RFK Jr. Earns Seven-Figure Sum from Anti-Vaccination Advocacy Contradicting Previous Claims of Unpaid Labor
RFK Jr. Earns Seven-Figure Sum from Anti-Vaccination Advocacy Contradicting Previous Claims of Unpaid Labor
Donald Trump's incoming administration is currently tackling the approval process for his cabinet nominees, one of whom is the highly controversial pick, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Assigned to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy's appointment has drawn comparisons to Trump appointing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to head the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Known for his belief in fringe science and propensity for conspiracy theories, Kennedy aims to drastically alter the government's approach to public health.
The intense scrutiny of Kennedy's nomination is a common occurrence during such transitions. Surprisingly, the jury is still out on any major animal-related scandals, but journalists have unearthed several financial irregularities requiring further examination.
On a recent Wednesday, The Daily Beast uncovered that Kennedy had underreported his income from his "anti-vax" non-profit, Children's Health Defense, by a substantial sum of $431,156.72. According to Kennedy's previous statements, his role at the non-profit was unpaid. However, financial documents reveal that he actually received a significant income of $1.2 million between 2022 and 2023, and a total of $2.2 million from 2017 to 2023.
Kennedy attributes this discrepancy to an "inadvertent error" in his financial disclosures. In a letter to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Kennedy explained that he had made an accounting error by using net pay instead of gross wages when reporting his income from CHD.
Gizmodo reached out to the Trump transition team for comment but did not receive a response.
It's plausible that Kennedy, as a wealthy individual, does not view this sort of income as particularly significant. To the average American, however, $1 million still represents a substantial sum. Kennedy has even mentioned feeling uncompensated for his work, telling Tucker Carlson that his role at Children's Health Defense had been a "career-damaging" move.
Kennedy's manifesto, Make America Healthy Again (MAHA), may appear commendable in theory, but the ideologies and policies he advocates for public health could potentially jeopardize public health rather than improving it. Kennedy's confirmation hearings are slated to take place soon, and the Trump transition team is reportedly working to present him in a more palatable light. The Wall Street Journal has revealed that the team has sidelined some of Kennedy's aides over their vaccine-related beliefs, and Heather Flick, a former Trump official, has been appointed as Kennedy's chief of staff to mitigate potential public backlash.
[1] Source: Federal tax returns, financial documents, and news articles[2] Source: Open letters signed by doctors and Nobel Laureates
In light of these financial irregularities, questions about Kennedy's future involvement in tech-related policy decisions surrounding public health become pertinent. Given his affiliation with the tech-focused "anti-vax" non-profit, Children's Health Defense, it's essential that any potential future technology investments align with ethical standards and public interest.
Moving forward, the Senate should consider the long-term implications of Kennedy's confirmation on the future of public health technology, ensuring that advancements in tech contribute to societal well-being rather than perpetuating misinformation and endangering public health.