Trump jokes RFK Jr ‘personally ran over the cow’ served at WHCD dinner

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump joked about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's widely discussed history with roadkill during remarks at the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Association Dinner (WHCD) on Thursday, July 24.

Speaking before journalists, administration officials and members of Congress, Trump used the dinner menu as the setup for jokes about Kennedy, claiming the HHS secretary had personally supplied the beef tenderloin served at the event. The remarks came during the annual correspondents’ dinner, which was rescheduled after the original April event was cut short following a shooting outside the venue.

Trump jokes RFK Jr supplied beef served at WHCD dinner

While addressing guests, Trump turned to Kennedy, who was seated in the audience, and joked about the meal being served.

"I hope that everyone finally got to enjoy their entire very delicious beef tenderloin. It's very special beef, and I want you all to know that Bobby Kennedy, he's right here, personally ran over the cow with his car," Trump said.

The president continued, "And he cut it up and he brought it here for you to eat tonight. So it's very fresh."

Kennedy laughed along with the remarks as the audience responded with applause and laughter.

Trump then referenced another widely reported anecdote involving the health secretary, saying, "Bobby also suggested an appetizer featuring his favorite cut of male raccoon roadkill."

Turning to Kennedy’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines, Trump added, "We drew the line at that, Cheryl. We said, 'No, we're not doing that.'"

Trump concluded the segment by describing Kennedy as "a very different kind of a person," before adding, "But he has what it takes, and he's smart. And he loves the country."

Trump references RFK Jr’s past roadkill stories

Trump’s jokes referenced several incidents involving Kennedy that have received public attention in recent years.

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Kennedy publicly recounted transporting a dead bear he said had been struck by a vehicle before later leaving the carcass in New York City’s Central Park. He has also previously told reporters that he has "been picking up roadkill my whole life" and keeps "a freezer full of it."

The president’s joke about raccoon roadkill appeared to reference details from a biography about Kennedy that cited diary entries describing an incident involving a dead raccoon found on the roadside.

The exchange was one of several moments in Trump’s hour-long speech where he mixed political remarks with jokes aimed at public figures, journalists and members of his own administration.

Throughout the evening, Trump also addressed the press corps, revisited former President Barack Obama's 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner appearance, joked about CNN's Kaitlan Collins and made lighthearted remarks about a possible future presidential campaign.