Health Secretary RFK Jr. ruled out a 2028 Presidential run, saying any talk of a future Campaign was false and declaring his loyalty to President Trump. In a social media post, he called the speculation a flat-out lie and accused Washington lobby groups of trying to drive a wedge between him and Trump.
“I am not running for president in 2028,” Kennedy wrote on X. “My loyalty is to President Trump and the mission we have started.”
The statement came after far-right activist Laura Loomer questioned Kennedy’s commitment to Trump and targeted his top aide, Stefanie Spear. According to Loomer, Spear used her government position to lay the groundwork for Kennedy’s future presidential campaign.
In response, Kennedy defended his aide and framed the attacks as proof that his team is disrupting entrenched interests. “The swamp is in full panic mode,” he wrote. “DC lobby shops are laboring fiercely to drive a wedge between President Trump and me, hoping to thwart our team from dismantling the status quo and advancing the Make America Healthy Again agenda.”
He also praised Spear as “a fierce, loyal warrior for MAHA who proudly serves in the Trump Administration and works every day to advance President Trump’s vision for a healthier, stronger America.” He added that attacks on his staff show “we’re over the target.”
Kennedy Fires Back at Critics
The health secretary praised Trump’s performance extensively. “President Trump is delivering on every promise beyond my wildest dreams,” Kennedy wrote. Citing efforts in “ending war, protecting free speech, rebuilding American industry and the American middle class, delivering transparency and gold standard science, and breaking the grip of entrenched interests.”
Kennedy concluded by describing Trump as “the answer to my 20 year prayer that God would put me in a position to end the chronic disease epidemic” and committed to pursuing this mission “until the day he leaves office.”
Why Laura Loomer Matters in Trump World
Laura Loomer operates as Trump’s unofficial loyalty enforcer without any government role. However, she has pressured Trump to remove over 15 officials she viewed as disloyal to MAGA. Her social media posts reach millions and frequently drive personnel changes. Meanwhile, Kennedy became her target after his aide Stefanie Spear joined the July calls with Kennedy supporters. The calls featured Russell Brand, Tony Robbins, and Dr. Robert Malone, with undisclosed financial pledges. Some attendees left thinking RFK Jr. might consider a Presidential run in 2028. Following this, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra criticized the fundraising activity as troubling for a super PAC supporting a cabinet secretary.
The episode reflects growing tensions within Trump’s movement. MAGA loyalists question whether a Kennedy can fully embrace Trump’s agenda, given his environmental past and previous Trump criticism. Before endorsing Trump, Kennedy had called him part of the Washington establishment who would fuel debt, wars, and division.
Critics worry about Kennedy’s staff picks, saying he relies too much on Democrats and personal ties instead of conservative credentials. White House adviser Calley Means defended Kennedy, arguing that pharma lobbyists want to divide MAHA and MAGA. Kennedy claims industry groups are funding internal attacks to block his reforms.
How Kennedy Landed at the Health Department
Kennedy’s path to health secretary began with his 2024 presidential run. He first challenged President Biden in the Democratic primary, then mounted an independent campaign centered on America’s chronic disease crisis. At his peak, he polled around 15%, the strongest showing for an independent since Ross Perot in 1992.
He ended his campaign in August 2024. Backing Trump in exchange for a health policy role. His campaign account remains open and has cleared its debts. Trump nominated him for health secretary that November, despite pushback from some advisers. The choice surprised many, given Kennedy’s history of vaccine skepticism and environmental activism. He was sworn in as the 26th Health Secretary in February 13, 2025.
Now he runs a $2 trillion operation that includes the NIH, CDC, FDA, and Medicare. His “Make America Healthy Again” plan targets chronic disease, food safety reforms, and what he calls corporate capture of health agencies. Still, the effort has drawn resistance from pharmaceutical and food industry groups, which Kennedy says are funding attacks on his leadership.
What This Means for 2028 Republicans
Kennedy’s statement removes a potential wild card from the 2028 Republican race. Vice President JD Vance appears positioned as Trump’s preferred successor, and recent polling shows Vance leading potential 2028 Republican candidates. Given that mix of name recognition and MAGA ties, some in the party wondered whether RFK, even as Jr., might seek a Presidential path and build a 2028 Campaign message.
His decision to step aside reinforces administration unity behind Trump’s agenda. Meanwhile, the episode shows how early positioning for 2028 is already influencing current administration dynamics. With activists like Loomer monitoring for signs that officials might be prioritizing future campaigns over current responsibilities.
The Road Ahead for Kennedy
Kennedy’s loyalty statement ended questions about his ambitions and showed that figures like Loomer still hold influence in Trump’s circle. Mentions of RFK Jr., a Presidential bid, and the 2028 Campaign were raised only to be dismissed. It also showed the pressure officials face to prove loyalty, even when they run major departments and carry out campaign promises. The episode highlighted Kennedy’s outsider status, as he must defend his place even while holding a cabinet post and advancing Trump’s health agenda. His pledge now lets him focus on health policy without constant doubts about his motives.
His future depends on two things: keeping Trump’s support and delivering results in health care. The “Make America Healthy Again” plan faces opposition from industries and skepticism from conservatives, while his allies continue building grassroots networks that could support future campaigns. His main challenge is balancing political battles inside the administration with the work of reform. In Trump’s world, loyalty and policy compete for priority, and for Kennedy, proving both may shape his future.