RFK Jr. Defends Trump’s Threat to Destroy Iran’s “Whole Civilization” as Genius Negotiating

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended President Donald Trump on Friday after lawmakers questioned whether the president’s recent threats toward Iran reflected instability, calling the rhetoric a calculated negotiating tactic that also conveyed “love and compassion.”

The remarks came during a tense House hearing on April 17, where Democratic Rep. Mark Takano pressed Kennedy on whether Trump’s statements — including a warning that Iran’s “whole civilization” could be destroyed — warranted a mental fitness evaluation or even removal under the 25th Amendment.

“Absolutely not,” Kennedy said. He described Trump as “a genius” in international relations and “the best business bargainer that we’ve ever had in the presidency.”

At the center of the controversy is Trump’s April 7 Truth Social post, issued during high-stakes ceasefire negotiations with Iran. In it, the president warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” before closing with, “God Bless the Great People of Iran!”

Kennedy argued the message carried dual intent.

“He was sending a message of brute force and violence to the mullahs… but also a message of love and compassion to the Iranian people,” Kennedy told the House Education Committee. “He’s a dealmaker. He’s a bargainer.”

The explanation drew skepticism from Democrats, who cited the scale of the threat — directed at a nation of more than 90 million people — as alarming and potentially destabilizing.

Trump’s recent rhetoric has triggered backlash beyond Democratic ranks. Critics have pointed to additional posts, including an Easter message demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz using profane language and AI-generated images portraying himself in religious imagery, including alongside Jesus Christ.

The posts have drawn condemnation for perceived insensitivity to religious groups and escalating geopolitical tensions.

Meanwhile, the broader Middle East conflict continues to intensify. The latest escalation, linked to a Feb. 28 strike involving the United States and Israel against Iran, has resulted in thousands of deaths across Iran and Lebanon, according to regional reports.

Kennedy doubled down when asked about Trump’s mental fitness, stating, “There hasn’t been a president who is more sane,” and calling him “the most stable.”

The president has repeatedly dismissed criticism of his behavior. During a March Cabinet meeting, Trump touted his cognitive testing history, saying, “I’m the only president that ever took a cognitive test… It wasn’t hard for me.”

He has also continued to attack political rivals, labeling opponents “low IQ” and “stupid” in recent public remarks.

The exchange underscores deepening divisions in Washington over Trump’s leadership style as tensions with Iran persist. While the administration claims progress following a fragile ceasefire involving regional actors, critics warn that incendiary language risks undermining diplomacy.

For now, Kennedy’s testimony signals firm backing from within the administration — even as scrutiny over the president’s rhetoric intensifies on Capitol Hill.