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RFK Jr. Bombarded Bill Nye with Autism Texts, TV Scientist Says
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TV scientist Bill Nye said he cut Robert F. Kennedy Jr. off after the now-health secretary bombarded him with text messages about autism.
The host of Bill Nye the Science Guy, whose show has educated millions of viewers about science, spoke about Kennedy in a new interview with Men's Health.
Newsweek has contacted the United States Department of Health and Human Services, via email, for a response.
Why It Matters
Kennedy has long faced backlash for some of his positions on health and medicine, especially vaccines.
During his Senate confirmation in January, Kennedy insisted that he was not anti-vaccine, that he believes vaccines "play a critical role in healthcare."
Critics say Kennedy's agenda undermines the scientific process and risks eroding decades of public trust in vaccines, while others argue that his new approach is what Americans voted for.
(R) U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attends President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (L)...
(R) U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attends President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (L) Bill Nye attends the arrivals of Sierra Club's 2025 Trail Blazers Ball at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA on April 2, 2025 More
Win McNamee//Sipa via AP Images
What To Know
Nye, who met Kennedy before he became health secretary, through their mutual actor friend Ed Begley Jr., showed what Men's Health reporter Chantel Anderson described as "miles and miles of texts" from Kennedy with "few interruptions, screen after screen."
"Just no self-awareness," Nye said. "And if you read these articles he sent, they're all this speculation about autism and just cause-and-effect, and mercury in vaccines, that maybe there's a connection."
Nye said he replied to Kennedy, "Okay, I'll read your book. I think you've confused causation with correlation. Your friend, Bill."
But, when Kennedy responded with "more miles of texts," Nye told him: "Okay, no more texts."
"And he started again," Nye said, "so I cut him off."
He added that Kennedy doesn't have "good judgement" and is "not suited" to be health secretary.
Nye went on to speak about the measles outbreak in Texas, where 744 cases have been confirmed since late January, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Kennedy has faced criticism from both anti-vax activists and advocates of vaccines.
In March, he sparked anger from anti-vax activists when he called on parents to "consult with their healthcare providers to understand their options to get the MMR vaccine," with one saying he is "no different than Fauci."
But he has also faced backlash from those in favor of vaccines for some of his comments, including when he told Fox News: "When you and I were kids, everybody got measles, and measles gave you ... lifetime protection against measles infection. The vaccine doesn't do that. The vaccine is effective for some people for life, but for many people, it wanes."
Director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Paul Offit, told HealthDay that this could not be true given that measles was declared eliminated in America in 2000.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., testifies before a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Health and Human Services,...
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., testifies before a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Health and Human Services, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Washington. More
AP
What People Are Saying
Kennedy said during his confirmation hearing, while arguing that he is not anti-vaccine: "In my advocacy, I've often disturbed the status quo by asking uncomfortable questions. Well, I'm not going to apologize for that – we have massive health problems in this country that we must face honestly."
Nye said in his interview with Men's Health: "I went to elementary school with a guy who had polio. You do not want polio! And the reason you don't get polio is because of a vaccine that was discovered that keeps you from getting polio! What is wrong with you, man?"
What Happens Next
Kennedy is yet to respond to Nye's comments about him.
It comes as the health secretary announced eight new experts on a panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
