RFK Jr.’s Heavy Breathing Dominates Social Media Chatter During Blockbuster Hearing: ‘Sounds Like Darth Vader’

Pundits tuning into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate committee hearing Thursday appeared to be wildly distracted, not by the testimony, but by his heavy breathing picked up on a hot mic throughout the proceedings.

Kennedy appeared before the Senate Finance Committee facing questions following the ousting of ex-CDC Director Susan Monarez, layoffs, his overhaul of vaccine policy, and cuts to vaccine research that opponents argue are hollowing out public health.

As the combative hearing went on, however, Kennedy’s breathing could be heard even while senators were speaking.

Kennedy’s distinctive voice is the result of spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological condition that affects speech. Spasms of vocal cord muscles caused by the condition, however, can cause noisy and labored breathing. This didn’t stop viewers, many of them his critics, tweeting out their frustration and fixation en masse:

A choir of commentators jumped to cynically compare the breathing to Star Wars villain Darth Vader:

At one point, an aide approached Kennedy, whispering something in his ear while he was being grilled by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO). As she spoke, Kennedy quickly looked at his mic, appearing alarmed.

The interaction caught the attention of independent journalist Aaron Rupar, who suggested he may have been instructed to use the mute button on his microphone:

After this, the Health Secretary appeared to mute and unmute his mic when it was his turn to speak.