Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Exits MAHA Event After Questions on Kratom Donation

<figure><img alt="robert f kennedy jr rfk" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/ME42EE4WMVBYNJZJXUDAJ2WDSQ.JPG?auth=5357b1d5e9f7769636bd2fb7f0ff4d319294c32bbaf901510e688b2f7105aa88&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3427&amp;height=1928" /><figcaption>Kylie Cooper / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>A "Make America Healthy Again" event concluded unexpectedly on August 26, 2026, after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was questioned about a significant donation from the owner of a kratom company, against which the Justice Department had previously dropped a case.</p><p>During a roundtable with Florida Senator Ashley Moody at an elementary school in Tampa, Florida, Sky News correspondent Martha Kelner asked Kennedy about the government's stance on natural-leaf kratom.</p><p>"The FDA is looking at that issue right now," Kennedy stated regarding kratom, a plant with opioid-like effects available at gas stations nationwide.</p><p>Kelner noted, "The Justice Department dropped its case against Feel Free, and MAHA PAC received a $1 million donation," referring to the political action committee led by Kennedy ally Tony Lyons, and inquired if there was any connection to the DOJ's actions.</p><img alt="Kennedy said he had no idea about any DOJ business. / MARK MAKELA / REUTERS" height="2178" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/55JWKXCKVRCR7O6FLGSSINMM5U.JPG?auth=e6f13dc64d0fe79e25b7dbc2007ad8650abde9f2fef912ba1536919a62e643f3&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3871&amp;height=2178" width="3871" /><p>Feel Free is a kratom-infused herbal tonic produced by Botanic Tonics, a company in which Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has invested over $1 million, according to a report by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/15/us/politics/kratom-trump-administration.html" rel="" target="_self" title="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/15/us/politics/kratom-trump-administration.html">The New York Times</a>.</p><p>The tonic has faced criticism, with some labeling it as "gas station heroin" due to its easy accessibility and potential for addiction, as reported by <a href="https://thepunchup.substack.com/p/gas-station-heroin-founder-supported" rel="" target="_self" title="https://thepunchup.substack.com/p/gas-station-heroin-founder-supported">PunchUp</a>.</p><img alt="Huntington, N.Y.: Feel Free products containing kratom on sale at a tobacco store in Huntington, New York Aug. 21, 2025. (Photo by Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images) / Newsday LLC / Newsday via Getty Images" height="1601" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/DQKX53UFIFDDJDWGX5QMNVR5B4.jpg?auth=6edd757e1912395699c9a47fd5cd198dd5aac218d7078d174813d7196d22caab&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2400&amp;height=1601" width="2400" /><p>The DOJ had previously filed a lawsuit against Botanic Tonics for allegedly marketing Feel Free without proving its safety. However, in December, federal prosecutors unexpectedly dropped the case, according to <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/david-hudnall/article315593616.html" rel="" target="_self" title="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/david-hudnall/article315593616.html">The Kansas City Star</a>.</p><p>In response to the questions, Kennedy stated, "I don’t know anything about either of the things that you just said."</p><img alt="Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during a Senate Finance Committee Hearing earlier this year. / Heather Diehl / Getty Images" height="2749" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/ND7LAXNDWRF2ZCFL5ESXYHKNR4.jpg?auth=22f56ac6e26382b8b6936f2b6b8752e6af0ee6143a6ca3bd6d88c5615d5facdc&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4124&amp;height=2749" width="4124" /><p>Kelner pointed out that the donation was from "Jerry Ross" of Feel Free, referring to Botanic Tonics owner J.W. Ross, but Kennedy maintained his lack of knowledge about the matter.</p><p>"Well, I don’t know anything about that, and I don’t make decisions for the Justice Department," he responded before leaving the podium.</p><p>Kelner then asked Kennedy if he was "in the pocket of Feel Free," but Senator Moody intervened, concluding the event and preventing further inquiries.</p><img alt="Ron DeSantis named Ashley Moody to the Senate. / Joe Raedle / Getty Images" height="4000" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/OMU5WBE7XNCQFBLBXDGXRSMPEM.jpg?auth=d93f4d7ab583b527bb5f3464341ca2b58939e06095f61a8007ad4bb64bfc32f2&amp;smart=true&amp;width=6000&amp;height=4000" width="6000" /><p>"Thank you very much for joining us today to talk about our kids and their healthy futures, and Florida is gonna continue to lead the way," Moody stated before she and Kennedy exited the room.</p><p>The Daily Beast has reached out to HHS for comment.</p>