RFK Jr received $4m in book advances from Maha allies
US health secretary disclosed $4m in advances from publishing house linked to Make America Healthy Again allies, plus $200k+ in gifts.
What to know
- RFK Jr received $4m in book advances from Skyhorse Publishing, owned by Tony Lyons, who leads the Make America Healthy Again movement's nonprofit organizations.
- Kennedy Jr disclosed $268,500 in gifts from ally Gavin de Becker (housing, airfare) and his wife received $210,000 in consulting fees from a Maha-affiliated group, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
- Kennedy Jr pledged in a 2024 ethics filing not to engage in promotional work for the books during government service, creating a potential tension between the disclosure and the ongoing financial relationship.
This represents a conflict of interest and ethics violation warranting scrutiny.
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“'The advances were first reported by the New York Times on Wednesday. According to a 2024 ethics filing, Kennedy Jr pledged: "I will not engage in writing, editing, marketing or promotional services for any of these books during government…”
Miro_Collas · Mastodon ↗
“The secretary works with HHS, career ethics officials to ensure that his financial interests, gifts, outside activities and other reportable matters are appropriately disclosed and handled consistent with those requirements.”
HHS spokesperson, Department of Health and Human Services · New York Times ↗
Robert F Kennedy Jr US health secretaryTony Lyons Owner of Skyhorse Publishing, president of Maha CenterGavin de Becker Security consultant and Kennedy Jr allyKedric Payne Senior ethics counsel, Campaign Legal Center
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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HHS defends Kennedy Jr compliance; de Becker frames gifts as personal friendship
An HHS spokesperson stated Kennedy Jr complies with all ethics laws and financial disclosure requirements. De Becker told the New York Times the gifts reflect a long personal friendship predating his government role.
“Bobby is among my closest friends in the world for many years, and I'm grateful to be able to host him anytime.”
— Gavin de Becker -
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Guardian and outlets disclose Kennedy Jr's financial ties to Maha network
Reporting reveals Kennedy Jr accepted $126,500 in DC housing from Gavin de Becker, plus $45,000 in Greece airfare and $97,000 in Fiji airfare. His wife Cheryl Hines accepted $210,000 in consultation fees from Maha Action, also led by Lyons. De Becker donated $10m to Kennedy Jr's Super Pac in 2024, though $9.65m was returned.
“Lavish gifts to an official from major political donors don't get the same benefit of the doubt as dinner from a former classmate.”
— Kedric Payne -
background
New York Times reports Kennedy Jr book advances from Maha allies — The New York Times first reported that RFK Jr received $4m in book advances from Skyhorse Publishing, a house owned by Tony Lyons, president of Maha Center.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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first by Guardian, 8h ago · also Guardian US