Robert F Kennedy Jr, the nominee for US Health and Human Services Secretary, has caused a stir on social media after being filmed adding a mysterious blue liquid to his drink during a flight. The video, which emerged on Wednesday, shows the 72-year-old using a pipette to dispense several drops of a cobalt-blue substance into his glass.
The clip quickly went viral on X and Reddit, with many users speculating that the liquid was methylene blue, a dye often used in fish tanks and as a medication for a rare blood condition. One user commented, 'RFK Jr putting Methylene Blue in his water while flying is prime we’re so back,' while another called it 'one of the best-kept secrets in biohacking.'
Methylene blue is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating methemoglobinemia, a condition affecting oxygen transport in the blood. However, it has been promoted without evidence by some celebrities and influencers as a 'miracle drug' for cancer, ageing, and Covid-19. Actor Mel Gibson, for instance, claimed on a podcast that it helped friends with cancer, though such claims lack robust scientific backing.
The video comes as Kennedy awaits Senate confirmation after a contentious committee vote along party lines. He has a history of promoting unsubstantiated health theories, including linking vaccines to autism and suggesting fluoride in water is harmful. The Independent has contacted Kennedy and the White House for comment but has not yet received a response.
