Warren on RFK Jr. pick: 'Say goodbye to your smile and say hello to polio'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sounded the alarm over anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect's Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

"Say goodbye to your smile and say hello to polio — that's what's on the horizon if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. becomes the Secretary of Health and Human Services," Warren wrote in a post on social platform X Friday, along with a video message.

"You know, I would laugh if it weren't so scary," the Massachusetts Democrat said in the video.

The post comes as Trump's choice to elevate Kennedy, an environmental lawyer, has sparked concern among Democrats and public health experts that he could meddle with key government agencies, amplify vaccine hesitancy and direct agency funding to favor his preferred views.

Kennedy, who suspended his own independent run for the White House and endorsed Trump, has been in the headlines lately after the president-elect signaled in a recent interview that the potential HHS chief would investigate a debunked link between vaccines and autism.

One of Kennedy's more controversial ideas is eliminating the use of fluoride, a naturally occurring substance that has been used in drinking water since 1945, from "all" U.S. water systems.

He also claimed the mineral was "associated" with numerous medical issues, though the issues are linked to a higher exposure to fluoride than most experience while drinking water or brushing their teeth.

Fluoride is largely considered one of the most important public health measures of the 20th century.

Kennedy, who became a key surrogate for Trump's campaign, has said federal health regulators are “sock puppets” held captive by industry special interests. He has promised to purge entire departments at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to eliminate corruption.

Warren, in her post, also took aim at Kennedy's opposition to vaccinations, claiming that he wants to "stop kids from getting their polio and measles shots."

Kennedy founded and led the anti-vaccine organization Children’s Health Defense (CHD) before stepping down to launch his presidential campaign in 2023. He has previously stated he believes the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal in vaccines causes childhood neurological disorders, autism in particular.

Though, in October, Kennedy wrote in a post on X that he won’t “take anyone’s vaccines away from them."

“I just want to be sure every American knows the safety profile, the risk profile, and the efficacy of each vaccine," he said. "That’s it.”

Topics

McConnell Defends Polio Vaccine, an Apparent Warning to RFK Jr.

“Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed — they’re dangerous,” said the former Republican leader, who is a polio survivor.
The New York Times - 54m
RFK Jr key adviser petitioned regulators to revoke approval of polio vaccine

Aaron Siri is helping Trump’s health secretary pick to select top jobs despite long history of attacking vaccines. A key legal adviser to Robert Kennedy Jr , Donald Trump ’s pick for health ...
The Guardian - 10h
Say goodbye to federal protections and hello to Trump’s advancing loyalist army

Among Donald Trump’s many disconcerting campaign promises is a pledge to fire tens of thousands of federal employees and replace them with loyalists. Some people have dismissed some of his other ...
The Hill - 1d
‘We will always be your people’: Wolff says emotional goodbye to Hamilton

Mercedes team principal hails historic partnership Verstappen learns punishment for swearing in Singapore Toto Wolff has bid Lewis Hamilton a heartfelt final farewell with what the Mercedes team ...
The Guardian - 4d
Trump says RFK Jr. will investigate discredited link between vaccines and autism

During an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, President-elect Donald Trump suggests that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his pick to run Health and Human Services, will investigate supposed links ...
NBC News - 5d
Trump says RFK Jr. will investigate the discredited link between vaccines and autism

Researchers attribute a rise in autism diagnoses to increased screening and changing definitions of the condition. Hundreds of studies have found childhood vaccines to be safe.
NBC News - 5d
Sanders says RFK Jr. "exactly correct" on food issues

The independent Vermont senator also called some of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s views "very wrong."
CBS News - Dec. 5
Bernie Sanders says RFK Jr. "exactly correct" about food industry

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont spoke to CBS News on Thursday about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services. Sanders ...
CBS News - Dec. 5
Bloomberg Says RFK Jr. Would Be ‘Beyond Dangerous’ as Health Secretary

Michael R. Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor and a public health advocate, is asking Senate Republicans to persuade President-elect Donald J. Trump to “rethink” Kennedy’s nomination.
The New York Times - Dec. 3