Chris Pratt has recently sparked controversy by expressing positive remarks about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump. Pratt’s comments surfaced during a conversation on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, where he shared his experiences involving family dinners with Kennedy and praised aspects of his policy work, despite the ongoing political tensions surrounding the Kennedy family.
The actor, who is married to Katherine Schwarzenegger, Kennedy’s cousin, described his interactions with the political figure as centered around family rather than politics. Pratt said,
“He’s great. He’s funny, he’s wonderful. I love him.”
—Chris Pratt, Actor
This personal appreciation stands in contrast to the divisiveness associated with Kennedy’s public profile.
Pratt Highlights Bipartisan Support in Kennedy’s Food Safety Efforts
During the discussion, Pratt acknowledged specific initiatives led by Kennedy, notably efforts aimed at reducing toxic substances in children’s food. He emphasized the importance of non-partisan support in such health-related policies and articulated his frustration with political polarization, saying that opposing policy successes purely because of the administration responsible is unreasonable.
“There’s certain things [that Kennedy] oversees that seem to be supported in a bipartisan way, like getting terrible toxic stuff out of our kids’ food. I think that’s a great thing. If you just do that, that’s amazing. I’d hate to be so mired in hatred for the president that any success from his administration is something I’d be having an allergic reaction to. To be like, ‘Oh, well, if they do it, I don’t want it to happen. I’ll put Clorox in my children’s cereal myself! Be reasonable here. There’s certain things that would be a good thing to have. I want them all to be successful.” —Chris Pratt, Actor
Pratt’s remarks touched on Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, which targets the reduction of ultra-processed foods in the American diet. While this effort is praised for focusing on healthier foods, it has also attracted criticism due to Kennedy’s controversial stance on vaccines and his medical qualifications.
Public Reaction and the Weight of Family Ties
Kennedy’s close association with former President Trump has intensified scrutiny from those opposed to the MAGA movement, making Pratt’s compliments controversial in the eyes of many. Social media users swiftly responded, criticizing Pratt for appearing to support a figure widely regarded as divisive and whose policy positions have often been questioned.
Although Pratt has openly embraced conservative views, he has historically avoided publicly endorsing candidates like President Trump or Kamala Harris during elections. His marriage into the politically active Kennedy-Schwarzenegger family has brought him under closer observation, sometimes drawing out his political leanings despite his usual discretion.
Pratt suggested that Kennedy’s negative reputation is largely a consequence of his affiliation with Trump, stating,
“[But] when you jump on the bandwagon with the most divisive president ever, it makes sense that you’re going to be made to look terrible.”
—Chris Pratt, Actor
Uncertainty about Kennedy’s Policies Fuels Further Debate
Despite offering praise, Pratt admitted uncertainty about the accuracy of many Kennedy policies, explaining that political discussions rarely occur during their family gatherings.
“So I don’t know what to believe [about his reported policies]. It’s not like I say to Bobby, ‘Let’s talk about this’ while we’re playing cards or having fun or having dinner. I’m not going to pick his brain to find out exactly which of those things are true. I just assumed that none of them are? For the most part, I wish him well.” —Chris Pratt, Actor
This ambiguity in Pratt’s stance appears to have frustrated some observers, as he neither fully endorses nor rejects Kennedy’s controversial actions, instead remaining neutral, possibly to maintain family harmony.
The Challenge of Balancing Family and Politics for Public Figures
Actors like Pratt often face advice to avoid political commentary, especially when such discussions risk alienating fans. However, Pratt’s close familial connections to an overtly political figure have complicated this stance. His comments highlight the difficulty of separating personal relationships from public perception in today’s polarized climate.
As Pratt navigates the fallout from these remarks, it remains unclear whether he will clarify his position further or choose to step back from political discourse. Given the intensity of reactions, this situation underscores the complicated intersection between celebrity, family, and politics in modern America.
