Internet weighs in as 'Morning Joe' panel mocks RFK Jr for 'brain-worm' claim, jokes about Ivermectin

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: During the May 8 morning panel on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe,' Robert F Kennedy Jr faced ridicule for his recent claim that a worm had eaten a portion of his brain.

As reported by The New York Times, the independent presidential candidate asserted in a 2012 deposition that he harbored a "dead parasite" within his brain, a condition he attributed to causing "memory loss and mental fogginess" starting from 2010.

This disclosure surfaced amidst Kennedy's divorce proceedings from his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy. He contended that his cognitive decline and reduced earning potential were associated with the purported infestation of a worm in his brain.

'Morning Joe' panel reacts with surprise and humor to RFK Jr's claim of a 'brain-worm'

Joe Scarborough kicked off the segment by tasking network correspondent Jonathan Lemire with detailing the specifics of Robert F Kennedy Jr's claim, as co-host Mika Brzezinski responded with evident surprise and concern.

The conversation between the panel members kicked off as Lemire said,  "I quote from Robert F Kennedy Jr here, the abnormality quote, 'was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.'"

Scarborough replied, "This happens."

Lemire then remarked, "Robert F Kennedy Jr suggesting that a worm ate some of his brain and then died while there. We’ll have more on this developing story." Brzezinski responded surprisingly, "What in a world?"

Scarborough then noted, "This happens. Usually, Willie, this happens with livestock, right? I mean, this is, this is something that yeah."

Geist interjected, saying, "I mean," while Scarborough remarked, "You know what? There you go. He should have had some of that stuff, that may have helped him, right, Willie?"

Geist remarked, "But it was ivermectin," prompting Lemire to chime in, "Oh, the ivermectin."

Reportedly, during the interview with The New York Times, RFK Jr stated that he had recovered from the memory loss and mental haziness he previously experienced, asserting that he hadn't suffered any lasting effects from the purported parasite in his brain.

He also mentioned that the parasite didn't require any treatment.

Netizens respond to panel's commentary on 'worm-brain' claim

The panel's commentary on RFK Jr.'s "worm-brain" assertion sparked a surge of reactions on social media, eliciting a variety of opinions from users.

One viewer said, "'Talk to the hand' is replaced with 'tell it to the worm.'"

Another viewer said, "Truth is stranger than fiction. I guess that disqualifies his run for president. I prefer a president whose brain has not been eaten by worms."

One viewer noted, "All the other worms are alive and well in his brain."

"If that had been a properly FDA-inspected brain, that worm may not have died," said a user. 

A follower observed, "That explains alot. Not everything, but a lot." [sic]

Another comment stated, "Brain worms, hush money, and puppy killers. This presidential campaign is by far the most repulsive in history," alluding to RFK Jr, Trump, and Kristi Noem, respectively.

Another comment read, "It died of hunger."

"What a campaign slogan Vote for me, a worm ate my brain," said one person.

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.