Overview
- Kennedy posted a roughly 49‑second clip showing him grabbing two intertwined black racer snakes on Dr. Mehmet Oz’s Palm Beach patio, with his wife Cheryl Hines heard pleading for him to put them down.
- Reporters and regional natural‑history authorities identified the snakes as non‑venomous black racers that will bite if cornered, and the footage shows the reptiles repeatedly snapping at Kennedy’s hands.
- Herpetologists cautioned that grabbing snakes by the tail or holding them for prolonged periods can stress or injure the animals, and they urged the public not to imitate the stunt.
- The video went viral and revived scrutiny of Kennedy’s long history of unusual animal encounters, prompting mixed public reaction ranging from mockery to praise and concern about his judgment as a cabinet official.
- In response to criticism, Kennedy reportedly later posted an Instagram clip showing a separate rattlesnake handling framed as a rescue, a follow‑up move that has further attracted media attention and debate.