Bill Cassidy's line of questioning was clever — he pressed Kennedy on how he can praise Trump for Operation Warp Speed while at the same time denigrating vaccines.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
Here's the entire exchange. pic.twitter.com/zNatP0m6uy
It’s probably smart to drown Trump in accolades and try to trap RFK Jr. into looking bad in his eyes. But it won’t work. Trump will love Bobby’s combativeness even though to most of the country he looks like he’s a lying, batshit crazy freak.
Some highlights:
John Barrasso is a hardcore Trumper — and a doctor:
Barrasso: "Secretary Kennedy, in your confirmation hearings you promised to uphold the highest standards for vaccines. Since then I've grown deeply concerned. The public has seen measles outbreaks, leadership in the NIH questioning the use of mRNA vaccines, the recently confirmed… pic.twitter.com/pqJlNdpdFj
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
RFK Jr: You're just making stuff up, senator!
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
HASSAN: You know, sometimes when you make an accusation it's kind of a confession, Mr Kennedy pic.twitter.com/hM8h3gdOMH
RFK Jr's breathing now sounds like bomb explosions pic.twitter.com/ksQjIhBgMV
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
Warner: "Secretary of Health and Human Service — he doesn't know how many people died from covid, doesn't know if the vaccine saved lives, doesn't understand the issue that OBGYN doctors are fleeing rural America … " pic.twitter.com/Zd0PKw5D8J
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
RFK Jr says he agrees that mRNA vaccines cause "serious harm, including death, especially among young people" pic.twitter.com/nD2mxQYd6r
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
Bennet runs out of patience with RFK Jr and yells at him that "I'm asking the questions on behalf of parents and schools and teachers all over the United States of America who deserve so much better than your leadership! That's what this conversation is about." pic.twitter.com/bW0xtBE261
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
WYDEN: And now the American Academy of Pediatrics is warning that the committee is being politicized at the expense of children's health. You think they're lying too?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
RFK Jr: I think the American Academy of Pediatrics is gravely conflicted. Their biggest contributors are the… pic.twitter.com/m55EAySJGK
As happened during this exchange with Tina Smith, RFK Jr loves to play a game where he denies saying things he said ON CAMERA. Complete gaslighting. pic.twitter.com/dcqnxYu4gn
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
BERNIE SANDERS: What are the organizations that agree with you in casting aspersions on vaccines?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
RFK Jr: *cites Trump administration officials*
SANDERS: You're telling the American people that the AMA, representing hundreds of thousands of people, have been co-coopted and they… pic.twitter.com/r8nJ3MsZvQ
TINA SMITH: When were you lying, sir? When you told this committee that you were not anti-vax, or when you told Americans that there is no safe and effective vaccine?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
RFK Jr: Both things are true pic.twitter.com/gyPTcndjVm
Tillis to RFK Jr: "I don't see how you go in 4 weeks from 'a public health expert with unimpeachable scientific credentials, a longtime champion of MAHA values, caring and compassionate … ' and 4 weeks later fire her." pic.twitter.com/YMtIMmhpaK
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
You sure about that? https://t.co/CqaJaEmLdf pic.twitter.com/IF26P1y6Fm
— Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) September 4, 2025
WARREN: Did you tell the head of the CDC that if she refused to sign off on your changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, that she had to resign?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
RFK Jr: No. I told her she had to resign because I asked her 'are you a trustworthy person?" and she said no
WARREN: This is not… pic.twitter.com/kofuQ6O25x
WARNOCK: Did you demand that she fire career scientists or public experts at the CDC?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 4, 2025
RFK Jr: Yes pic.twitter.com/gVwy2kQL2U