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RFK Jr. Wrangles Snakes on Dr. Oz’s Patio

Supported

Claim checked

“RFK Jr. snatches two black racer snakes off Dr. Oz’s patio in bonkers video https://trib.al/ycd0poh”

Published

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Verdict

Supported

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was filmed capturing two black racer snakes with his bare hands on the patio of Dr. Mehmet Oz's home in Palm Beach, Florida. The claim is supported by video evidence shared by Kennedy himself on May 26, 2026, which shows him wrangling the reptiles while his wife, Cheryl Hines, and Dr. Oz look on.

  • The Event: Kennedy removed the snakes from the patio area while Dr. Oz questioned if they were biting.
  • The Location: The incident took place at the residence of Dr. Oz, who serves as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator.
  • The Witnesses: Kennedy's wife, actress Cheryl Hines, is heard in the video expressing concern and urging him to let the snakes go.

Reasoning

The claim is accurately supported by multiple news reports and social media posts from May 26, 2026. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., currently serving as the Health and Human Services Secretary, posted the video to his official X account. In the footage, he is seen handling two snakes identified as black racers, which are non-venomous but known for their speed and agility. The video captures a candid moment between high-ranking government officials, as Dr. Oz, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is heard describing the snakes' mouths as huge and asking about the risk of being bitten.

Kennedy's wife, Cheryl Hines, provides a vocal backdrop to the scene, repeatedly asking him to release the animals. This incident is consistent with Kennedy's public history of interacting with wildlife; sources note he has previously shared videos of himself relocating a rattlesnake in California and rescuing a starling at Dulles International Airport. The event has gained significant traction on social media, with users commenting on Kennedy's hands-on approach to nature even while holding a cabinet-level position.

Source quality: The verdict is based on direct video evidence shared by the subject (RFK Jr.) and reported by multiple news outlets including WJLA and WEAR-TV on the day of the event.

Key checks

  • Identification of the snakes: The snakes were identified by RFK Jr. and news reports as a pair of black racers.

  • Location of the incident: The event occurred on the patio of Dr. Oz's home in Palm Beach, Florida.

  • Presence of witnesses: The video includes audio and confirmation of Cheryl Hines and Dr. Oz being present during the snake removal.

Confidence

High

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