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Kennedy to Deliver Keynote for Anti-Vaccine Group He Once Led
Confirmed
In Short: Former presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. is set to return to the stage of the Children's Health Defense conference, a full-circle moment for the anti-vaccine advocate who once chaired the organization.
Robert Kennedy Jr. is set to deliver a keynote speech at the Children's Health Defense conference, a nonprofit that questions the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccines. The group, which has gained significant political influence, is hosting the event at the Grand Hyatt Washington on Thursday.
Kennedy, who chaired the organization until December 2024, earned a six-figure salary and helped file lawsuits targeting state-level vaccine policies. His return to the stage marks a significant shift in the group's political standing, as he is now in a position of power within the Department of Health and Human Services.
During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy attempted to distance himself from the anti-vaccine group to secure Republican support. However, his past actions and statements have come under scrutiny, with Bernie Sanders pointing to images of 'Unvaxxed, Unafraid' onesies sold by the group.
What's confirmed
- Robert Kennedy Jr. is set to deliver a keynote speech at the Children's Health Defense conference, a nonprofit that questions the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccines. The group, which has gained significant political influence, is hosting the event at the Grand Hyatt Washington on Thursday.
- Kennedy, who chaired the organization until December 2024, earned a six-figure salary and helped file lawsuits targeting state-level vaccine policies. His return to the stage marks a significant shift in the group's political standing, as he is now in a position of power within the Department of Health and Human Services.
- During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy attempted to distance himself from the anti-vaccine group to secure Republican support. However, his past actions and statements have come under scrutiny, with Bernie Sanders pointing to images of 'Unvaxxed, Unafraid' onesies sold by the group.
What's still developing
- “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome our founder back to the CHD stage,” the nonprofit said in an email announcing Kennedy as a speaker.
- He took leave from the group during his campaign for the presidency, and severed ties permanently shortly before President Trump took office.
- Ideas that are central to the group’s beliefs, but were once considered fringe, such as the disproven theory that vaccines cause autism, have been echoed by Trump in the White House The group’s leaders, including attorney Mary Holland, have attended high-profile MAHA gatherings in Washington, and gained positions within the Department of Health and Human Services.
- The CHD conference will serve as the secretary’s first public embrace of the group since he took the helm of HHS — a marked shift from January 2025, when Kennedy promised senators he would not do anything to discourage Americans from getting vaccines.
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