Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shares video of handling a rattlesnake in response to criticism

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared a video on Instagram on May 27, 2026, showing him handling a rattlesnake. This video was posted after social media users expressed concerns regarding his previous encounter with nonvenomous black racer snakes. In the video, Kennedy Jr. is seen responding to a report of a rattlesnake in his driveway, where he captures the snake and explains its characteristics. He identifies the snake as a Western Diamondback and discusses its features while handling it carefully. The video appears to address criticism from an earlier video where he handled two black racer snakes, prompting concern about the risks involved in his actions. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, black racer snakes are nonvenomous and generally harmless to humans.