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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s controversial nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, is unlikely to secure Senate approval, according to former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly. Speaking on NewsNation’s “On Balance” on Monday, O’Reilly confidently predicted, “RFK, he’ll go down.”
O’Reilly did not elaborate extensively on his reasoning but pointed to the limits of Trump’s influence over Republicans in Congress. He suggested that while Trump has strong control over House GOP members, the Senate represents a more challenging hurdle.
“The Senate is six years,” O’Reilly noted, referencing the length of senators’ terms. “Most of those people will still be in office when Donald Trump leaves.”
O’Reilly explained that Trump’s leverage in the House is tied to its two-year election cycle, where his influence over primary races is stronger. However, senators, who serve longer terms, are less beholden to the president’s immediate political sway.
This dynamic, he argued, reduces Trump’s ability to “strong-arm” Senate Republicans into supporting his nominees.
The former Fox News host highlighted the challenges Trump faced in the Senate last week with his Defense Secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth. Despite being a Trump ally and Army veteran, Hegseth narrowly secured confirmation.
Three Republican senators—Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine—broke ranks and voted against him. Hegseth’s confirmation ultimately relied on a tiebreaking vote from Vice President J.D. Vance. “Hegseth was lucky. That was really close,” O’Reilly remarked.
O’Reilly suggested that Kennedy’s nomination could face even stiffer opposition, given the polarized views surrounding his appointment. As a controversial figure, Kennedy has drawn scrutiny from both parties, and the Senate Finance Committee is expected to deliberate on his nomination this Wednesday. The committee’s decision will be a key indicator of how the broader Senate may vote.
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but O’Reilly cautioned that this slim edge does not guarantee smooth sailing for Trump’s nominees. Unlike the House, where Trump has significant sway, the Senate’s longer terms make its members less vulnerable to immediate political pressure, creating a more independent chamber. This independence, combined with dissent from key Republican senators, could spell trouble for Kennedy’s confirmation.
O’Reilly’s analysis underscores the challenges Trump faces in navigating the Senate’s dynamics. As Kennedy’s nomination heads to the Finance Committee, the president will need to rally substantial support to secure his controversial pick’s confirmation. With opposition from both sides of the aisle, Kennedy’s path to confirmation remains highly uncertain.
