Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has acknowledged that he once shared actor Mark Ruffalo’s low opinion of President Donald Trump, revealing the admission during a public text exchange that escalated into a personal feud between the two men. The exchange, which unfolded over social media and text messages, drew attention to Kennedy’s shifting political allegiances and his current role in the Trump administration.
The dispute began when Ruffalo, best known for playing the Hulk in Marvel films, posted a critical message about Trump on social media. Kennedy responded directly, challenging the actor’s views and defending the president’s record on health and environmental issues. The exchange quickly became personal, with Ruffalo accusing Kennedy of betraying his earlier principles and Kennedy countering that Ruffalo was suffering from what he called «Trump Derangement Syndrome.»
In a subsequent text message that was later made public, Kennedy wrote to Ruffalo: «I used to think exactly like you. I was wrong. You are wrong too.» The admission was notable because Kennedy, a former Democrat and environmental activist, had been a vocal critic of Trump during the 2016 and 2020 elections. He ran for president as an independent in 2024 before dropping out and endorsing Trump, later accepting the position of Health and Human Services Secretary.
Kennedy’s shift has been a source of controversy, with many of his former supporters expressing dismay. Ruffalo, in his messages, accused Kennedy of «selling out» and abandoning the environmental and public health causes he once championed. Kennedy responded by arguing that the Biden administration and the Democratic Party had failed to address key issues such as chronic disease, environmental toxins, and corporate influence in government.
The feud highlights the broader political realignment taking place in the United States, as figures like Kennedy cross party lines and find common ground with former adversaries. Kennedy has framed his move as a pragmatic decision to advance policies he cares about, including reforming the Food and Drug Administration, addressing the chronic disease epidemic, and promoting environmental cleanup efforts. Critics, however, view his endorsement of Trump as a betrayal of his lifelong advocacy work.
Kennedy’s role as Health and Human Services Secretary has placed him at the center of several controversial policy debates. He has advocated for stricter regulation of pharmaceutical companies, greater scrutiny of vaccine safety, and increased funding for alternative medicine research. These positions have drawn both praise from some public health activists and criticism from mainstream medical organizations, which accuse him of promoting unproven treatments and undermining confidence in vaccines.
The text exchange with Ruffalo also touched on broader themes of political polarization and the difficulty of maintaining friendships across ideological divides. Kennedy noted that he and Ruffalo had once been allies on environmental issues, but that their political differences had made collaboration impossible. «I still respect Mark as an actor and as an activist,» Kennedy wrote. «But we disagree fundamentally about the direction of the country.»
Ruffalo, for his part, has not backed down from his criticism. In a follow-up post, he accused Kennedy of «gaslighting» the public and warned that the Trump administration’s health policies would harm vulnerable communities. The exchange has generated significant attention online, with commentators from both sides weighing in on the merits of Kennedy’s arguments and the sincerity of his conversion.
Political analysts have noted that Kennedy’s willingness to engage directly with a high-profile critic like Ruffalo reflects his unconventional approach to public office. Unlike many cabinet members, Kennedy has maintained an active presence on social media and has not shied away from personal confrontations. This approach has endeared him to some supporters who appreciate his directness, while alienating others who view it as unprofessional.
The feud also underscores the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the entertainment industry, which has largely been hostile to the president. Ruffalo is one of many Hollywood figures who have used their platforms to criticize Trump and his policies. Kennedy’s response suggests that the administration is willing to push back against celebrity criticism, rather than ignoring it as previous administrations might have done.
As the exchange continues to reverberate, it remains to be seen whether Kennedy and Ruffalo will find common ground or whether their feud will deepen. For now, the two men remain on opposite sides of a political divide that shows no signs of narrowing. Kennedy’s admission that he once shared Ruffalo’s views serves as a reminder of how dramatically the political landscape has shifted in recent years, and how personal relationships can be strained by ideological change.