Exclusive: USA TODAY reporter Will Carless previews RFK Jr.’s interview
USA TODAY correspondent Will Carless shares the story in an exclusive interview with the HHS Division. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
WASHINGTON — The undisputed architect and leader of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement is here for a rare interview.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a lawyer and activist, spent his first year in office fundamentally changing the way government interacts with health care. Under his leadership, the nation’s vaccine guidelines were rewritten. He literally upended the food pyramid and withheld billions of dollars in subsidies.
We ask Kennedy here about his MAHA movement. This is part of my research for Episode 2 of Extreme Normal, a show that examines how movements, ideas, and leaders once considered fringe have become integral to the mainstream of American politics.
Perhaps no one embodies this trend more than Kennedy. Kennedy, once ridiculed and dismissed for his unconformist views on vaccines, nutrition and exercise, now leads a vast number of followers and followers.
About 4 in 10 parents identify as MAHA supporters, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation/Washington Post poll.
RFK Jr. hasn’t had a flu shot since 2005. Here’s why:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hasn’t had a flu shot since 2005 and blamed the vaccine for his voice condition.
And its popularity crosses party lines. Eight in 10 Republicans identify as a MAHA parent, as do 1 in 6 Democrats. Opinion polls found that about a third of parents who identify as independent support the movement.
We’re here primarily to discuss vaccines and nutrition, but also Kennedy’s inherent distrust of the U.S. government’s approach to medicine and science. Episode 2 of Extremely Normal delves into this movement in an attempt to understand the concept of “Crunchy Moms.”
In the past, “crunch” was synonymous with liberal and progressive beliefs. No more. These days, it has become synonymous with conservatives who distrust scientific authority. And Kennedy, who favored the new crunch movement, is revered by that movement.
Over the next 26 minutes, you’ll touch on everything from the benefits of cooking in cast iron pots, to the potential dangers of cell phone towers, to the health benefits of peptide injections.
There will be revelations, new details, and tidbits that hint at Kennedy’s views and beliefs.
among them:
- Kennedy only eats meat and fermented foods. every day.
- He attributes his 20-pound weight loss to this “carnivore diet.”
- The last time he received a vaccine was in 2005.
- He thought his voice might have been damaged by side effects from the flu shot, so he stopped getting it.
- He is concerned about 5G cell towers.
- He does not give seed oil to children.
- He doesn’t wash cast iron pots.
RFK Jr. says electromagnetic waves are a big health concern
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And there was other interesting news Kennedy provided during our conversation, particularly his firm views on vaccines and their safety, which will be featured in Episode 2 of Very Normal.
Twenty minutes later, a member of Kennedy’s staff (and a USA TODAY producer) cuts his hand in front of his neck.
cut. It’s time for a cut.
But I have one more question.
I lean over and ask.
“Have you ever been worried? Is there anything you’re worried about? Have you ever laid awake at night wondering if what you’re introducing could be bad for your health, could be causing people’s deaths?”
First, Kennedy’s answer is pretty standard.
“My job as HHS secretary is to tell people the truth and then let them make decisions. But for an agency like this to be effective, there has to be public trust.”
He continues:
“We don’t tell noble lies. We tell the truth, no matter the consequences.”
fair enough.
But what if following the truth has negative consequences in the future? You ask. Even if it wasn’t your intention?
Now, Kennedy is furious.
“What’s the other option? Is it to manipulate people?” he says. “You’re now encouraging me to manipulate people and lie for your own benefit, and I don’t think that’s a legitimate government job.”
USA TODAY has filmed the entire interview, which will be published next week. You can see Kennedy speak out in favor of red meat, against seed oils, and give his thoughts on microdosing hallucinogens.
Many people would agree with what he says. Many people would disagree.
Will Carless Covering extremism and emerging issues from USA TODAY. This story is part of a new documentary series.”extremely normal” explores the new frontiers of extremism across the country.
