RFK Jr. Viral Video Shows Him Catching Two Snakes Barehanded

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted a viral video showing him barehandedly catching two non-venomous snakes on a Florida estate, prompting reactions from his wife and widespread media attention. The incident is the latest in a series of his notable animal encounters, with a Romanian outlet also reporting on the viral footage.

26 May, 15:19 — 26 May, 23:42

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Why this matters

This story is significant as it contributes to the public persona of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent political figure, by showcasing an unusual and attention-grabbing personal act. Such viral moments can influence public perception and media narratives surrounding political figures, often overshadowing policy discussions.

Key entitiesRobert F. Kennedy Jr.Cheryl Hines Dr. Mehmet Oz X (formerly Twitter)

The Story

What 16 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. caught two snakes with his bare hands
A video of the incident went viral on social media
The event took place in Florida
His wife, Cheryl Hines, reacted with dismay or concern

Key claims3 agreed · 1 unverified

✓

RFK Jr. caught two nonvenomous snakes.

agreed·die-presseNYThindustan-timestmzFox News

✓

The snakes were black racer snakes.

agreed·Fox Newshindustan-timestmz

RFK Jr. was bitten by one of the snakes.

unverified·die-presseThe Guardian

✓

The video was posted on RFK Jr.'s X account.

agreed·hotnewsdigi24Fox Newsle-figaroklix-ba

Where they diverge

The nature of the snakes' activity

tmz

The snakes were 'having sex' or 'getting it on' when caught.

die-pressehotnewsNYTSCMPmorgunbladid+10 moreAPwapodigi24index-hrFox NewsThe Guardianklix-bahindustan-timesle-figaroYahoo

The snakes were simply present or 'wrangling' on a patio/property.

The location of the incident

digi24Fox NewsThe Guardianhindustan-timestmz

The incident occurred on the patio or at the home of Dr. Mehmet Oz.

die-pressehotnewsNYTSCMPmorgunbladid+6 moreAPwapoindex-hrklix-bale-figaroYahoo

The incident occurred on an unspecified property or terrace in Florida.

Coverage gaps

Warning to the public not to attempt similar actions

Reportedindex-hr

Missingdie-pressehotnewsNYT+12

Mention of RFK Jr. being bitten by one of the snakes

Reporteddie-presseThe Guardian

MissinghotnewsNYTSCMP+11

Coverage matrix(16 sources)

1–10 of 16

	AP	NYT	wapo	The Guardian	Fox News	SCMP	le-figaro	die-presse	morgunbladid	digi24
Warning to the public not to attempt similar actions
Mention of RFK Jr. being bitten by one of the snakes

Covered Divergent Not mentioned

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Excellent (100/100)

16 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 5/5 buckets covered33/33

Far L3

Far Left (3)

NYTwapoThe Guardian

Left3

Left (3)

hotnewsindex-hrYahoo

Center5

Center (5)

SCMPAPdigi24klix-batmz

Right4

Right (4)

die-pressemorgunbladidhindustan-timesle-figaro

Far R1

Far Right (1)

Fox News

Geographic diversity— 10 regions34/34

US6Romania2Austria1Hong Kong1Iceland1Croatia1UK1Bosnia1India1France1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

guardian

nytimes

wapo

index-hr

hotnews

yahoo

scmp

digi24

klix-ba

tmz

hindustan-times

die-presse

morgunbladid

le-figaro

foxnews

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

The GuardianleftleftsensationalMostly FactualFrames as 'bizarre wild' and 'another day in Florida'.

NYTcenter-leftcenter-leftanalyticalMostly FactualQuestions the appropriateness of the action.

Coverage leans: balanced

The coverage is largely neutral and descriptive, focusing on the viral nature of the video and the public's reaction, with some outlets providing additional context on RFK Jr.'s past animal encounters or the location.

Sources

Showing 9 of 16 sources

APVery High21h ago

RFK Jr. snatches snakes in viral video, the latest of his many animal encounters - AP News

RFK Jr. snatches snakes in viral video, the latest of his many animal encounters AP News

Read full article →

NYTMostly Factual20h ago

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Keeps Picking Up Snakes. Is He Doing It Right?

The health secretary wrangled two nonvenomous snakes while visiting Florida in a video that drew widespread attention.

By Neil Vigdor

Read full article →

wapoMostly Factual23h ago

RFK Jr. is now handling snakes. What does this mean?

Decoding the latest manly video from our secretary of health and human services.

By Monica Hesse

Read full article →

The GuardianMostly Factual1d ago

Another day in Florida: RFK Jr posts video of him wrestling two snakes

US health secretary gets nip from one of two serpents he grabbed at home of fellow Trump official Dr Oz Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr on Tuesday added to his lengthening catalog of bizarre wild animal encounters by posting to social media a video of himself in Florida wrestling with two snakes. Kennedy, who has previously admitted dumping the carcass of a bear cub in New York’s Central Park, and is also alleged to have cut the penis of a road-kill raccoon, is seen grabbing the pair of ...

By Richard Luscombe in Miami

Read full article →

Fox NewsMixed1d ago

RFK Jr barehands a pair of snakes on Dr. Oz's patio in wild video

RFK Jr. wrangles a pair of black racer snakes barehanded on Dr. Oz's patio as wife Cheryl Hines yells in dismay in a video shared on X Tuesday.

Read full article →

SCMPMostly Factual20h ago

RFK Jnr posts video of him grabbing 2 snakes, as his wife asks ‘why?’

A video of Robert F. Kennedy Jnr wrangling two snakes bare-handed captured the internet’s fascination on Tuesday, the latest animal encounter the US health secretary has shared publicly that has sparked intrigue and in some cases concern. Kennedy shared the clip of himself grabbing the tails of the non-venomous black racer snakes on his personal social media accounts, noting in the caption that he was removing them from the patio of Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Meh...

By Associated Press

Read full article →

YahooMostly Factual1d ago

RFK Jr. wrangles pair of snakes as wife, Cheryl Hines, looks on: ‘Honey, let them go!’

Read full article →

hindustan-timesMostly Factual1d ago

WATCH: RFK Jr grabs two snakes with bare hands at Dr Oz’s home; internet stunned

In a viral video, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. caught two black racer snakes at Mehmet Oz's home.

Read full article →

tmzMixed1d ago

RFK Jr. Double-Fists Snakes Having Sex

RFK Jr. was having a Steve Irwin moment when he grabbed 2 black snakes, bare-handed ... just as they were apparently in the process of getting it on! You see in the video he posted on Tuesday, from Dr. Oz's house ... the U.S. Secretary of Health…

By TMZ Staff

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: Yahoo · 26 May, 15:19|Full coverage: 16 · 16h|Window: 16h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

Yahoo26 May, 15:19First to report

RFK Jr. wrangles pair of snakes as wife, Cheryl Hines, looks on: ‘Honey, let them go!’

1h later

le-figaro26 May, 16:42

Robert Kennedy Jr publie une vidéo de lui en train d’attraper des serpents à mains nues

hindustan-times26 May, 16:47

WATCH: RFK Jr grabs two snakes with bare hands at Dr Oz’s home; internet stunned

tmz26 May, 17:01

RFK Jr. Double-Fists Snakes Having Sex

klix-ba26 May, 17:33

Američki ministar zgrozio suprugu: Golim rukama uhvatio par zmija pa se svemu smijao

The Guardian26 May, 17:48

Another day in Florida: RFK Jr posts video of him wrestling two snakes

Fox News26 May, 18:01

RFK Jr barehands a pair of snakes on Dr. Oz's patio in wild video

1h later

index-hr26 May, 19:19

VIDEO Trumpov ministar golim rukama hvata zmije

digi2426 May, 20:18

Robert Kennedy Jr. s-a luptat cu doi şerpi cu mâinile goale pe terasa lui Dr. Oz: „Bobby, eşti nebun!”

wapo26 May, 20:47

RFK Jr. is now handling snakes. What does this mean?

1h later

AP26 May, 21:56

RFK Jr. snatches snakes in viral video, the latest of his many animal encounters - AP News

2h later

morgunbladid26 May, 23:30

Myndskeið: Robert Kennedy á snákaveiðum

SCMP26 May, 23:32

RFK Jnr posts video of him grabbing 2 snakes, as his wife asks ‘why?’

NYT26 May, 23:42

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Keeps Picking Up Snakes. Is He Doing It Right?

5h later

hotnews27 May, 04:55

Robert F Kennedy Jr, filmat în timp ce apucă doi șerpi cu mâinile goale. „Bobby, te rog, dă-le drumul”

2h later

die-presse27 May, 07:15Latest update

„Why?“: US-Gesundheitsminister Kennedy nimmt zwei Schlangen in die Hand und wird gebissen

Story evolution

Initially, the narrative focused purely on the spectacle of the event and its viral spread. Over time, some outlets began to contextualize it within RFK Jr.'s broader public image and past behaviors, or to add details like the location and the type of snakes.

Video Release and Initial ViralityMay 26 afternoon

RFK Jr. posts the video on X, quickly gaining traction across social media platforms.

Widespread International CoverageMay 26 evening - May 27 morning

Numerous international news outlets pick up the story, emphasizing the viral nature and RFK Jr.'s wife's reaction.

Contextualization and InterpretationMay 26 late evening - May 27 morning

Some outlets begin to provide context, mentioning RFK Jr.'s past animal encounters or attempting to interpret the meaning behind his actions.

RFK Jr. Viral Video Shows Him Catching Two Snakes Barehanded

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims3 agreed · 1 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix(16 sources)

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

RFK Jr. snatches snakes in viral video, the latest of his many animal encounters - AP News

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Keeps Picking Up Snakes. Is He Doing It Right?

RFK Jr. is now handling snakes. What does this mean?

Another day in Florida: RFK Jr posts video of him wrestling two snakes

RFK Jr barehands a pair of snakes on Dr. Oz's patio in wild video

RFK Jnr posts video of him grabbing 2 snakes, as his wife asks ‘why?’

RFK Jr. wrangles pair of snakes as wife, Cheryl Hines, looks on: ‘Honey, let them go!’

WATCH: RFK Jr grabs two snakes with bare hands at Dr Oz’s home; internet stunned

RFK Jr. Double-Fists Snakes Having Sex

Coverage Timeline

RFK Jr. wrangles pair of snakes as wife, Cheryl Hines, looks on: ‘Honey, let them go!’

Robert Kennedy Jr publie une vidéo de lui en train d’attraper des serpents à mains nues

WATCH: RFK Jr grabs two snakes with bare hands at Dr Oz’s home; internet stunned

RFK Jr. Double-Fists Snakes Having Sex

Američki ministar zgrozio suprugu: Golim rukama uhvatio par zmija pa se svemu smijao

Another day in Florida: RFK Jr posts video of him wrestling two snakes

RFK Jr barehands a pair of snakes on Dr. Oz's patio in wild video

VIDEO Trumpov ministar golim rukama hvata zmije

Robert Kennedy Jr. s-a luptat cu doi şerpi cu mâinile goale pe terasa lui Dr. Oz: „Bobby, eşti nebun!”

RFK Jr. is now handling snakes. What does this mean?

RFK Jr. snatches snakes in viral video, the latest of his many animal encounters - AP News

Myndskeið: Robert Kennedy á snákaveiðum

RFK Jnr posts video of him grabbing 2 snakes, as his wife asks ‘why?’

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Keeps Picking Up Snakes. Is He Doing It Right?

Robert F Kennedy Jr, filmat în timp ce apucă doi șerpi cu mâinile goale. „Bobby, te rog, dă-le drumul”

„Why?“: US-Gesundheitsminister Kennedy nimmt zwei Schlangen in die Hand und wird gebissen

Story evolution

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Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims3 agreed · 1 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix(16 sources)

Story evolution

Political spectrum