"You're Not a Scientist" "Neither Are You"... US Health Secretary and CNN Anchor Clash in Heated Exchange

▲ Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), appeared on CNN and engaged in a heated debate with the anchor over measles, COVID-19, vaccines, and autism.

Secretary Kennedy appeared on the CNN political talk program "State of the Union" on August 2 (local time).

During the broadcast, he blamed Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), for failing to properly respond to COVID-19, while making unfounded claims regarding vaccines, measles, and COVID-19, CNN reported.

First, Secretary Kennedy claimed, "We had a higher mortality rate from COVID-19 than any nation on Earth."

Targeting former director Fauci, he argued that Fauci was responsible for the deaths and infections of millions of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that lockdowns should have been lifted.

In response, anchor Dana Bash pointed out based on Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine data that this was not true, but Secretary Kennedy refused to accept it.

Secretary Kennedy also criticized CNN, saying, "They tried to scare people, and that's what CNN does."

He also blamed the measles outbreak on Fauci rather than himself, emphasizing, "It's because COVID-19 lockdowns prevented children from receiving measles vaccinations."

The clash between the two reached its peak when discussing the alleged link between autism and acetaminophen use.

When Secretary Kennedy asserted the connection and remarked, "You're probably not understanding this because you're not a scientist," Bash retorted, "Neither are you."

The two interrupted each other and expressed displeasure by rebutting in loud voices.

The day after the interview on August 3, CNN gathered evidence to refute Secretary Kennedy's remarks on measles, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and autism, presenting them in a fact-check format.

In a statement, CNN also praised Bash, stating, "Dana is a veteran journalist. Asking tough yet important questions of those in power is the job of every journalist, and Dana did that exceptionally well."

(Photo: Getty Images)

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