Health and Human Services Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rfk-jr-criticized-by-senators-over-vaccine-and-abortion-remarks-8674870" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a> made his first appearance at the FDA on Friday, but instead of reassuring staff, his remarks left many stunned.
In an unscripted 40-minute speech, Kennedy referenced conspiracy theories, criticised agency staff, and accused the FDA of being controlled by corporate interests.
<h2>'The Deep State is real,' says Kennedy</h2>
&ldquo;President Trump always talks about the Deep State, and the media, you know, disparages him and says that he&rsquo;s paranoid,&rdquo; Kennedy told the audience, according to a transcript and audio obtained by Politico.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-mocking-joe-biden-for-cognitive-decline-us-president-donald-trump-himself-cant-recall-details-of-his-favourite-cognitive-test-8954872" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">After mocking Biden for cognitive decline, Trump himself can't recall details of his 'favourite' cognitive test</a>
&ldquo;But the Deep State is real. And it&rsquo;s not, you know, just George Soros and Bill Gates and a bunch of nefarious individuals sitting together in a room and plotting the, you know, the destruction of humanity,&rdquo; Kennedy.
He went on to argue that every human institution eventually ends up in the hands of powerful interest groups.
&ldquo;All of us are subject to those gravities of agency capture,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Be conscious of that gravity because it&rsquo;s going to be pulling you every single day of your career. We want to break away from this so we can make our kids healthy,&rdquo; he added.
Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/texas-health-secretary-rfk-jr-warns-about-measles-outbreak-8901752" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Texas: Health Secretary RFK Jr warns about measles outbreak</a>
Kennedy urged FDA staff to see his term as a chance to listen to &ldquo;dissidents&rdquo; and free the department from outside influence.
<h2>'Sock puppet' of industry</h2>
In another controversial moment, Kennedy described the FDA as having become a &ldquo;sock puppet&rdquo; for the very industries it is meant to regulate. He blamed rising rates of chronic disease, allergies, and other illnesses on unknown environmental toxins.
&ldquo;This whole generation is damaged,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The information is out there. But those studies aren&rsquo;t done because they may offend the financial interests of powerful entities,&rdquo; he added.
In a personal anecdote, Kennedy reflected on the time he spent at the Wassaic State School in New York.
&ldquo;Because of my family&rsquo;s commitment to these issues, I spent 200 hours at Wassaic Home for the Retarded when I was in high school,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;So I was seeing people with intellectual disabilities all the time. I never saw anybody with autism.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/jeffrey-epsteins-contact-list-with-big-names-like-michael-jackson-rfk-jrs-mom-alec-baldwin-released-by-donald-trump-administration-8763628" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jeffrey Epstein's contact list with big names like Michael Jackson, RFK Jr's mom, Alec Baldwin released by Trump admin</a>
The comment drew further criticism, especially as Kennedy has previously been accused of pushing discredited theories linking vaccines and autism.
Just days earlier, Kennedy had justified the planned removal of 10,000 federal employees, saying HHS would have to &ldquo;do more with less.&rdquo; The mass layoff plan has already sparked pushback from both inside and outside the department.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: “President Trump always talks about the Deep State, and the media, you know, disparages him and says that he’s paranoid,” Kennedy told the audience, according to a transcript and audio.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his first appearance at the FDA on Friday, but instead of reassuring staff, his remarks left many stunned. In an unscripted 40-minute speech, Kennedy referenced conspiracy theories, criticised agency staff, and accused the FDA of being controlled by corporate interests. 'The Deep State is real,' says Kennedy “President Trump always talks about the Deep State, and the media, you know, disparages him and says that he’s paranoid,” Kennedy told the audience, according to a transcript and audio obtained by Politico. Also read: After mocking Biden for cognitive decline, Trump himself can't recall details of his 'favourite' cognitive test “But the Deep State is real. And it’s not, you know, just George Soros and Bill Gates and a bunch of nefarious individuals sitting together in a room and plotting the, you know, the destruction of humanity,” Kennedy. He went on to argue that every human institution eventually ends up in the hands of powerful interest groups. “All of us are subject to those gravities of agency capture,” he said. “Be conscious of that gravity because it’s going to be pulling you every single day of your career. We want to break away from this so we can make our kids healthy,” he added. Watch: Texas: Health Secretary RFK Jr warns about measles outbreak Kennedy urged FDA staff to see his term as a chance to listen to “dissidents” and free the department from outside influence. 'Sock puppet' of industry In another controversial moment, Kennedy described the FDA as having become a “sock puppet” for the very industries it is meant to regulate. He blamed rising rates of chronic disease, allergies, and other illnesses on unknown environmental toxins. “This whole generation is damaged,” he said. “The information is out there. But those studies aren’t done because they may offend the financial interests of powerful entities,” he added. In a personal anecdote, Kennedy reflected on the time he spent at the Wassaic State School in New York. “Because of my family’s commitment to these issues, I spent 200 hours at Wassaic Home for the Retarded when I was in high school,” he said. “So I was seeing people with intellectual disabilities all the time. I never saw anybody with autism.” Also read: Jeffrey Epstein's contact list with big names like Michael Jackson, RFK Jr's mom, Alec Baldwin released by Trump admin The comment drew further criticism, especially as Kennedy has previously been accused of pushing discredited theories linking vaccines and autism. Just days earlier, Kennedy had justified the planned removal of 10,000 federal employees, saying HHS would have to “do more with less.” The mass layoff plan has already sparked pushback from both inside and outside the department. (With inputs from agencies)

'Deep State is real': US health chief RFK Jr. pushes conspiracy claims, says media thinks Trump is 'paranoid'

Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has made headlines with yet another controversial appointment to his administration, naming Robert F Kennedy Jr as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has made headlines with yet another controversial appointment to his administration, naming Robert F Kennedy Jr as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump said, “The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country.” “Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!” he added. Divisive appointment Robert F Kennedy Jr is a polarising figure, known for his vocal stance against vaccines and his promotion of baseless health claims. He has spread conspiracy theories about vaccine safety and has made controversial statements about fluoride, claiming it is linked to health problems like bone fractures, cancer, and thyroid disorders. However, organisations like the American Dental Association continue to advocate for adding fluoride to tap water as a safe and effective public health measure. Also read: 'Good news,' Trump ally Elon Musk met with Iran’s UN ambassador: Report In his acceptance statement, Kennedy Jr pledged to prioritise the health of Americans. “I look forward to working with the more than 80,000 employees at HHS to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth,” he said. Strong reactions The appointment sparked mixed reactions. Critics argue that Kennedy Jr’s controversial views are not good for public health. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, said, “Robert F Kennedy Jr is a clear and present danger to the nation’s health. He shouldn’t be allowed in the building at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), let alone be placed in charge of the nation’s public health agency.” The group added, “Donald Trump’s bungling of public health policy during the Covid pandemic cost hundreds of thousands of lives. By appointing Kennedy as his secretary of HHS, Trump is courting another, policy-driven public health catastrophe.” This could not be more dangerous. There's no telling how far an anti-vaxxer & fringe conspiracy theorist like RFK Jr. could set America back in terms of public health, reproductive rights, research, & more. And the consequences are not theoretical—they're life or death issues. https://t.co/nE3Lw2oJRE — Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) November 14, 2024 × California Representative Robert Garcia called the nomination “f***ing insane” and said Kennedy’s leadership would undermine the country’s vaccine distribution systems, potentially costing lives. Senator Patty Murray echoed similar concerns, calling Kennedy an “anti-vaxxer and fringe conspiracy theorist” and labelling the decision a “life or death issues.” I’m excited by the news that the President-Elect will appoint @RobertKennedyJr to @HHSGov. He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than… pic.twitter.com/cILtTYplcn — Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) November 14, 2024 × However, not everyone has criticised the move. Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he shared Kennedy Jr’s concerns about reforming institutions like HHS and the FDA. Polis later said that his support for Kennedy Jr did not diminish his support for vaccines and medical science. “If as a country we follow the science we would also be far more concerned about the impact of pesticides on public health, ag policy on nutrition, and the lack of access to prescription drugs due to drug high prices. This is why I am for a major shake-up in institutions like the FDA that have been barriers to lowering drug costs and promoting healthy food choices,” Polis said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Public health catastrophe,' critics react as Trump picks RFK Jr for top health post

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and New York Magazine journalist Olivia Nuzzi were not merely having a casual affair, but indulged in “incredible” FaceTime sex, Page Six has reported.&nbsp;

The report claims that Nuzzi was repulsed and disgusted after Kennedy pursued her and seemingly made passes in October.&nbsp;However, as the two had more conversations, about the interview and her piece, things changed dramatically. They texted each other and this is when the Kennedy scion "love-bombed" her, claiming things like he can't live without her.

His act made her fall madly in love with him and she engaged in a digital relationship with him for nearly a year while she was still engaged. According to the report, the two talked with each other on the phone, sent endless texts and had online sex.&nbsp;

Sources told the publication that despite hinting that he might sue Nuzzi, Kennedy is still "madly in love with her". However, he had made it clear to her that he would not leave his wife, actress Cheryl Hines.

Nuzzi was assigned to interview the 70-year-old who had thrown his hat into the ring for the presidential race. He supposedly "grabbed her arm" and told her that they should have sex during a hike in Los Angeles.&nbsp;

Nuzzi later told her friends and an editor at New York, that his sudden gesture scared her as they were in a secluded area. He later sent her an "eerie message", in which he said he had “wanted to tell her something” on the walk.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/robert-f-kennedy-jr-had-sexting-affair-with-reporter-who-allegedly-sent-him-nudes-report-760703">Olivia Nuzzi allegedly sent nudes to Robert F Kennedy Jr during 'sexting' affair: Report</a>

The two remained in contact for the interview and as the conversations progressed, things took a turn between the two, the report suggests.&nbsp;

She reportedly once suggested that they should go hiking again, but with their respective partners. Kennedy is said to have told her that his wife only likes to go hiking "in the mall". However, a friend of Nuzzi&nbsp;denied she talked about going hiking with their partners.&nbsp;

In the following weeks, Nuzzi became “infatuated” with Kennedy. Her friends noticed a change in her personality over the months, as per the report.&nbsp;

"He love-bombed her," a source told Page Six. "He’s done it to lots of women — claimed he can’t live without them. He told Olivia they’d be together after the election."

Nuzzi even talked to her friends about being attracted to a man whom she did not name. Others said that she was quite open about the romance, while Kennedy apparently boasted about it to his friends.&nbsp;

"Olivia told multiple people that they told each other they loved each other [over the phone] every time they talked."

Another source said that they had "incredible" sex over FaceTime, and Nuzzi even told her friends that Kennedy had impressive sexual stamina.

Her fiance, journalist Ryan Lizza, came to know about the affair around August and confronted her. The two have called off the engagement. Nuzzi has been put on leave by her editors at New York magazine.

Meanwhile, Hines hasn't commented on the matter but was seen without her wedding ring after the news broke.&nbsp;

Kennedy’s campaign claims that he "only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested". 
&nbsp;

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and New York Magazine journalist Olivia Nuzzi were not merely having a casual affair, but indulged in “incredible” FaceTime sex, Page Six has reported.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and New York Magazine journalist Olivia Nuzzi were not merely having a casual affair, but indulged in “incredible” FaceTime sex, Page Six has reported. The report claims that Nuzzi was repulsed and disgusted after Kennedy pursued her and seemingly made passes in October. However, as the two had more conversations, about the interview and her piece, things changed dramatically. They texted each other and this is when the Kennedy scion "love-bombed" her, claiming things like he can't live without her. His act made her fall madly in love with him and she engaged in a digital relationship with him for nearly a year while she was still engaged. According to the report, the two talked with each other on the phone, sent endless texts and had online sex. Sources told the publication that despite hinting that he might sue Nuzzi, Kennedy is still "madly in love with her". However, he had made it clear to her that he would not leave his wife, actress Cheryl Hines. Nuzzi was assigned to interview the 70-year-old who had thrown his hat into the ring for the presidential race. He supposedly "grabbed her arm" and told her that they should have sex during a hike in Los Angeles. Nuzzi later told her friends and an editor at New York, that his sudden gesture scared her as they were in a secluded area. He later sent her an "eerie message", in which he said he had “wanted to tell her something” on the walk. Also Read: Olivia Nuzzi allegedly sent nudes to Robert F Kennedy Jr during 'sexting' affair: Report The two remained in contact for the interview and as the conversations progressed, things took a turn between the two, the report suggests. She reportedly once suggested that they should go hiking again, but with their respective partners. Kennedy is said to have told her that his wife only likes to go hiking "in the mall". However, a friend of Nuzzi denied she talked about going hiking with their partners. In the following weeks, Nuzzi became “infatuated” with Kennedy. Her friends noticed a change in her personality over the months, as per the report. "He love-bombed her," a source told Page Six. "He’s done it to lots of women — claimed he can’t live without them. He told Olivia they’d be together after the election." Nuzzi even talked to her friends about being attracted to a man whom she did not name. Others said that she was quite open about the romance, while Kennedy apparently boasted about it to his friends. "Olivia told multiple people that they told each other they loved each other [over the phone] every time they talked." Another source said that they had "incredible" sex over FaceTime, and Nuzzi even told her friends that Kennedy had impressive sexual stamina. Her fiance, journalist Ryan Lizza, came to know about the affair around August and confronted her. The two have called off the engagement. Nuzzi has been put on leave by her editors at New York magazine. Meanwhile, Hines hasn't commented on the matter but was seen without her wedding ring after the news broke. Kennedy’s campaign claims that he "only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested".

Olivia Nuzzi was impressed with Kennedy's 'sexual stamina', duo 'madly in love': Report

Days after dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Donald Trump, independent White House candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr&nbsp;has revealed what forced him to take the call.&nbsp;

RFK stated that his campaign failed to gain steam due to "censorship" by the media.&nbsp;

"It became clear to me that I did not have a path to victory," Kennedy said. "Sixteen months of censorship, of not being able to get on any network really except for Fox," said RFK in&nbsp;an interview with Shannon Bream on "Fox News Sunday".&nbsp;

"When Ross Perot ran, in the 10 months that he ran, he had 34 appearances on the networks. I had two appearances in 16 months, so I was blocked out of the networks, and I was blocked out of the debate. I had no path to victory."

As for extending his support to Trump and not the Democrats, RFK said the former president had been reaching out to his campaign periodically, with the two speaking just a few hours after the failed assassination attempt against the republican leader last month.&nbsp;

"He [Trump] invited me to form a unity government. We agreed that we'd be able to continue to criticize each other on the issues where we don't agree, but these issues are so important and they're a way of unifying the country," Kennedy added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-rfk-jr-endorses-trump-as-he-suspends-his-campaign-752874">Watch |&nbsp;US: RFK Jr. endorses Trump as he suspends his campaign</a>

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<h2>Kennedy's support for Trump</h2>

Kennedy, 70, the son of late Democrat&nbsp;politician and US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, started his campaign as a Democrat, challenging President Joe Biden for the nomination.

However, In October last year, Kennedy dropped out of the Democratic primary race to pursue his independent bid for the presidency. For a short period, both the Biden and Trump campaigns showed signs they were worried that Kennedy could draw enough support to change the election outcome.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-election-rfk-jr-endorses-trump-but-how-much-momentum-will-it-give-752900">Also read |&nbsp;US presidential election: RFK Jr. endorses Trump, but how much momentum will it give?</a>

The tide has since changed and Kennedy's support to Trump is expected to provide a marginal gain to the former president. RFK, however, has trained his guns on the Democrats for not being 'democratic' enough in choosing their presidential candidate.&nbsp;

After Biden dropped out of the race, the Democrats named Kamala Harris as their candidate despite the vice president not having won a single primary.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Days after dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Donald Trump, independent White House candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has revealed what forced him to take the call.

Days after dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Donald Trump, independent White House candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has revealed what forced him to take the call. RFK stated that his campaign failed to gain steam due to "censorship" by the media. "It became clear to me that I did not have a path to victory," Kennedy said. "Sixteen months of censorship, of not being able to get on any network really except for Fox," said RFK in an interview with Shannon Bream on "Fox News Sunday". "When Ross Perot ran, in the 10 months that he ran, he had 34 appearances on the networks. I had two appearances in 16 months, so I was blocked out of the networks, and I was blocked out of the debate. I had no path to victory." As for extending his support to Trump and not the Democrats, RFK said the former president had been reaching out to his campaign periodically, with the two speaking just a few hours after the failed assassination attempt against the republican leader last month. "He [Trump] invited me to form a unity government. We agreed that we'd be able to continue to criticize each other on the issues where we don't agree, but these issues are so important and they're a way of unifying the country," Kennedy added. Watch | US: RFK Jr. endorses Trump as he suspends his campaign × Kennedy's support for Trump Kennedy, 70, the son of late Democrat politician and US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, started his campaign as a Democrat, challenging President Joe Biden for the nomination. However, In October last year, Kennedy dropped out of the Democratic primary race to pursue his independent bid for the presidency. For a short period, both the Biden and Trump campaigns showed signs they were worried that Kennedy could draw enough support to change the election outcome. Also read | US presidential election: RFK Jr. endorses Trump, but how much momentum will it give? The tide has since changed and Kennedy's support to Trump is expected to provide a marginal gain to the former president. RFK, however, has trained his guns on the Democrats for not being 'democratic' enough in choosing their presidential candidate. After Biden dropped out of the race, the Democrats named Kamala Harris as their candidate despite the vice president not having won a single primary. (With inputs from agencies)

RFK Jr reveals why he dropped out of presidential race and endorsed Trump

After former United States President&nbsp;Donald Trump's attempted assassination,&nbsp;his successor Joe Biden has ordered the US Secret Service to extend protection to independent presidential candidate Robert F&nbsp;Kennedy Jr, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced on Monday (July 15).

Kennedy has little chance of winning Electoral College votes or the presidency, but his campaign events attract large crowds interested in his message.&nbsp;

For months, his campaign has urged the president to provide him with Secret Service security. Additionally, Kennedy&nbsp;has also submitted repeated requests following multiple incidents.

In October, a man was arrested for trespassing twice in one day at Kennedy's Los Angeles home. The month before, an armed man pretending to be a federal officer was detained outside a Kennedy campaign event.

Kennedy's uncle, President John F&nbsp;Kennedy, and his father, Senator Robert F&nbsp;Kennedy, were both assassinated.

Kennedy stated in a statement, "Thank you, President Biden, for extending me Secret Service protection." &nbsp;

He also praised Gavin de Becker &amp; Associates, his private security agency, "for keeping me safe for the past 15 months of my presidential campaign."

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that Biden ordered Kennedy's protection "both prior to and after the events of this past weekend."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jd-vance-marine-corps-veteran-bestselling-author-us-senator-10-things-to-know-about-trumps-running-mate-741387">JD Vance: Marine Corps veteran, bestselling author, US Senator- 10 things to know about Trump's running mate</a>

The Secret Service must protect major party presidential and vice presidential candidates and their families starting 120 days before a general election, but third-party candidates receive protection as needed. Kennedy, who has spent millions on private security, said this expense limits his campaign efforts.

The Department of Homeland Security noted in its 2024 budget overview that requests for candidate protection are being made earlier than before.

Threats to political candidates are common, but law enforcement officials have noted an increase in violent rhetoric since the weekend attack at the Trump rally. Mayorkas mentioned that both Biden and Trump are "constantly the subject of threats."

"We are in a heightened and very dynamic threat environment," he said.

Kennedy met with Trump on Monday "to discuss national unity," according to spokesperson Stefanie Spear. She added that Kennedy also hopes to meet with Democratic leaders and is not dropping out of the race.

(With inputs from agencies)

After former United States President Donald Trump's attempted assassination, his successor Joe Biden has ordered the US Secret Service to extend protection to independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced on Monday (July 15).

After former United States President Donald Trump's attempted assassination, his successor Joe Biden has ordered the US Secret Service to extend protection to independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced on Monday (July 15). Kennedy has little chance of winning Electoral College votes or the presidency, but his campaign events attract large crowds interested in his message. For months, his campaign has urged the president to provide him with Secret Service security. Additionally, Kennedy has also submitted repeated requests following multiple incidents. In October, a man was arrested for trespassing twice in one day at Kennedy's Los Angeles home. The month before, an armed man pretending to be a federal officer was detained outside a Kennedy campaign event. Kennedy's uncle, President John F Kennedy, and his father, Senator Robert F Kennedy, were both assassinated. Kennedy stated in a statement, "Thank you, President Biden, for extending me Secret Service protection." He also praised Gavin de Becker & Associates, his private security agency, "for keeping me safe for the past 15 months of my presidential campaign." Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that Biden ordered Kennedy's protection "both prior to and after the events of this past weekend." Also read: JD Vance: Marine Corps veteran, bestselling author, US Senator- 10 things to know about Trump's running mate The Secret Service must protect major party presidential and vice presidential candidates and their families starting 120 days before a general election, but third-party candidates receive protection as needed. Kennedy, who has spent millions on private security, said this expense limits his campaign efforts. The Department of Homeland Security noted in its 2024 budget overview that requests for candidate protection are being made earlier than before. Threats to political candidates are common, but law enforcement officials have noted an increase in violent rhetoric since the weekend attack at the Trump rally. Mayorkas mentioned that both Biden and Trump are "constantly the subject of threats." "We are in a heightened and very dynamic threat environment," he said. Kennedy met with Trump on Monday "to discuss national unity," according to spokesperson Stefanie Spear. She added that Kennedy also hopes to meet with Democratic leaders and is not dropping out of the race. (With inputs from agencies)

President Biden orders Secret Service protection for Robert F Kennedy Jr after Trump assassination attempt