Chris Pratt sparked controversy with his comments on RFK Jr., a cousin of his wife, Maria Shriver. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Theo Wargo/NBC via Getty Images, Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)Chris Pratt is facing criticism for his recent comments on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services and Pratt's cousin-in-law.
The Guardians of the Galaxy star is married to Katherine Schwarzenegger, the daughter of RFK Jr.'s first cousin, Maria Shriver. Speaking to Bill Maher on the talk show host's Club Random podcast, Pratt shared that he has spent considerable time with the politician in family settings."I think he's great. I think he's funny. I like him. I love him," Pratt said on the podcast, to which Maher, who called RFK Jr. "a friend," agreed.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhen it comes to Kennedy's views - which include skepticism of vaccines and a push to remove what he considers potentially harmful additives from food and pharmaceuticals - Pratt said he doesn't like to get involved in politics, especially when spending time with a relative at family gatherings."I don't know what to believe, 'cause it's not like I sit with Bobby and I go, 'So, hey, let's talk about this,'" Pratt said. "It's like, we're just playing cards or playing Mafia or having fun or having dinner. I'm not gonna pick his brain to find out exactly which of those things are true. I just kind of assume that none of them are. And, for the most part, I wish him well."Pratt said that he believes much of the public criticism of RFK Jr. has to do with his support of the "most divisive president ever."RFK Jr., who ran for president in 2024 before aligning himself with President Trump, has long been a controversial figure. Though he initially aligned himself with environmental movements early in his career, Kennedy has since been criticized for spreading conspiracy theories, and for promoting vaccine skepticism.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis personal life has also faced scrutiny, with members of his own family, such as his younger cousin Caroline Kennedy, calling his character into question during his confirmation hearings for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Pratt, however, did not speak to these controversies, instead praising Kennedy for his work with the food industry. Pratt said he's seen bipartisan support for things like "getting terrible toxic stuff out of our kids' food." As health secretary, Kennedy is currently working on phasing out artificial dyes from food products, as well as encouraging a move away from high fructose corn syrup, which Trump has also voiced support for. ."I'd hate to be so mired in hatred for the president that any success from his administration is something I'd be having allergic reaction to," the Parks and Recreation alum said. "To be like, 'Oh, well, if they do it, I don't want it to happen. ... I'll put Clorox in my children's cereal myself.'"Pratt's comments immediately stoked backlash on social media, with some calling Pratt out for supporting a man who they believe is damaging public health. Others, however, weren't surprised by Pratt's support given some of his past comments on political issues. The actor, who has not publicly identified as a Republican or Democrat, came under fire on social media in November 2024 after he published an op-ed on mother-in-law Shriver's online publication the Sunday Paper, in which he declined to endorse a candidate for the presidential election and called upon Americans to "focus instead on showing up for each other" in the wake of the divisive race.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAt the time, some argued that Pratt's words ignored the gravity of the election, with one person tweeting in response to the op-ed, "My life is at stake, the bodily autonomy of my fellow trans siblings and people who can get pregnant in general, of black people and immigrants, of anyone who disagrees with Trump's policies, and watching Chris Pratt say 'I see both sides' and 'it's not about who wins and loses.'"Four years before that, in the fall of 2020, Pratt was the target of a wave of social media criticism sparked by an initial post calling him the "worst Chris" in Hollywood, partially due to his association with Hillsong Church, which has been accused of homophobia. (Pratt later stated that the church welcomes everyone.) His Avengers co-star Mark Ruffalo, who often expresses his left-leaning politics online, came to Pratt's defense in a tweet in October 2020."You all, @prattprattpratt is as solid a man there is," Ruffalo wrote. "I know him personally, and instead of casting aspersions, look at how he lives his life. He is just not overtly political as a rule. This is a distraction. Let's keep our eyes on the prize, friends. We are so close now."Other Avengers costars including Zoe Saldana and Robert Downey Jr., as well as Marvel Cinematic Universe directors Anthony Russo and Joseph Russo,