During his confirmation hearing to become Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. found himself under intense scrutiny. Sitting before the Senate Finance Committee, Kennedy, flanked by anti-vaccine supporters, attempted to walk a fine line between defending his controversial past and reassuring lawmakers that he would uphold the health of the nation as the head of a massive agency with a $1.8 trillion budget.
Kennedy, known for his prominent role in the anti-vaccine movement, began his testimony with a striking declaration aimed at calming concerns. “I want to make sure the committee is clear about a few things. News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry. Well, I am neither; I am pro-safety,” he said. He also added, “All of my kids are vaccinated, and I believe vaccines have a critical role in health care.”
These statements, however, stood in stark contrast to his earlier actions and documented positions. For years, Kennedy has been an outspoken critic of vaccines, even advising against vaccinating babies, a stance that directly contradicted his claim of being “pro-safety.” While Kennedy’s remarks at the hearing tried to placate lawmakers and the public health community, they failed to stem the enthusiasm from the anti-vaccine movement, which still sees him as a champion of their cause.
Kennedy’s long history with anti-vaccine rhetoric has never been a secret. In 2020, during a podcast for his nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense, Kennedy made an emotional statement about the personal impact he believed vaccines had on his children. “What would I do if I could go back in time and I could avoid giving my children the vaccines that I gave them? I would do anything for that. I would pay anything to be able to do that,” he confessed. Such statements have fed the fire for his critics, who accuse him of promoting vaccine misinformation.
Despite his efforts to distance himself from the label of “anti-vaccine,” Kennedy’s words and actions have often been aligned with that very movement. In 2021, during a podcast appearance on “Health Freedom for Humanity,” Kennedy openly discussed his efforts to sway parents away from vaccinating their children, even in casual encounters. “I see somebody on a hiking trail carrying a little baby, and I say to him, ‘Better not get him vaccinated,'” he shared, further solidifying his position as a vocal figure within the anti-vaccine community.
However, as Kennedy transitioned from anti-vaccine activism to his presidential run and the confirmation hearing, he has made a concerted effort to walk a fine line. He insists he is not anti-vaccine and has promised that, if confirmed, he would not attempt to undo the nation’s vaccination policies. Yet, behind the scenes, he continues to draw support from anti-vaccine groups. For example, Del Bigtree, a well-known anti-vaccine leader, has publicly stated that Kennedy’s muted stance on vaccines is part of a larger, “strategic” plan to appeal to the mainstream while maintaining his ties to the movement.
Despite these behind-the-scenes connections, Kennedy’s campaign for HHS Secretary has been met with continued support from anti-vaccine groups. Bigtree’s organization, the Informed Consent Action Network, played a key role in mobilizing activists for Kennedy’s confirmation hearing, while other vocal anti-vaccine figures, such as Zen Honeycutt, expressed their backing. Honeycutt, who leads Moms Across America, was present at the hearing, reinforcing the message that the movement remains behind Kennedy.
As his confirmation proceeds, it’s clear that Kennedy’s relationship with the anti-vaccine movement remains complicated. Publicly, he seeks to distance himself from the label, focusing instead on a message of vaccine safety. Privately, he continues to enjoy the backing of a movement that still views him as one of its most prominent figures. It remains to be seen whether he can reconcile these two worlds, and whether his past actions will continue to shadow his efforts to take on a prominent role in shaping the nation’s public health policies.
