What Is RFK Jr. After?
In a recent episode of *Washington Week With The Atlantic*, host Jeffrey Goldberg welcomed Atlantic staff writer Michael Scherer to discuss his in-depth interviews with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has emerged as a controversial figure in American public health. Scherer highlighted Kennedy’s ambitious plans to transform the nation’s public-health system, revealing a complex portrait of a man caught between public perception and his determined vision. Kennedy, often viewed as a polarizing figure—regarded by some as a destroyer of scientific integrity and by others as a courageous challenger of the establishment—has traversed a remarkable journey from the fringes of the Democratic Party to a position of influence as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary under the Trump administration.
Scherer emphasized Kennedy’s resilience and unwavering commitment to his ideals, stating that he has navigated significant challenges and criticism without losing sight of his goals. This determination, Scherer suggested, is key to understanding Kennedy’s evolution and his current role in shaping public health policy. Alongside Scherer, the discussion featured insights from Dan Diamond of *The Washington Post* and Julie Rovner from KFF Health News, who contributed to a nuanced dialogue about the implications of Kennedy’s vision for public health. The episode not only sheds light on Kennedy’s controversial stance on vaccines and health initiatives but also examines how his past experiences and motivations inform his approach to public health today. For those interested in a deeper understanding of this influential figure and the future of America’s health policies, the full episode is available for viewing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0q_Oj425cU
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Over many interviews, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told the
Atlantic
staff writer Michael Scherer about how he plans to remake America’s public-health system. Scherer joined
Washington Week With The Atlantic
to discuss his story, and what the Health and Human Services secretary may be after.
“What we do know about RFK is the caricature he’s caught in—this daily battle between people who think he’s destroying science or people who think he’s taking on the establishment,” Scherer said last night. Less known, however, is how “he got from being at the edge of the Democratic Party” to becoming HHS secretary in the Trump administration.
“I think the answer is he’s a fiercely determined person who is on a quest,” Scherer continued. “He has been able to plow through enormous obstacles and enormous detractors to really not lose faith in his own vision of what he’s doing.”
Joining the editor in chief of
The Atlantic
, Jeffrey Goldberg, to discuss this and more: Scherer, a staff writer at
The Atlantic
; Dan Diamond, a White House reporter for
The Washington Post
; and Julie Rovner, the chief Washington correspondent and host of the podcast
What the Health
at
KFF Health News
.
Watch the full episode
here
.
