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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparred with CNN host Dana Bash over the rise in measles cases in the United States as well as vaccine efficacy on Sunday’s “State of the Union.”
Though the interview grew heated after Kennedy accused Bash of committing “press malpractice” based on what he said was a failure to challenge public health authorities during the COVID pandemic, Kennedy and Bash’s contention continued after Bash asked him about the record number of measles cases and whether he accepts “some responsibility.”
“Absolutely not,” Kennedy said. “First of all, this is an international outbreak. So, we’re doing better at handling it than any country in the world. Mexico has 15 times the amount of measles per capita that we have. Canada has four times the amount of measles. England has two times the amount of measles. Did I cause those measles outbreaks?”
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Bash suggested he bears some responsibility as the “most famous vaccine skeptic on the planet,” though Kennedy countered that former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci himself has said in his private diaries that COVID lockdowns were more responsible for children not being vaccinated for measles.
The CNN host, however, continued to demand Kennedy use his position to advocate for people to take the measles vaccine.
“What I want you to do is please use your bully pulpit to, right now, as we’re getting close to back to school, say — are you willing to say to parents who have not vaccinated their kids that they should vaccinate their kids for measles because it is safe, and it will help them save their children’s lives?” Bash asked.
“I tell people on my websites, my public…” Kennedy began.
“Right now. Look into the camera,” Bash interrupted.
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“I will say it right now, that people, parents should get their children vaccinated for measles. A measles vaccine is effective. It stops measles in about 97% of the cases. So, people should get vaccinated,” Kennedy said.
Bash went on to ask Kennedy about efforts to investigate connections between vaccines and autism. While Kennedy was explaining his position, he stopped to call out Bash for “rolling [her] eyes” at the issue.
“I don’t want to have you use our air to say this,” Bash said.
Bash then accused Kennedy of promoting vaccine skepticism by suggesting vaccines could cause autism, despite his previous support for the measles and MMR vaccine. Kennedy remarked that Bash appeared “flustered.”
“I am frustrated. The reason I’m frustrated is because I… you are the HHS secretary, and you are talking about things that lead to vaccine hesitancy in this country. And it is something that causes problems for people when there is not anything…” Bash said.
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“Let me ask you something. Do you see your job as ending vaccine hesitancy, or do you see your job as telling the truth to the American people?” Kennedy asked.
“I see my job as telling the truth,” Bash responded.
CNN defended Bash’s performance in a statement to Fox News Digital after it aired.
“Dana Bash is a veteran journalist who conducted a newsmaking interview with Secretary Kennedy in which he stated that he supports parents getting their children vaccinated against measles and addressed President Trump’s push for further study into autism and vaccines,” a CNN spokesperson said.
“Asking tough, substantive questions to those in power is the job of every journalist, and Dana did hers incredibly well today. We stand behind Dana, her reporting, and CNN’s overall coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the spokesperson added.
CNN stood by the statement when reached for further comment.
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