Slate News What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - RFK Jr. Is a Feature, Not a Bug
Jan 31, 2025
Dan Diamond, a White House correspondent for The Washington Post with a decade of experience in healthcare coverage, joins to discuss Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial Senate nomination. They dive into the tumult of the confirmation hearings, revealing the mixed reactions to RFK Jr.’s stance on vaccines. Diamond explores how Kennedy’s candidacy reflects broader goals to disrupt the healthcare establishment rather than genuine policy expertise. The conversation also highlights the complex interplay between political dynamics and public health during a turbulent era.
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RFK Jr.: A Feature, Not a Bug?
- RFK Jr.'s inexperience may be intentional, as the Trump administration might want to control health policy from the White House.
- Cabinet secretaries might become mere rubber stamps for the Trump agenda.
RFK Jr.'s Anti-Vaccine History
- Despite claiming to support vaccination, RFK Jr. has a long history of anti-vaccine activism.
- He founded the Children's Health Defense, a prominent anti-vaccine organization.
Samoa Measles Outbreak
- After RFK Jr.'s visit to Samoa, where he met with anti-vaccine activists, a measles outbreak occurred.
- This resulted in approximately 5,700 cases and 83 deaths.