Scrutiny Surrounds RFK Jr. Following Commencement of Investigation into Mutilated Dolphin's Remains
Scrutiny Surrounds RFK Jr. Following Commencement of Investigation into Mutilated Dolphin's Remains
Last week, the lifeless body of a dolphin, evidently butchered, was found on a New Jersey beach. Consequently, social media is abuzz with jibes about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a disappointing presidential candidate who has converted into a MAGA supporter, being the potential perpetrator.
If you recall, Kennedy's disastrous political journey was characterized by a series of controversial incidents, many of which revolved around dead and disfigured animals. For instance, rumors swirled that he consumed canine meat. Later, he admitted to dumping a bear cub carcass in Central Park in 2014. He even boasted about having a larder full of roadkill in his residence. Then, following a federal probe, it was revealed that he had decapitated a whale with a chainsaw in August. Given these circumstances, the recent discovery of a mutilated marine animal has sparked speculation about Kennedy's involvement.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a New Jersey-based non-profit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing distressed marine animals and turtles, revealed in a press statement on Friday that a dolphin's body was discovered on Allenhurst Beach. The statement described the animal's state, noting that its flesh was removed with clean, precise cuts, leaving only the head, dorsal fin, and flukes. The animal's organs, apart from the heart and lungs, were also missing.
The night prior to the discovery, a live dolphin was spotted in the surf nearby, according to the MMSC, though it remains unclear if this was the same dolphin. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement is now investigating the incident, said the MMSC.
Those speculating about the animal's gruesome murderer didn't hold back in propagating accusations, if only rhetorically, against Kennedy. One witty tweeter quipped, "Aw shit, I didn't realize RFK was in town," while another, sharing the news on the platform, said, "I'm guessing RFK Jr. already has an alibi sorted." Yet another user joked that Trump had lost the dolphin vote.
Despite these claims, as far as we know, Kennedy had nothing to do with the dolphin's demise. It would be intriguing if he could provide an alibi for that night to remove any doubt.
Historically, the MAGA circle hasn't shown much concern for animal welfare. Granted, they have shown outrage recently over the euthanization of a New York squirrel, but their primary gripe seems to be government overreach, not the squirrel's well-being. In fact, for the most part, allegations involving animals tend to hover around Trump's allies.
As an example, Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, was accused of bragging about killing a dog with a shovel. He also expressed distaste for dog parks in his upcoming book, viewing them as emblematic of antifamily culture. JD Vance, Trump's running mate, has been jokingly accused of having a penchant for dolphin-themed pornography.
The animal kingdom stands to lose a lot more should Trump be re-elected. His first term was not known for its environmental friendliness. His allies have championed the dismantling of the Endangered Species Act, and they desire to mine long-protected national parks and develop federal lands into urban spaces. It's not likely that the natural world will flourish under his reign once again.
In light of Kennedy's past controversial actions regarding animals, some are questioning if his interest in tech and technology could lead to innovative solutions for animal welfare in the future, to redress his past mistakes. Despite the speculation surrounding Kennedy, the future of marine animal protection seems grim if Trump's allies continue their disregard for animal rights, as shown by their actions and policies.