Jake Tapper Dismantles RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Claims in Brutal Senate Hearing Recap

Washington, D.C. – CNN host Jake Tapper delivered a sharp critique of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday as the controversial nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services faced questioning before the Senate Finance Committee.

Kennedy, long known for his opposition to vaccines, attempted to reframe his stance during the hearing, claiming that his own children are vaccinated and emphasizing, “I’ve written many books on vaccines.”

But Tapper wasn’t buying it. “There’s plenty of evidence in Kennedy’s own words to suggest he is anti-vaccine — at least, not pro-vaccine — at least 20 years of this,” Tapper said, before presenting a series of past statements contradicting Kennedy’s newfound position.

One example came from a July 2023 appearance on the Lex Fridman Podcast, where Kennedy was asked if he supported any vaccines. “There is no vaccine that is safe and effective,” Kennedy declared on the podcast. Tapper was quick to dissect that claim.

“Excuse me?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “That seems pretty cut and dry. But today, when questioned about this specific statement, Kennedy blamed it on the interviewer. The interviewer cut him off when he was going to say that there was no vaccine that is safe and effective for every person.”

With skepticism in his voice, Tapper responded, “Hum, okay.” But he wasn’t done. He went on to show a clip from Kennedy’s June 2023 interview with Joe Rogan, in which Kennedy falsely claimed that the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic was caused by vaccines. “All of the samples from thousands of people showed that most of the people who died didn’t die of bacteriological pneumonia,” Kennedy asserted at the time.

Tapper took apart the statement, pointing out that pneumonia can result from various infections, including the flu, COVID-19, and even strep throat. More importantly, he reminded viewers that the so-called Spanish Flu was caused by an H1N1 virus—not a vaccine.

“Not to mention,” Tapper added, “the flu vaccine and antibiotic treatments weren’t even available in 1918. The first license for a wide-use flu vaccine wasn’t until 1945. According to the space-time continuum, 1918 is before 1945.” Tapper then played a moment from the Rogan interview where Kennedy himself admitted his uncertainty.

“I don’t remember enough about it,” Kennedy told Rogan, prompting Tapper to quip, “‘I shouldn’t talk about this, Joe.’ Words to live by, Mr. Kennedy.” Finally, Tapper highlighted a telling piece of evidence: a baby onesie sold by Kennedy’s own organization, boasting about being unvaccinated.

When pressed on whether he agreed with his group’s message, Kennedy refused to answer, merely insisting he wasn’t anti-vaccine. With one last jab, Tapper concluded, “If the onesie fits.”

As Kennedy continues his confirmation process, his long history of anti-vaccine rhetoric remains a central issue, raising questions about his suitability to lead the nation’s top health agency.