Apple News In Conversation How RFK Jr.’s tumultuous past has shaped his convictions
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Dec 11, 2025 Michael Scherer, a staff writer for The Atlantic, dives into the complexities of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s life and his evolving role as Health and Human Services Secretary. He discusses Kennedy's early trauma, his fight against addiction, and how these experiences have shaped his controversial approaches to public health. Scherer also explores Kennedy's shift in political alliances, his scrutiny of vaccination policies, and the implications of his focus on parental autonomy in health decisions. The conversation reveals the layers behind Kennedy's convictions and their impact on public discourse.
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Access Behind The Headlines
- Michael Scherer spent many hours and traveled with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to report the profile.
- Kennedy warned Scherer his staff thought the interview was a mistake and said, "No one in your position ever treats me fairly."
From Privilege To Addiction
- Kennedy began heavy drug use at 15 and remained a heroin addict through college and early career.
- He overdosed on a plane at the turning point and then entered rehab, which became central to his life story.
Recovery As Identity
- Kennedy attends daily 12-step meetings and says recovery affects everything about him.
- He frames his life with heroic storytelling, likening himself to an orphaned King Arthur reclaiming a birthright.
