- RFK Jr. blamed Dr. Anthony Fauci for pandemic lockdowns during a contentious interview on CNN, while also reviving debunked claims about vaccines and measles.
- During the interview, RFK Jr. urged US families to vaccinate their children against measles amid ongoing outbreaks, stating that the vaccine is effective in stopping the disease in about 97% of cases.
- Dr. Ashish Jha, former White House Covid-19 response coordinator, pushed back against Kennedy's claims, stating that much of what he said was factually untrue and emphasized that accountability lies with political leaders, not scientists.
- The US has recorded 2,371 confirmed measles infections this year, surpassing the total from 2025, highlighting a significant rise in cases.
- Measles outbreaks have been primarily linked to unvaccinated communities, with health officials warning that vaccination rates below 95% can lead to further outbreaks.
- RFK Jr. has a history of promoting vaccine misinformation, which contrasts with his recent call for measles vaccinations, raising concerns about his influence on public health.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced off against CNN's Dana Bash during a heated interview on 'State of the Union,' where he attributed the blame for pandemic lockdowns to Dr. Anthony Fauci and reiterated debunked claims about vaccines. Kennedy stated, “Trump wanted to end the lockdowns. I think the thing that did the most damage to our country was the lockdowns.” In response, Dr. Ashish Jha, former White House Covid-19 response coordinator, asserted that “accountability has to be with our political leaders, not with scientists who are giving advice.” Jha condemned Kennedy's misinformation, particularly regarding the efficacy of vaccines, stating, “There is zero link between vaccines and autism.” Kennedy's remarks come amid a troubling rise in measles cases, with the U.S. recording 2,371 confirmed infections this year alone, surpassing the total for 2025. Jha noted, “The last two years we’ve had more measles cases than the entire rest of the 21st century.” Kennedy, who has long been a proponent of vaccine skepticism, urged parents to vaccinate their children against measles, claiming the vaccine is effective in 97% of cases. However, he also blamed outbreaks on unvaccinated religious communities and global health conditions, stating, “Absolutely not” when asked if he took responsibility for the surge. The contentious exchange highlighted the ongoing battle over public health messaging and vaccine hesitancy in the U.S.123
“Kennedy told Bash parents should get children vaccinated against measles, saying the shot stops the disease in about 97% of cases. He denied responsibility for the surge — “Absolutely not” — blaming religious communities and global health conditions as Dr. Ashish Jha said the administration has not done enough to promote vaccines.”
The Guardian
The Daily Beast
