Senate Democrats Probe RFK Jr. Over Donor's Lavish Gifts
Two Democratic senators wrote to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and donor Gavin de Becker on Tuesday. They asked about gifts, including an undisclosed yacht stay in Greece.
- $250,000+ in gifts from de Becker appeared on Kennedy's ethics filing.
- $45,000 in flights to Greece were disclosed; the yacht stay was not.
- 151-foot yacht Loloma hosted Kennedy for roughly a week in July 2025.
- De Becker donated to Kennedy's campaign, which also paid his security firm.
Why it matters: Federal rules forbid gifts from people seeking action from an official's agency, except from personal friends. Wyden and Alsobrooks say de Becker's vaccine and ketamine advocacy and business ties rule out that exception.
- "Your relationship is not purely personal," the senators wrote to Kennedy.
- HHS spokeswoman Emily Hilliard said ethics officials approved Kennedy's filing.
How 6 sources split on this story
Where they split: The dispute is whether de Becker counts as a personal friend under ethics rules or as someone with interests before HHS.
Left coverage, 3 sources: The left sees the trip as part of a pattern of Trump administration officials accepting luxury perks from wealthy benefactors.
What’s next: The senators requested information from both Kennedy and de Becker. Wyden is expected to chair Senate Finance in January.
- Why was the yacht stay left off Kennedy's ethics filing?
- Will Kennedy or de Becker answer the senators' questions?
