While the raspiness of his voice is clearly audible now, RFK Jr. says this wasn't always the case. While speaking with NewsNation, the politician said he once had an "unusually strong voice" and "at that time, I was making a lot of my income doing public speaking. I could speak to large halls without any amplification" (via Youtube).
However, RFK Jr. continues that in 1996, his voice began to take on the characteristic tremble of the little-known neurological disorder. (The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders classifies spasmodic dysphonia as a rare disorder that more commonly affects women.) RFK Jr. explained to NewsNation that it wasn't until he received letters following his public speaking appearances suggesting that he see a laryngeal specialist that he was officially diagnosed.
The presidential hopeful has been forthcoming about his struggles with the disease, admitting that he feels sorry for those who have to listen to him speak and purposely avoids hearing recordings of his voice. However, he's been incredibly proactive about seeking voice-strengthening therapies and surgeries as he continues his career.
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