What was supposed to be a tense Senate hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. quickly spiraled into an internet spectacle — all thanks to his sun-kissed look.
Instead of headlines focusing only on his policies, social media gave him a new nickname: “Microwaved Mel Gibson.”
The Internet Pounces on Kennedy’s Tan
Kennedy’s noticeably dark tan immediately set X (formerly Twitter) on fire.
Thousands of posts poured in comparing the Health and Human Services secretary to Hollywood actor Mel Gibson, and many users agreed the resemblance was striking.
Some of the most viral comments included people joking that whoever coined the phrase deserved a Pulitzer Prize.
One user even edited Kennedy’s face onto Gibson’s iconic Braveheart movie poster for extra laughs.
Not the First Time the Nickname Surfaced
While the phrase popped up earlier in the year, it gained new momentum after Kennedy’s appearance before the Senate Finance Committee.
For critics and meme-makers alike, his look became just as much a talking point as his policies.
Gibson and Kennedy’s Shared Political Space
The comparison also struck a political chord. Mel Gibson has recently been embraced by the MAGA movement, named earlier this year as a “special ambassador to Hollywood” alongside Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight.
Kennedy, now serving in Trump’s cabinet, finds himself in the same orbit.
A Contentious Day on Capitol Hill
The humor around Kennedy’s tan overshadowed what was actually a rough day for him in the Senate.
Lawmakers grilled him on several hot-button issues, including vaccines, autism, Medicaid, and the role of the Centers for Disease Control.
Democratic Senators Lead the Charge
Democrats were especially harsh, with Senator Ron Wyden accusing Kennedy of hypocrisy.
Wyden blasted him for calling himself a protector of children while having a history of flying on Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet.
Republicans Also Show Frustration
Even Republicans showed impatience.
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana — who ironically helped confirm Kennedy back in February — pressed him on contradictions.
Cassidy first asked if Kennedy believed Donald Trump deserved a Nobel Prize for Operation Warp Speed.
Kennedy agreed. But moments later, Cassidy challenged him over earlier remarks suggesting the COVID vaccine had killed more people than the virus itself.
Kennedy denied saying it, but the tension was obvious.
The Vaccine Debate Resurfaces
In exchanges with Colorado’s Senator Michael Bennet, Kennedy again raised concerns about the mRNA vaccine, pointing to rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in young males.
While medical experts acknowledge these risks, they also stress such cases are extremely rare and usually mild.
Past Lawsuits and Policy Moves
Cassidy further criticized Kennedy for previously participating in lawsuits that attempted to limit vaccine access.
Kennedy defended his position but was cut short as Cassidy’s time ran out.
Beyond the hearing, Kennedy has also drawn fire for canceling $500 million in mRNA vaccine research, dismissing 22 projects he argued failed to protect against respiratory infections like COVID and flu.
A Reputation That Follows Him
Kennedy’s controversial views aren’t new. Back in December 2021, he called the COVID-19 vaccine “the deadliest vaccine ever made.”
Now, as health secretary, those past claims continue to haunt him — and memes like “Microwaved Mel Gibson” only amplify the criticism.