Trump Comments on Kennedy During Senate Hearing
President Donald Trump interacted with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. on Thursday, describing him as “different” following a challenging Senate hearing. Speaking to reporters during a dinner with tech executives at the White House, Trump was asked about the proceedings.
When a reporter questioned Trump’s confidence in Kennedy amid claims of vaccine denials linked to Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Trump admitted he hadn’t followed the hearing closely but mentioned, “He’s a very nice guy.” He added that Kennedy makes sense and has a distinctive perspective.
Trump also praised Kennedy’s performance at the hearing, noting the unconventional nature of his views, especially on health issues and vaccines. “I like the fact that he’s different,” Trump stated, referencing the broader context of health challenges in the country.
During the Senate Finance Committee hearing, Kennedy faced considerable backlash from Democrat senators. Senator Ron Wyden accused him of compromising children’s health with careless policies and expressed skepticism over Kennedy’s commitment to change. Wyden emphasized the lack of accountability, questioning Kennedy’s apparent lack of regret for his previous actions.
Kennedy defended his stance, pointing to the rising rates of chronic illness among children over the years, questioning Wyden’s long tenure in office. “In 20, 25 years, our children’s chronic illness has risen to 76%,” Kennedy remarked, suggesting broader systemic issues rather than blaming individuals like himself.
Vice President J.D. Vance also voiced support for Kennedy, pushing back against Wyden’s accusations. He labeled the senator’s remarks as disingenuous, stating, “You’re full of s—and everyone knows it.” This added another layer to the ongoing debate over health policies in the U.S., particularly those involving children’s welfare.
In the backdrop of the hearing, more than a thousand current and former HHS employees organized to call for Kennedy’s resignation, a move supported by Senator Bernie Sanders.
