Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is no stranger to public scrutiny (especially surrounding his wife and numerous kids), but during his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Health and Human Services, something unexpected took center stage: his voice. People across the country tuned in, expecting to hear about his policies and plans for American healthcare. Instead, many found themselves distracted by the strained, gravelly tone of his speech. “Why does RFK Jr. sound like that?” quickly became a trending search on Google, and once again, his lifelong battle with spasmodic dysphonia was thrown into the spotlight.
RFK Jr.’s Spasmodic Dysphonia Condition Explained
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s strained and gravelly speech has led many to ask, “Why does RFK Jr. sound like that?” His (raspy) voice condition is caused by spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological disease that affects the muscles controlling the vocal cords, leading to involuntary spasms and a choppy, strained sound. For decades, people have wondered “What’s wrong with RFK Jr.’s voice?”—and while there is no cure, treatments like Botox injections can help manage the symptoms.
RFK JR: “There’s no such thing as Republican children or Democratic children. These are our kids. 66% of them are damaged … And all these Democrats are opposed to me for partisan issues. They used to be my friends, agreed with me on all the environmental issues I’ve been… pic.twitter.com/CDyOlzjmDN
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 29, 2025
Kennedy, now 71, has lived with this rare neurological disorder for decades. His voice, once strong and commanding, began to change in 1996. Over the years, he’s been candid about his struggles with the condition, even admitting to the Los Angeles Times in 2024 that he “can’t stand” the way he sounds. “If I could sound better, I would,” he lamented. He has even speculated—without evidence—that a flu vaccine may have played a role in triggering the disorder, a theory that aligns with his controversial stance on vaccines. While his vocal challenges have long been a personal frustration, his high-profile confirmation hearing has pushed the topic into mainstream conversation.
So, what exactly is spasmodic dysphonia? According to experts like Dr. Phillip Song, a Harvard Medical School professor and the director of laryngology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, the condition is caused by involuntary spasms in the muscles of the larynx, commonly known as the voice box. These spasms interfere with the vocal cords’ ability to produce smooth, controlled speech. As a result, voices affected by spasmodic dysphonia often sound quivery, strained, or choppy. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that about 50,000 people in North America have the condition, though some reports suggest the number could be closer to 500,000. It predominantly affects middle-aged individuals and is more common in women than men.
RFK JR: “The first thing I’ve done every morning for the past 20 years – is get on my knees and pray to God that He would put me in a position to end the chronic disease epidemic and to help America’s children.”
This is exactly the man we need at HHS. pic.twitter.com/fLEcuDX9hv
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 29, 2025
Kennedy first suspected something was wrong when he started receiving letters from people who had seen him on television or heard him on the radio, suggesting he might have spasmodic dysphonia. He was officially diagnosed in the 1990s. Despite being a Kennedy—part of a family known for their powerful public speaking—he found himself struggling with a condition that made it difficult for people to listen to him. “I used to be able to talk to large halls without any amplification,” he recalled. “Now, I have a tremble in my voice … particularly when I first start talking.”
Doctors still don’t fully understand what causes spasmodic dysphonia. Some researchers believe it’s linked to abnormalities in the basal ganglia, a part of the brain responsible for coordinating muscle movement. Others, like Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh from Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California, suggest that central brain injuries or even genetic traits could contribute to its development. The complexity of the brain’s involvement in voice control makes pinpointing a singular cause challenging.
There is no known cure for spasmodic dysphonia, but treatments exist to help manage symptoms. The most common and effective approach is Botox injections directly into the vocal cord muscles. These injections temporarily relax the spasming muscles, allowing for smoother speech. The effects typically last between three and six months, requiring regular follow-ups. Kennedy himself has undergone these treatments, stating in a 2005 interview on The Diane Rehm Show that he received Botox shots every four months. However, he has also explored alternative therapies, including a 2023 surgery in Kyoto, Japan, where doctors implanted a “titanium bridge” in his vocal folds. Whether this surgery has provided any lasting relief remains unclear.
Some individuals with milder forms of the disorder benefit from voice therapy, which involves training techniques to improve vocal control. However, spasmodic dysphonia is generally considered a lifelong condition. “It will generally not go away on its own,” Dr. Mehdizadeh explains. For those in vocally demanding professions—such as teachers, politicians, and broadcasters—managing the disorder can be particularly challenging. Dr. Song notes that many of his patients time their Botox treatments around their professional schedules, such as teachers getting injections before the school year begins.
KASIE HUNT: Over the summer you said, “There’s no vaccine that’s safe and effective”. Do you still believe that?
RFK JR: “I never said that.”
KASIE HUNT: “Play the clip.”
RFK JR (clip): “There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.” (March 2024)
pic.twitter.com/QrjubgMHA7
— The Intellectualist (@highbrow_nobrow) January 27, 2025
The disorder’s visibility has surged in recent years, largely due to Kennedy’s increased public appearances. Dysphonia International, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about voice disorders, even created a special section on its website titled “What is Wrong with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Voice?” His voice, once a background element of his identity, is now one of the most talked-about aspects of his public persona. It has even affected his political ambitions. During a town hall event in 2024, amid his failed presidential campaign, he admitted, “I think it makes it problematic for people to listen to me. I cannot listen to myself on TV.”
Despite his frustrations, Kennedy continues to use his voice—both literally and figuratively—as he moves forward in his career. His confirmation hearing for the Secretary of Health and Human Services has reignited debates about his policy positions, including his stance on vaccines, climate change, and public health initiatives. Yet, even as lawmakers grill him on these topics, the public’s curiosity about his voice remains steadfast. The condition that once seemed like a personal obstacle has become a defining feature of his public identity, raising awareness about a rare disorder that affects thousands of people worldwide.
For Kennedy, the irony is inescapable. A man born into a family of orators, a man whose words have the power to influence national policy, is fighting a battle against his own voice. “If I could sound better, I would,” he said—a simple, moving statement that encapsulates the frustration of living with spasmodic dysphonia. His voice, whether strained or steady, will continue to be heard.
