In a dramatic exchange, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) clashed with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his skepticism toward COVID vaccines. RFK denied the allegations from Saunders that he referred to the vaccine as the “deadliest ever,” and pivoted to acknowledging Trump’s decisive leadership.
For context, the allegedly independent Vermont Senator pressed Kennedy on his distrust of major medical organizations, such as the AMA and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which Kennedy noted were allegedly co-opted by pharmaceutical interests.
In any case, Sanders began his comments by saying, “President Trump, who I don’t usually agree with, called COVID-19 vaccines. Quote, one of the greatest miracles in the history of modern-day medicine that saved 10s of millions of lives worldwide. The scientific community agrees with Trump. A Lancet study found that it prevented almost 20 million deaths during its first year of use. Secretary Kennedy, are President Trump and the medical community right? Or do you still believe that the COVID-19 vaccine was,’ the deadliest vaccine ever made?'”
Firing back with an epic retort, RFK stated, “No, I, first of all, I didn’t say that. I said that in terms of affairs reports a while ago. I said today, I think that President Trump should get the Nobel Prize.” Pouncing, the self-described socialist asked, So who’s right? Is Trump in the medical community right, or are you right?”
Firing back, Kennedy noted, “President Trump did an extraordinary piece of leadership…he got Americans back to work at that time, that particular vaccine which perfectly matched the virus that was circulating then. And I have no idea how many lives it saved, but it saved quite a few.”
Making a cheap appeal to authority, Sanders whined, “We’ve got the entire medical community on one side…these organizations are telling us that the COVID-19 vaccine and Vaccines in general are safe and effective. You are casting doubt on that. Who are your scientific who are the organizations that are agreeing with you and casting aspersions on vaccines?”
Answering, RFK noted, “The primary advisors are Marty Maury, Jay Bhattacharya…” Before he could finish, the rude senator interrupted, “You got a few doctors who agree with you.” Clearly annoyed, RFK interjected, “What you’re talking about is there’s a big difference, Senator, between established science and the scientific establishment, which has been co-opted by the pharma [lobby].”
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Blasting the disrespectful senator, RKF declared, “Senator. But you know what? When you ran for president, you knew we have a corrupt campaign finance system. Maybe you’ll agree with me on that. Okay, you were brought in per the president. You got a billionaire behind it. You received $300,000 from people, not from the industry, people in it, as I did, from individuals. You are corrupt.”
Watch the clip here:
Melting down, a panicked Sanders frantically said, ” I don’t even know what you’re talking about…. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Continuing undeterred, RFK said, “I’m saying the pharmaceutical industry is a greedy institution that is charging us the highest prices in the world. They are pervasive. But to suggest that every institution, the AMA, the pediatrics people, is corrupt because they disagree with you, is it insulting?”
Featured image from embedded video