Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a prominent figure in spreading misinformation about vaccines and COVID-19. He endorses unsubstantiated claims linking vaccinations to increased deaths and promotes various conspiracy theories, including allegations against public health officials and the safety of vaccines. His controversial statements extend beyond COVID, addressing topics like Wi-Fi, fluoride, and HIV. Kennedy’s involvement in anti-vaccine movements has led to significant public health concerns, including a measles outbreak linked to his organization.
Vaccine skeptics and conspiracy theorists are often at the forefront of misinformation, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seems to be leading the charge. His assertions particularly on medical topics frequently overlook established scientific consensus.
In December, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines by endorsing the book ‘Cause Unknown: The Epidemic of Sudden Deaths in 2021 and 2022’ (German: ‘Ursache unbekannt: Die Epidemie plötzlicher Todesfälle in den Jahren 2021 und 2022’). He wrote the foreword, claiming the book illustrates that “COVID shots are a crime against humanity.” This book was published in collaboration with the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense, for which Kennedy serves as the chairman.
The book posits a supposed link between COVID vaccinations and an uptick in deaths, a claim that lacks any scientific backing. The cover includes a photo of Braden Fahey, who tragically passed away at the age of twelve, used as an example to support the author’s misleading theory—despite the fact that Fahey had not received a COVID vaccine, as confirmed by his parents.
Spreading Misinformation on COVID
Braden Fahey’s situation is just one instance of how Kennedy has propagated misinformation regarding COVID. He has made assertions that the COVID vaccine is the deadliest vaccine ever produced, a statement that is unfounded.
Kennedy has also suggested that there is a vast conspiracy involving figures like Bill Gates and former pandemic advisors to Presidents Trump and Biden, including Anthony Fauci, accusing them of overstating the COVID threat to promote vaccine sales. Furthermore, he has promoted Ivermectin as a treatment for COVID, despite the absence of scientific evidence supporting its efficacy.
He has even gone as far as claiming that COVID could be a result of a biological weapon targeting specific ethnic groups, and has perpetuated conspiracy theories that the COVID vaccinations are designed to harm certain demographics. In a video produced by CHD, the narrative is pitched that COVID vaccines are essentially medical experiments on black individuals, a claim that is entirely baseless.
The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) identifies Kennedy as one of twelve prominent vaccine skeptics significantly involved in disseminating digital misinformation about COVID vaccines. These disinformation campaigns often assert that COVID is not dangerous, vaccines pose risks, and create distrust towards healthcare professionals and authorities. In response to ongoing misinformation, several of Kennedy’s and CHD’s social media accounts have faced temporary suspensions.
Kennedy has made bold promises to “end the epidemic of chronic diseases,” a claim he made while stepping into the political spotlight as a potential future Secretary of Health under the Trump administration.
Misleading Claims about Vaccinations
Kennedy’s misinformation isn’t limited to COVID vaccines; he has consistently made false claims regarding other vaccinations, leading to his characterization as an anti-vaccine advocate by various media outlets—though he denies this label. Instances of his misleading statements are numerous.
He has erroneously claimed that vaccines are the only medical products not subjected to safety testing prior to approval, which is simply not true. All vaccines undergo rigorous safety evaluations before they can be approved for public use.
Kennedy has also promoted the false narrative that components like the mercury-based preservative thimerosal in vaccines contribute to autism, a theory debunked by numerous studies. Notably, thimerosal has not been utilized in vaccines since 2002.
Moreover, he has wrongly attributed cancer cases in the United States to the polio vaccine, referencing contamination with Simian Virus 40 in some doses from the 1950s and 1960s. However, extensive research has shown no causal relationship between polio vaccinations and cancer incidence.
Kennedy and the Children’s Health Defense organization were also connected to a tragic measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019, which resulted in over 80 fatalities. Both he and the organization had cast doubts on the measles vaccine, and CHD ran vaccine-skeptical advertisements on social media prior to the outbreak, while Kennedy engaged with local vaccine skeptics.
With aspirations to run for president, Kennedy may particularly appeal to Republican voters.
Many More Misconceptions
Kennedy’s misinformation extends beyond vaccinations to various health topics. He has made unfounded claims that Wi-Fi causes cancer and that fluoride in drinking water diminishes children’s IQ—assertions that lack scientific credibility. He also erroneously linked pesticide residues in water to sexual orientation and gender identity in adolescents, based on a misinterpretation of a study involving frogs.
In addition, Kennedy has questioned the validity of HIV research, expressing uncertainty about whether the HIV virus causes AIDS, a fact that has long been established. He continues to promote the consumption of raw milk despite warnings from health authorities regarding its potential to transmit diseases, including bird flu. Raw milk also poses more health risks compared to pasteurized milk.
Kennedy has even suggested a connection between psychotropic medications and school shootings, a claim that lacks supporting evidence. He adheres to the chemtrail conspiracy theory, which alleges that airplane contrails are laced with harmful chemicals aimed at the population.
While various countries have already instituted strict regulations concerning these issues, some still view them as beneficial.
Engagement in Conspiracy Movements
Kennedy has found a following among conspiracy theorists, particularly within the ‘Querdenken’ movement, and he even spoke at a demonstration in Berlin during the pandemic. At this event, when questioned by a police officer about not wearing a mask, he reportedly stated, “I would rather die than live like a slave.”
During the Berlin gathering, he propagated additional conspiracy theories, claiming that the rollout of 5G technology was part of a scheme to transform individuals into digital currency, subsequently leading to their enslavement. He alleged that COVID safety measures were merely a pretext for implementing 5G, and accused Bill Gates of orchestrating the pandemic.
Should the Senate approve, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could soon take on the role of the US Secretary of Health under a new Trump administration.