oft-disproven beliefs is a "virtue," Chris said, "Politics, it's a nasty business. When you jump in — I'm not in politics obviously, but there's a certain as level to this in Hollywood, because Hollywood in itself is a political institution — and I've seen how the person you are can be such a contrast to the person that people are being told that you are. And you can go, 'Wow, that is, that is pure fiction.'"
Chris then alluded to his own controversies and social media rumors, saying, "I'm not there to defend myself. Nor am I gonna jump in and, and be mired in this story." He then brought up Proverb 26:20: "For lack of wood the fire goes out."
"In politics, you inherit enemies. When you jump on the bandwagon with the most divisive president ever, it makes sense that you're going to be made to look terrible. I don't know what to believe. It's not like I sit with Bobby and I go, 'So, hey, let's talk about this,'" he added. "We're just playing cards or playing mafia or having fun or having dinner. I'm not gonna pick his brain to find out exactly which of those things are true. I just kind of assume that none of them are, and for the most part, I wish him well, man."
"There's certain things that he oversees that seem to be supported in a bipartisan way, like getting terrible, toxic stuff out of our kids' food," he continued. "I'd hate to be so mired in hatred for the president that any success from his administration is something I'd have an allergic reaction to. Like, 'Oh, well, if they do it, I don't want it to happen. I put Clorox in my children's cereal myself.'"
A few days ago, AP News reported, "A report that U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promised will improve the health of America's children does not call on the government to make significant changes to its food or farming policies, according to a draft document obtained by The Associated Press."
Most recently in his tenure, the Health Secretary has cut $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccines being developed to fight things like the flu and COVID.
Charming stuff!
