A new book has made startling claims about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, suggesting that he was not as “sober” as he had publicly claimed. According to the book, Kennedy reportedly admitted to using psychedelic drugs, raising questions about his personal habits.
Secret Drug Confessions Revealed
The upcoming memoir by journalist Olivia Nuzzi alleges that Kennedy secretly used DMT, a powerful psychedelic drug, as recently as last year. DMT, or dimethyltryptamine, is a hallucinogenic substance that can create intense, short-lived visions and experiences sometimes described as near-death experiences.
The book claims that Kennedy, who has previously spoken about overcoming drug addiction decades ago, shared these experiences in private conversations with Nuzzi. Despite being seen as a figure who had long maintained sobriety, the revelations suggest that his relationship with mind-altering substances may have continued in secret.
Nuzzi describes the conversations as part of a digital-only relationship that lasted several months. Kennedy reportedly disclosed that he had been experimenting with DMT, while Nuzzi herself admitted to taking prescription stimulants such as Adderall.
Experts note that DMT is illegal in the United States and is classified as a substance with no approved medical use. It does not, however, produce withdrawal symptoms like other drugs, including heroin, which Kennedy struggled with in the past.
Background and Historical Context
Kennedy has been open in the past about his challenges with addiction. His struggles began in his teenage years and continued into adulthood. He reportedly used heroin as a teenager and into his late twenties, before claiming to have stopped in 1983. This timeline is notable because it precedes significant personal losses within his family, including the death of his brother from a drug overdose.
DMT, the drug mentioned in the new memoir, is chemically similar to substances found in magic mushrooms. It has been used traditionally for centuries in South America for spiritual and ritual purposes. In the U.S., it became popular as a recreational drug in the 1960s.
The memoir describes how Nuzzi and Kennedy became close after she interviewed him for a magazine profile in November 2023. Kennedy reportedly criticized the resulting article as a “hit piece” but continued to communicate privately. According to the book, this interaction eventually led to an emotional, digital-only relationship, during which Kennedy allegedly disclosed his drug use.
Personal and Professional Fallout
The alleged relationship and revelations have already had consequences for those involved. Nuzzi, who was engaged at the time, reportedly faced professional repercussions after the affair became public, including losing her position at a major news outlet. She has since joined Vanity Fair as an editor.
Kennedy, meanwhile, had recently ended his presidential campaign and later endorsed Donald Trump. He has since been confirmed in a key Cabinet position. According to the book, the relationship had ended months before these developments became public.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which Kennedy now leads, did not comment on the claims. Kennedy himself denies having any interactions with Nuzzi beyond the original magazine interview.
The book, which details both the alleged drug use and the emotional connection between the two, is scheduled for official release on December 2. The revelations are expected to generate attention due to the combination of personal, professional, and political elements.
The memoir also emphasizes the intensity of the digital-only relationship, noting exchanges of “I love yous” despite the lack of in-person meetings. This adds a human dimension to the narrative while highlighting the secrecy surrounding Kennedy’s alleged drug use.
Overall, the memoir paints a picture of Kennedy as a figure who has long been associated with overcoming personal challenges but may have continued to experiment with substances privately. The claims include both past struggles and recent behaviors, offering insight into the private life of a public figure whose professional and political roles carry significant weight.
