HHS Secretary Kennedy Courts Anti-Vaccine Activists
RFK Jr. told anti-vaccine activists they have an ally in Trump's White House.
September 17, 2026 · Updated Sep 17, 8:34pm ET
The New York TimesRFK Jr. Assures Vaccine Skeptics They Have a ‘Friend at the White House’
STAT NewsKennedy renews attacks on vaccines at Children’s Health Defense conference
PBS NewsHourWATCH: RFK Jr. speaks at conference for anti-vaccine group he founded
Associated PressKennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House
CNNKennedy tells anti-vaccine group he previously led that he’ll ‘stay in this fight’
The HillRFK Jr. says anti-vaccine group has a ‘friend at the White House’
The GuardianRFK Jr promises anti-vaxxers a ‘friend at the White House’ amid deadly measles outbreak
Seattle TimesKennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump’s White House
The AtlanticRFK Jr.’s Bold Reassurance to Anti-Vaxxers
MEDIAiteRFK Jr. Ripped by Critics After Claiming He’s Investigating Chemtrails: ‘F*cking Moron’
MS NOWAmid measles outbreaks, RFK Jr. headlines anti-vaccine conference
Daily BeastAnti-Vax RFK Jr. Spews Callous Insult to Child Victims of Measles
Joe.My.God.Sec. Brain Worms Tells Anti-Vax Convention: “You Have A Friend In The WH, Also We’re Looking At Chemtrails”
77%
Left · 10
23%
Center · 3
0%
Right · 0
Pano rates the coverage Mostly Left.
What happened
Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Health and Human ServicesUnited States federal executive department Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.26th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services since 2025 gave the keynote speech at a Children’s Health DefenseChildren's Health DefenseAmerican anti-vaccination group founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr conference, addressing an anti-vaccine group he once chaired and helped found. He used the speech to defend Trump administration moves to scale back vaccine guidance, including childhood schedule changes and a reshaped vaccine advisory board, with parts blocked by a judge. The appearance marked a return to the movement after Kennedy had kept distance from the group during confirmation. It came amid a severe measles outbreak, as critics said his message could deepen vaccine doubt. Kennedy told attendees they had a White House friend and vowed to keep fighting. The policy fight now moves through courts and federal agencies.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets framed the speech as a public reunion with vaccine skeptics and a signal that their agenda now has power inside government. The New York Times emphasized Kennedy’s reassurance that the movement had a “friend at the White House”. CNN tied the moment to a measles resurgence driven largely by low vaccination rates. PBS NewsHour focused on policy, saying Kennedy used the platform to praise steps scaling back vaccine guidance.
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets we track didn't cover this story.
Kennedy Vaccine Policy Fight
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Sep 30Panel Advances Nicole SaphierBalanced
- Sep 17HHS Secretary Kennedy Courts Anti-Vaccine Activists (this story)Mostly Left
- Sep 16Nicole Saphier Backs MMRMostly Left
