Late night hosts went all in on jokes mocking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s brain “worm” diagnosis.
On Wednesday, Kennedy’s campaign team released a statement confirming his recovery from a rare brain parasite, a direct response to an article by The New York Times that brought up Kennedy’s prior health issues.
The Times had dug into a deposition the independent presidential candidate gave during his divorce from his second wife twelve years ago.
During divorce proceedings, Kennedy described how “his earning power had been diminished by his cognitive struggles,” that dated back to at least 2010, which caused him to get brain scans in fear of a tumor.
I offer to eat 5 more brain worms and still beat President Trump and President Biden in a debate.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) May 8, 2024
One of his doctors concluded that a dark spot was indeed a tumor and was scheduled to get it removed at Duke University Medical Center.
However, before he underwent the procedure, another doctor said that the abnormality on the scan was not a growth, but a cyst that “contained the remains of a parasite.”
Kennedy told the court that the spot “was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.”
His spokesperson, Stefanie Spear, confirmed to Reuters that RFK Jr. “traveled extensively in Africa, South America, and Asia in his work as an environmental advocate, and in one of those locations contracted a parasite”.
She assured the outlet that, “The issue was resolved more than 10 years ago, and he is in robust physical and mental health.”
Late night hosts had a field day with Kennedy’s diagnosis on Wednesday night.
ABC host Jimmy Kimmel took a jab at the independent candidates anti-vaccine stance on “Live!”
“For a guy who seems to believe doctors are con artists trying to scam you into getting a vaccine, he sure did get to one fast when a worm started eating his brain,” he quipped.
“The inside of his head is basically the movie ‘Dune,’ but you should definitely vote for him.”
After mocking Donald Trump for swearing during Stormy Daniels testimony at his hush money trial, “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon turned his attention towards Kennedy.
“RFK Jr. said that years ago, a doctor found a dead worm in his brain. And this is strange — instead of using de-wormer, he injected himself with the COVID vaccine,” Fallon began.
“He’s got it all wrong. His family’s like, ‘It’s true, but it still doesn’t explain why he’s like that.’ Apparently the worm was giving him all his ideas, like in ‘Ratatouille.’”
Fallon pretended to be Kennedy using a French “Ratatouille” accent. “It is not, uh — it is cold. I will warm it up,” he joked.
“The Late Show” covered the story with a cartoon titled “The Amazing Adventures of Worm in Brain-Man,” which set the lyrics “He’s got a worm in brain, insanity now explained,” to the Spider-Man theme song.
“Let’s dig in,” said “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert at the beginning of his monologue, “just like that worm did to RFK Jr.’s delicious frontal lobe.”
“Today, The New York Times published some newly discovered health records for the independent presidential candidate,” Colbert teed up.
Stephen Colbert makes fun of RFK Jr with the little hit piece by the New York Times on his "brain worm" diagnoses during a 2012 court case, desperately trying to cast doubt on his fitness! They must really be afraid if Colbert spends 5 mins attacking such a long shot nobody! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/vO5n23pDN4
— Nightwatch N8 (@NightwatchN8) May 9, 2024
“Turns out, back in 2010, RFK Jr. went to a doctor because he was experiencing some cognitive symptoms, like ‘memory loss and mental fogginess,’ as well as a tiny voice in his head going, ‘Let’s see, what wine pairs best with cerebellum?”
He addressed Kennedy fans, telling them they should “not despair” over the revelation as he teed up another joke.
“Just because he has sworn in a deposition that he has parasitic brain damage doesn’t mean he’s going to drop out, because Bobby Kennedy Jr. does not know the meaning of the word ‘quit’ — ’cause that information was in the part of the brain that the worm ate,” Colbert remarked.
“This explains everything, and nothing,” he added.
Kennedy does not seem shaken that the liberal news outlet found out about the parasite.
“I offer to eat 5 more brain worms and still beat President Trump and President Biden in a debate,” he tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.
“I feel confident of the result even with a six-worm handicap,” he added in a subsequent post.