Overview
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made the admission on Thursday’s episode of This Past Weekend with Theo Von while discussing decades in recovery.
- Kennedy said he was not afraid of germs and argued addiction would kill him if he did not maintain daily treatment through meetings.
- He said he and about 15 others formed a self‑described “pirate group” that continued to meet in person after their usual venue closed during the pandemic.
- The clip drew wide attention online, with posts of the exchange racking up millions of views within hours, according to Newsweek.
- Kennedy, now the U.S. health secretary nominated by President Trump in January 2025 and confirmed the next month, has previously acknowledged a 1983 heroin arrest and a marijuana arrest at 16 and says he has been sober for more than 40 years.