The political arena is no stranger to bizarre twists and turns, but third-party presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken it to a whole new level. After reports of a brain worm allegedly residing in his cranium went viral, Kennedy made a bold claim that he could out-debate the election’s top contenders, even if he were to consume five more of these mysterious parasites. In a post on X-formerly-Twitter, Kennedy confidently stated, “I offer to eat five more brain worms and still beat President [Donald] Trump and President [Joe] Biden in a debate.”
The New York Times recently published a shocking exposé detailing Kennedy’s health battles from a decade ago. During that tumultuous time, he revealed that a doctor suspected his cognitive issues stemmed from an unidentified parasite that had entered his brain, feasted on a portion of his gray matter, and ultimately perished. In a 2012 divorce deposition, Kennedy also disclosed a diagnosis of mercury poisoning, attributing it to a diet rich in tuna and perch that resulted in his blood mercury levels soaring ten times above the EPA’s safety threshold.
While some speculate about the existence of a brain worm, parasitologist Scott Gardner of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln posits a different theory. Gardner highlights that invasive parasites in the brain typically calcify, essentially forming a tumor. Given Kennedy’s reported improvement post-chelation therapy and dietary changes, it appears that mercury poisoning likely caused his cognitive decline, rather than a lurking brain worm.
Despite medical evidence pointing towards mercury poisoning as the probable culprit, Kennedy humorously entertains the notion of ingesting more brain worms to assert his debate prowess. This tongue-in-cheek response comes amidst a historical incident where an Iowa woman ingested a tapeworm purchased online in a misguided weight-loss attempt, sparking a dangerous trend known as the “Tapeworm diet.”
As the political spectacle unfolds, one can only hope that Kennedy’s willingness to consume brain worms is a satirical nod to his newfound viral fame. The prospect of intentionally introducing parasites into one’s system is not only perilous but often illegal. With the election season already fraught with unpredictability, Kennedy’s eccentric antics may push the boundaries of absurdity even further, leaving spectators both amused and bewildered by the unfolding saga.