RFK Jr. defends Trump's 'sane' threat to destroy Iran

Health secretary claims Trump's social media post was a 'nuanced message' of 'brute force' and 'love'

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, fragmented painting in bold colors depicts a social media post with the text A fractured, abstract painting captures the divisive rhetoric and political tensions surrounding former President Trump's inflammatory social media posts.NYC Today

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. insisted that former President Donald Trump was "very, very sane" despite his threat to destroy Iran's entire civilization. During a congressional hearing, Kennedy argued that Trump's social media post included a "nuanced message" of both "brute force" and "love and compassion."

Why it matters

Kennedy's defense of Trump's inflammatory rhetoric raises concerns about the administration's approach to foreign policy and diplomacy, especially regarding sensitive geopolitical issues like Iran. It also highlights the ongoing political divisions and debates around Trump's mental fitness for office.

The details

During a House Education & Workforce Committee hearing, Rep. John Mannion (D-NY) noted that Kennedy had previously called Trump "the most sane president" following the threat to Iran. Kennedy explained that the "last line" of Trump's social media post included the message "God bless the Iranian people," suggesting a "nuanced" approach of both "brute force" to the Iranian government and "love and compassion" for the Iranian people.

  • The hearing took place on Friday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who defended former President Donald Trump's mental state and rhetoric regarding Iran.

Rep. John Mannion

A Democratic member of the House Education & Workforce Committee who questioned Kennedy about his defense of Trump's comments.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who threatened to destroy Iran's entire civilization in a social media post.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If you look at that Truth Social post, I was pointing out the last line of it as God bless the Iranian people. So it was clear that he was sending a nuanced message. He was sending a message of brute force and violence to the Mullahs to incentivize them to change, but also sending a message of love and compassion to the Iranian people.”

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services

“He's very, very sane. I'd say he's more sane than Uncle Joe Biden.”

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services

The takeaway

Kennedy's defense of Trump's inflammatory rhetoric raises concerns about the administration's approach to foreign policy and diplomacy, especially regarding sensitive geopolitical issues like Iran. It also highlights the ongoing political divisions and debates around Trump's mental fitness for office.