Bill Clinton slammed for calling RFK Jr's mom Ethel Kennedy 'cat's meow' in bizarre funeral tribute

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Bill Clinton shared how the late Ethel Kennedy used to innocently flirt with him back in the day while eulogizing her on Wednesday, October 16, reported the Daily Mail.

The Kennedy matriarch, wife of Senator Robert Kennedy and mother of former independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr, was 96 years old at the time of her death.

Her funeral service was held in Washington and attended by former Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, as well as current President Joe Biden.

Former GOP Presidents George W Bush and Donald Trump were not present at the event, despite RFK Jr endorsing the latter in the upcoming election.

Bill Clinton's remarks about Ethel Kennedy

Addressing the crowd which mainly comprised of the Kennedy clan, Bill Clinton stated, "I was trying to think if I could say anything that would add to what others have said. I doubt I can, but I would say this - I thought your mother was the cat’s meow. She would flirt with me in the most innocent ways.”

Clinton referred to Ethel as the "cat's meow" in a playful manner, but the comment didn't immediately resonate with the crowd. It wasn't until he mentioned the playful flirting that they erupted into cautious laughter.

He continued, "I remember once I said, 'You know we're not at replacement population anymore and all the politics are anti-immigrant, what are we gonna do?' I said, 'We need more people like you.'" The remark was another joke about Ethel having 11 children of her own.

After her death, RFK Jr shared in a post that Ethel was also the proud grandmother of 34 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Internet calls Bill Clinton's remarks about late Ethel Kennedy 'inappropriate'

Bill Clinton's joke was apparently not well received by netizens on the social media platform X. The following tweets highlight the prevailing sentiments.

"Not now, Bill. Not now. Inappropriate. Geez," wrote a user.

"Uh .... Bill, I'm not sure a funeral is the right place for that story," shared another.

"Read the room, dirtbag… What a POS," slammed a user.

"Everything Clinton does is tacky," quipped another user.

"Who says (this) kind of thing...out loud...at a memorial??" inquired a user.

"Good god. What a slime ball," chided yet another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.