Kennedy campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said in a statement that « the issue was resolved more than 10 years ago, and he is in robust physical and mental health. »
The campaign of , the independent running for president, confirmed Wednesday that he contracted a parasite in his brain over a decade ago.
His campaign’s comment came after The New York Times reported he said in a 2012 deposition that a parasitic worm « ate a portion » of his brain and may have caused cognitive issues.
Kennedy campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said in a statement to CBS News that he contracted a parasite after traveling « extensively in Africa, South America and Asia as his work as an environmental advocate. »
« The issue was resolved more than 10 years ago, and he is in robust physical and mental health. Questioning Mr. Kennedy’s health is a hilarious suggestion, given his competition, » Spear said.
During a deposition given by Kennedy in 2012 amid his divorce from his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, The Times reports he stated that he faced « cognitive problems » and experienced memory loss and brain fog, leading one doctor to say he had a dead parasite in his brain in 2010.
The Times reported that Kennedy said in the deposition that a friend pushed him to seek out medical care after noticing his cognitive issues, initially thinking Kennedy might be suffering from a brain tumor.
