RFK Jr. campaign says he is healthy amid brain worm report

RFK Jr.'s presidential campaign is responding to new reports that he suffered memory loss due to a parasitic worm in his brain. CBS News campaign reporter Allison Novelo has the details.
CBS News 24/7 is the premier anchored streaming news service from CBS News and Stations that is available free to everyone with access to the internet and is the destination for breaking news, live events, original reporting and storytelling, and programs from CBS News and Stations' top anchors and correspondents working locally, nationally and around the globe. It is available on more than 30 platforms across mobile, desktop and connected TVs for free, as well as CBSNews.com and Paramount+ and live in 91 countries.
Subscribe to the CBS News KZbin channel: / cbsnews
Watch CBS News 24/7: cbsnews.com/live/
Download the CBS News app: cbsnews.com/mobile/
Follow CBS News on Instagram: / cbsnews
Like CBS News on Facebook: / cbsnews
Follow CBS News on X: / cbsnews
Subscribe to our newsletters: cbsnews.com/newsletters/
Try Paramount+ free: paramountplus.com/?ftag=PPM-0...
For video licensing inquiries, contact: [e-mail]

[@smccann1998]

You know when you need to resort to name calling and digging up reports from more than 10 years ago instead of actually tackling someone's opinions in a mature manner, you are in fact the one who has lost the plot.

[@jenniferdenmark6123]

Well said. Reading these comments is like living Idiocracy (2006); literally living it.

[@aaronwilson8403]

Welcome to the next Democrat candidate. When they kick Biden out? They have no other choice.

[@Braindance98]

How is this considered news or a developing story? This occurred 12 years ago, he was then treated and recovered.

[@aguilarcreative]

Mmmkay. Because he and his campaign are unable to lie about any medical condition. I guess. -He cannot even discern what truth is and spends his time sharing conspiracy theories

[@dreamweaver1603]

Because they are trying to destroy anyone running against Joe Biden.

[@mikemondano3624]

Eaten brains don't grow back.

[@MarcosElMalo2]

How can you say he recovered? He’s still dragging around RFKJ. This is a permanent condition. If the worm has RFKJ removed, the worm could die.

[@tracyrains8470]

Grow up

[@user-lw1pm8qi1h]

Now that worm was eating, so it was definitely shitting.

[@MarcosElMalo2]

😂 This is really the funniest of many funny comments.

[@Peter_S_]

The worm died of malnutrition and mercury poisoning.

[@brotherbig4651]

Died of starvation.

[@Tortilla.Reform]

The brain worm might explain why he uses public bathrooms barefoot

[@arbyjack2552]

Right up there with Biden falling off stages and shaking hands with invisible people.😂

[@tenderprecious]

😂😂😂

[@Powerfulchange712]

@@Tortilla.Reform😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@geegaw1535]

The worm is still in there calling the shots.

[@Addy-745]

Lol 😆

[@mikemondano3624]

Yeah, he found the mouth lever, but he forgot to oil it.

Cool... Way to stigmatize getting parasites and almost dying... I had a close friend that died of brain parasites. Grow up...

[@takeysha2332]

😭💀

[@Farcehole]

Brain Worm 2024!

[@lindaadams2315]

It came from undercooked pork traveling out of the country. This happened to a friend of mine too. He was put on a anti parasitic drug that took care of his.

[@Freerider93]

I don't care if it was taken care of. Worms ate his brain.

[@lindaadams2315]

@@Freerider93 Why don't you do a little research, huh? “Yes, the worms are not feeding the brain. They are living in the brain,” Dr. Peter Hotez said. The worms get nutrients from the body, but they are not eating the brain tissue, he said.

[@supergram7409]

What medication is my point ? Maybe a horse dewormer ?

[@ParmesanTrees]

@@supergram7409 asking for a friend?

[@sylviewalker7560]

Ivermectin...by any chance?

[@slizoski26]

Suddenly democrats are concerned with the mental ability of a candidate 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@emmittmatthews8636]

😂😂😂 Right?? It's so hilarious.

[@aaaaaaaaaa7814]

We're more concerned about if a candidate is telling everyone to drink disinfectant, to NOT worry about a pandemic which ends up killing over a million Americans, and to reject the legitimate results of an election, AND who illegally used tear gas and helicopters against peaceful protesters, AND who attempted to reveal nuclear secrets multiple times, AND who gave hush money to cover up previous affairs, AND who wants to decrease funding for education, AND who stole countless top secret files from the White House (and showed them to people), and much much much more which I don't have time to tell you about.

[@kchen1987]

Wasn't rfk running as a dem? Oh wait

[@seanheald7187]

That is what the worm wants us to believe

[@greglr19751]

This explains so much.

[@mray8519]

Yes, yes indeed, we all suspected this but were too polite to say it out loud.

[@mlbrooks4066]

It's not the brain worm thing that makes me think he's unhealthy. It's every else he says.

[@scillyautomatic]

You mean the things he says that are verboten among Democrats? That is what makes the rest of the world respect him.

[@sylviewalker7560]

If you had any idea what is in your gut biome, lower and upper intestine etc.

[@mikemondano3624]

We all do.

[@Mikewee777]

​@@mikemondano3624 most consumers are clueless. There are bugs in cherry soda

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Yes, but we don’t have RFKJ brain worms in our gut biomes. At least not yet.

[@user-xk4do9ex2f]

I have diarrhea. I'm getting concerned.

[@julioochoa8613]

​@@user-xk4do9ex2f😆😆Just get some Pepto Bismol. If that doesn't help go see a doctor.

[@Georgedunkin7473]

Is the brain worm still calling the shots? Like the time he went in the airplanes bathroom barefoot? That’s got to be the worm in control?!

[@mikemondano3624]

Yes, worms are widely known to forget their shoes.

[@Georgedunkin7473]

@@mikemondano3624 I knew it!

[@Tortilla.Reform]

@@mikemondano3624As a worm, I can confirm

[@MarsCapone]

Funny you say that. Pin worm epidemic in the southern united states was spread through outhouses being used barefoot. Man. What’s wrong with shoes? They have a purpose. Like vaccines.

[@drscopeify]

All 3 have strange psychological issues, Biden was fumbling around even during the first Obama presidency as VP and we all know Trump is crazy even though I voted for him in 2016 and 2020, but he was the GOP guy so what else can I do? And yes he failed even as a conservative, Trump added more guns to the ATF list like bumpps stocks and all the others so even as a Conservative I heavily dislike him, we should have much better candidates. These old baby boomers need to go and we need fresh people, much younger with new ideas take leadership. Lets all hope the next election cycle in 2028 is much better.

[@Snutz.D]

What's wrong with this country? Everything! These candidates are really the best the country has to offer?

[@JamesClark-lw6sw]

WHY DON'T YOU RUN, JACKAZZ?

[@america_is_a_myth]

Ikr!!!😂😂😂

[@drscopeify]

It's the old generation all 3 candidates are baby boomers, well biden is on the edge, just at the end of the great generation, but soon that will change and we will have all new candidates. Both Trump and Biden are on their last term anyway.

[@BonnieBunny118]

Kennedy didn’t even do anything wrong?

[@coffeetime1707]

She said worm brains...😂🤣

[@jaxonboys3366]

The chairman of the senior living center, the psychopath or the victim of brain parasites. Take your pick. Make it a good one though! This country needs a leader, and that is the best we can put forward.

[@mikemondano3624]

Looks like he's listing to port. The worm must be on the move.

[@drscopeify]

LOL he might need to flood his opposite pants pocket with water it might correct the list.

[@FirstnameLastname-ge7hz]

The high I Q news anchor said “worm brains” 😂😂😂 I think RFK isn’t the only one suffering from “worm brains” 😂

[@tenderprecious]

😂😂😂

[@dannyechevarria6900]

Biden too lol 😂

[@user-gb5hx2zx6n]

@@dannyechevarria6900 Actually.......it's Trump that would be more likely to have it. Joe's brain is fine..........it's Trump that is CLEARLY exhibiting significant dementia.....likely Alzheimer's, as his father had it.

[@ParmesanTrees]

That was an honest mistake. People do that all the time and I’m sure you have too. It’s not a reflection of anything. You not knowing that though 🤔

[@tenderprecious]

@@ParmesanTrees sounds like excuses made for a "Professional" News Anchorwoman

[@Noconstitutionfordemocrats1]

The serpent has taken up residence in his head.

[@jimharrow8104]

The worm should get rid of Kennedy and run as a independent...

[@marianmoses9604]

😂

[@drscopeify]

Well if the worm wins forget fishing with worms ever again lol.

[@sharonramone9178]

Brilliant comment!

[@deedeewinfrey3181]

He seemed extremely intelligent when I met him.

[@dreamweaver1603]

Of course he is. This is just the media circling the wagons around Biden, absurdly trying to make it appear that Biden is smarter than RFK.

[@Magix210]

I think when you met him you caught the worm.

[@ketchem23r77]

Who the worm?

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Did you get the worm’s autograph?

[@archaeopteryx981]

Did you give him a math problem? Did he use big words?

[@dylanthomas12321]

I wish he had s chance, but the two parties will work together to keep him out. And so it goes

[@curiouscampbell5447]

Shoulda got those vaxs...

[@joelhenderson1252]

Why so he could join the millions w cardiac trouble now? Look at the data. Lmao

[@artzinrezidenc]

It’s important to note that the worm did not survive the journey

[@thelemon5069]

"My brain is poison" "I am also fit to be president"

[@user-lx7zg4vu5b]

With Trump and Biden running. I think you could win. I would vote for you before I would one of them.

[@ghostmantagshome-er6pb]

Just put a " D" next to your name and no one will notice.

[@user-lx7zg4vu5b]

@@ghostmantagshome-er6pb he can't do that. Trump will think the D stands for Donald.

[@twinkleblink3073]

First question the interviewer barely avoided... "Just what goes through your head exactly, concerning this?"

[@nicknickleby5888]

Is the brain bug cause and effect for his voice issue? Anymore in his cranium?

[@jleo8656]

It's actually a bad side effect from a flu vaccine he took. Feel free to Google it of you don't believe me.

[@Vendea]

Voice issue is a separate disfunction. The bug is dead and the haziness and memory loss he experienced was back in 2012. He fully recovered.

[@jleo8656]

His vocal cords are permanently damaged from a side effect of a flu vaccine he took years ago.

[@drscopeify]

@@Vendea You cannot really fully recover from brain damage, any cells lost are permanent that is why drug users have mental issues for life. Even if they stop taking drugs they are forever stuck with mental issues. It's the most unfortunate aspect of human life is that brain damage is permanent which is why drug use is such a problem. Some people who take physical damage to the brain like from falling down can re-learn things so the brain can adjust and re-learn using new/other cells but it's never the same and any recovery is more of a re-learning process but anything lost is gone and risk of mental issues depends on the severity or parts of the brain impacted.

[@theCommentDevil]

He's being Ratatouilled by worms

[@Tortilla.Reform]

That is a *hilarious* image, thank you

[@jasonhare8540]

He already said the worm ate some of his brain. I mean I think we all suspected something like that but that's hardly the point. You can't be missing sections of your brain but also be in perfect health. You've got brain damage my man

[@FuzzyStayBuzzin183]

The worm is the one who's in control now

[@J4sse]

What the hell?

[@rudeawakening3833]

This man could actually get things DONE in Washington - but because he isn’t in “ the club “ these ignorant things are being brought up to discredit him . Actually LISTEN to his interviews ! He doesn’t focus on mudslinging the other two men ; however he focuses on the ISSUES AND WHAT HIS PLANS ARE TO RESOLVE THEM like a grown man . He would NOT loose respect on the world stage , and he just MIGHT close some of the racial differences in this country as his uncle and his father before him … Peace ☮️

[@keithkennedy2725]

When your party doesn’t want you around I guess they’ll say anything.. This is really bazar and definitely a first and very creative..

[@dsan2509]

It’s the Trump effect

[@Tortilla.Reform]

You’re acting like this is a conspiracy theory to get him out and slander him, when RFK confirmed it? The victim complex of you people is hilarious

[@collierjonathan1]

Everyone acts as if he said this yesterday, when it was pulled out of a divorce deposition more than a decade ago. “12 years ago RFK said….” Got to dig deep for the dirt. RIP American journalism.

[@Paradys8]

He had a recent surgery? Is he ok?

[@mattsteve7229]

This is just a smear campaign against him and it seems to be doing very well with the bottom feeders

[@Bluesit32]

How is it a smear campaign when he's the one who made the claim?

[@beeb6809]

​@Bluesit32 they said it happened over ten years ago and it was revealed in a court deposition. It's a smear to bring it up now right before the election when it clearly has no affect on the current situation. Why didn't we get this report the day he announced?

[@imjamesiam]

The worm is more qualified to run for president…

[@dannyechevarria6900]

Lol good one ☝️ 😂

[@peterinbrat]

Yeah, he also says we should eat more raw fish. That's the worm talking..

[@COUNTINGSLURPULA]

One doesn't just catch brain worms.

[@TroyRubert]

If Howard Dean lost to a beyaw, how RFK can stay in is beyond me.

[@carolbrownleehalbert3593]

I have so much respect for Senator John Kennedy!!!

[@Nic-kh9kr]

No one ever survives the brain worm!

[@trilithon108]

I had a feeling it was brainworm or similar.😮

[@GrampaGrizzle]

All he had to say, was he shot a puppy

[@extrasolar213]

his campaign release didnt give enough relevant info to remove what doesnt even have to be relevant doubt. almost like they said, this may or may not have happened because he is an environmental resource management guru and conservationist champion risking his life around the world for the cause, what genocide joe wishes he was, and not some tragic victim vet shot down mid air then eaten alive by cannibals.

[@BlueEyed888]

Did he get the worm from Ricardo Montalban?

[@prepareahead8494]

Why are they laughing about this?

[@BigBandelero]

Exactly. Nothing funny about it.

[@deadLEE15]

It is hilarious. These are our presidential candidates....

[@jleo8656]

The legacy media is nothing but propaganda for the government, and the establishment is scared of his growing support. Simple smear tactics.

[@KMFDM_Kid2000]

1.) Because it explains a lot 2.) brain worms is a bit of a meme for at least a decade now 3.) he exhibits all the signs of having them 4.) it's actually hilarious

[@drscopeify]

Its funny because RFK is a clown so when you see a clown dance you are suppose to laugh

[@Paratrooper.3695]

Odd thing to do .. run for president & immediately then tell the world you had worms wiggling around In Your Brain.

[@matt3024]

I think it's safe to say that if it were any other victim of electoral 'roadkill ,that you wouldn't be giving him air- time!

[@kaistockman6443]

Maybe physically but I don’t think mentally. Some of his former friends have said he’s changed and basically what the heck happened. Not sure if it’s the brain worms or his mental health is why he claims brain worms but something is definitely wrong.

[@EnigmaParadox-pk4ce]

That would explain his bizarre rants of late.

[@heathenanimal792]

love how all our candidates are decaying 💀

[@jimmyalfonda3536]

This dude got literal brainworms. Omg.

[@edhart9409]

Don’t look at his bad eye.

[@quarkybill]

The cysts caused by the pork tapeworm larvae may show up on CT and MRI with the same density as CSF but they almost always have a bright ring around them of calcification and some enhancement on MRI. In addition the larvae might be seen in the middle giving it the classic bullseye sign. Often they are just incidental findings... Sometimes they can be associated with seizures. And rarely they can be large enough or ill placed enough to cause hydrocephalus and all it's attendant features. I would have two questions: 1) Did RFK Jr., a great medical contrarian, take the usually prescribed anti-parasitic agent, usually albendazole which can have side-effects? And 2) this was at the time of his divorce from his second wife, who soon thereafter hung herself while under the influence. But we're both of them back to using drugs at this time 2019-2012 (RFK Jr.'s youthful heroin habit is well known... And to his credit he often speaks about this.). Also, isn't it time that America elected a President again who wasn't a serial adulterer?

[@19trebor53]

RFK thinks he’s okay but the worm is in critical condition.

[@leekendrick8292]

Is this being filmed on a controlled stage or a cafeteria of some kind? The background conversations are distracting. I guess CBS doesn't take this brain worm story seriously either.

[@victordelorientis8763]

You can get these worms everywhere if you don't cook your food properly. Raw meat and under-cooked meat is very common unfortunately. For example, How do like your steaks? Do you like tartare? Do you like raw bacon? If you do you should take antiparasitic drugs at least once a year.

[@tenderprecious]

Why do I feel like we are living in Bikini Bottom and RFK is Really SpongeBob

[@AC-ju5yu]

The worms ran out of food years ago and left.

[@rrai1999]

Who would vote for someone who had a worm eat their brain?

[@user-iy8yh4jc4l]

Well, they voted in a senator that had a stroke. Could only use half his brain. And had to learn how to talk again.

[@kennedypainting11]

The elephant in the room

[@bemeek]

Who would vote for someone who showered with their 14-year-old?

[@Tortilla.Reform]

@@bemeekProbably people who don’t know about that, including me. Who are you talking about?

[@beeb6809]

​@@Tortilla.ReformJoe

[@human_bot_]

This dude is a charlatan, just like any other politician. He is a career politician who was simply saying what people want to hear. You know it's bad when your own family won't even back you.

[@Tortilla.Reform]

The guy with brain worms is the same guy who uses public bathrooms barefoot? That tracks

[@DiannaGold]

The issue isn't the worm in his head. the fact that he is a worm is a bigger problem

[@madtheghost337]

How do you know if you have a brain worm? Asking for a friend... ....and not sleeping tonight 🪱🧠

[@danstrayer111]

If this is his idea of "healthy", I'd like to know what "sick" looks like.

[@loveabides3982]

This is the first manifestation of Vicki Dillard's warning. ⚠️ APTTMHG!

[@user-xk4do9ex2f]

Reminds me of that "Night Gallery" episode where the earwhig was planted in a guy's ear and laid eggs in his brain.

[@ronspeth7095]

Compare him to any of other Kennedys. He's not like them

[@jleo8656]

He's better than all those in his family that are against him. His father and uncle would be proud.

[@marketads1]

Some people wanna have it both ways. I can’t pay my ex-wife because of my brain but I can be president. An ex president said he wouldn’t do business when he was president but he signed checks in the White House. Now he says that he was too busy in the White House and didn’t know what he was signing, but he should still be elected because he knows what he’s doing

[@gandhithegreat328]

He killed all his momentum when he didn’t pick Aaron Rogers as VP

[@ui888iu]

He's toast, nobody wants worm voided brain as leader....oh wait.......

[@danielle6470]

I've always wonderd about why he has facial ticks and why his voice is so hoarse. I believe in Mr. Kennedy despite ❤️ Save us, RFK Jr. 🇺🇸

[@jleo8656]

I haven't detected and facial tics, but his vocal cords are permanently damaged from a bad side effect from a flu vaccine he took years ago. He really is the best bet for our country!

[@djgrab1]

Hard hitting convo there

[@jarichards99utube]

2024 Slogan: "MAKE AMERICA DECENT AGAIN, RFK ALL The Way...! "

[@supergram7409]

What was the treatment ??

[@dannmarceau9743]

Hartz De-Wormer

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Apparently the worm still has RFKJ and no prospects for having him removed.

[@dbone7940]

Ivermectin

[@sorrynormal6551]

tiger blood and adonis DNA

[@anonone8954]

Listening to Joe Biden trying to give a speech. The side effects aren't worth the risk for most people, though.

[@poppystars9005]

Why won’t they ever interview him about issues. Scared he makes sense?

[@KK-111]

They don't really want to know facts- too 'inconvenient'... The DNC, Biden admin, and other corporations have too much investment ($) in making sure that the public believes lies, rather than actual facts.

[@BoltRM]

They did.

[@poppystars9005]

@@BoltRM no they just pushed him out of the Democrats primary.

[@mikemondano3624]

No one cares about the worm's opinions.

[@BoltRM]

@@poppystars9005 Maybe if the GOP had prevented 🍄 from running they wouldn't be on their last legs (party bankrupt) & democracy be at risk.

[@gailhall6283]

His brain is wasted. Sad.

[@peterjensen5110]

Hope he okay

[@Taino13]

You know the worm? Because the worm is the word… 😂😂😂😂

[@Olly.sunshine]

Rich as heck and he gets a worm? Ive slept on the ground no worm

[@cav4353]

Yet. It's hatching.

[@julioochoa8613]

​@@cav4353😂😂😂

[@richardareed3512]

The worm removed the part of the brain for reasoning and cognitive speech

[@williestyle35]

2:20 anyone that has ever heard or saw any long form interview with RFK, Jr would be an to see his mental acuity is not what he says it is. But I will concede RFK, Jr can be more aware and engaged than the two others, for whatever that is worth. But, RFK Jr's voice and timbre are of a man that is headed for a stroke, unfortunately.

[@rudester7557]

His IQ plummeted when the worm died.

[@jleo8656]

The man talks for hours on end on various platforms and podcasts, citing poetry, history, case law, etc. He has an almost encyclopedic memory of various topics, and is succinct and thoughtful in his manner. He's litigated against corporate giants Monsanto and DuPont and won millions for his clients. Written numerous New York Times number one best sellers. Won Time Magazine's Hero's of Our Planet award. Not bad for a diminished IQ. How does your life and achievements compare?

[@RJDebeau]

Sounds like a good idea to listen to the man himself… he is trying to become president, it’s got to be more than the family name!? Seems to have a LOT of supporters. As a US Citizen and a baby boomer, personally I feel it’s my duty to our country to find out for myself who this man is. 🗽🇺🇸🌎🕊️🙏🏼👨🏼‍🌾

[@gazisher2372]

Then why does he speak with a stutter?

[@Hansen23900]

I heard it was from a bad vaccine reaction.

[@DonaldDucksRevenge]

I love brainwormed candidate

[@mray8519]

I think the worms ate the part of his brain that would caution against telling people you have worms eating your brains. 😂😂😂

[@ricktatro7982]

We dont need another comprised leader !!!!!!!

[@porterandrews5453]

Yeah brain does not resolve after that, it can’t

[@tapptom]

The worm will be trumps VP I’d bet!!!

[@13Bravo77]

Can only imagine what's going on in Bidens brain. Shouldn't that be the issue at hand?

[@jeannelipham2583]

@arbyjack2552 I think you misquote the name. You must mean Trump.

[@jeffrunyan2691]

:50 "worm brains". 😳🙄

[@ahsokatano4416]

This is back in 2012 why are we making it such a big deal. We have 3 choices and he’s obviously the most mentally sound

[@jleo8656]

I absolutely agree with you. It's quite simple though really, the legacy media is nothing but propaganda owned by the government and their corporate overlords. The establishment is scared of his growing support so they are going to smear him however they can.

[@TheJeffsherman]

I hear Shari Redstone got a brain worm too

[@daveehh3687]

Definitely a spice worm from the spice planet

[@voodoo7008]

Brane warm?! Do we all haf’um?

[@marthasimons7940]

RFK, Jr. is just worming out of a useless campaign.

[@petertuohy2886]

Is that RFK jr or the worm talking?

[@ParmesanTrees]

Parasitic worm brains 😂 that’s such a burn. It’s crazy what a difference two misplaced words can be. No offense, that would totally happen to me, too.