Latest news with #Bigtree
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. should handpick vaccine scientists, former adviser says
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should recruit scientists who want to seek proof that vaccines cause autism, one of his past advisers said at a POLITICO event Wednesday. Del Bigtree, who was Kennedy's communications director during his presidential campaign and now leads a group promoting Kennedy's 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, dismissed widely replicated studies finding no link to autism because he alleged that they were conducted by scientists who wanted to find that result. 'Get scientists who say, 'I think I can prove vaccines do cause autism,'' he added. 'If they can't pull that off, now you have a true safety profile.' Bigtree's comments were part of a full-throated assault on regulatory agencies he painted as servants of 'Big Ag, Big Food and Big Pharma.' During POLITICO's First 100 Days: Health Care event, Bigtree said the regulatory system Kennedy now leads as secretary of Health and Human Services has long approved 'poisons' produced by industry for public consumption. He urged Kennedy to root out corporate influence at HHS. That would defy long-standing Republican deference to private business. Bigtree said federal agencies should not be funded by industries, suggesting Kennedy's advisers are pushing for major reforms to the current user fee system at the HHS agency that oversees food and drugs, the FDA. 'Finally we have someone at the head of HHS not owned by these corporations,' Bigtree said of Kennedy. 'I think he's looking for the right type of people.' During Kennedy's confirmation hearings, he refused to disavow his past statements drawing the autism link, telling senators he would not take away anyone's vaccines, but would pursue research and 'radical transparency' on vaccine science. Bigtree said Kennedy should review HHS employees' histories to see whether they worked for industry and also vet their views about the causes of chronic disease. Kennedy has said he believes unhealthy food and chemicals in the environment are responsible for increases in such conditions. 'Robert Kennedy Jr. has to sit down with the team and bring people and say, 'What have you done over the last four years,'' he said. 'If they're not producing real results and good science, maybe there's a better job for them somewhere else.' Hiring scientists more skeptical of industry and of existing vaccine science would help restore the public's flagging trust in the government's health care bureaucracy, Bigtree said, adding that he thought Kennedy could safely downsize HHS' 80,000-person staff. The Trump administration, at the behest of Elon Musk and his government efficiency campaign, fired thousands of HHS workers last week. Bigtree said he didn't think Kennedy had provided input into those decisions but suggested there was still more to do. Bigtree, who founded a group that criticizes vaccines, the Informed Consent Action Network, endorsed Kennedy's comments Tuesday to HHS staff that nothing was off limits for review. Though Bigtree isn't part of the administration, he serves as a powerful leader of the MAHA movement. Its broad grassroots base put pressure on senators to confirm Kennedy, jamming Senate phone lines and filling confirmation hearings.
Politico
19-02-2025
- Health
- Politico
RFK Jr. should handpick vaccine scientists, former adviser says
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should recruit scientists who want to seek proof that vaccines cause autism, one of his past advisers said at a POLITICO event Wednesday. Del Bigtree, who was Kennedy's communications director during his presidential campaign and now leads a group promoting Kennedy's 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, dismissed widely replicated studies finding no link to autism because he alleged that they were conducted by scientists who wanted to find that result. 'Get scientists who say, 'I think I can prove vaccines do cause autism,'' he added. 'If they can't pull that off, now you have a true safety profile.' Bigtree's comments were part of a full-throated assault on regulatory agencies he painted as servants of 'Big Ag, Big Food and Big Pharma.' During POLITICO's First 100 Days: Health Care event, Bigtree said the regulatory system Kennedy now leads as secretary of Health and Human Services has long approved 'poisons' produced by industry for public consumption. He urged Kennedy to root out corporate influence at HHS. That would defy longstanding Republican deference to private business. Bigtree said federal agencies should not be funded by industries, suggesting Kennedy's advisers are pushing for major reforms to the current user fee system at the HHS agency that oversees food and drugs, the FDA. 'Finally we have someone at the head of HHS not owned by these corporations,' Bigtree said of Kennedy. 'I think he's looking for the right type of people.' During Kennedy's confirmation hearings, he refused to disavow his past statements drawing the autism link, telling senators he would not take away anyone's vaccines, but would pursue research and 'radical transparency' on vaccine science. Bigtree said Kennedy should review HHS employees' histories to see whether they worked for industry and also vet their views about the causes of chronic disease. Kennedy has said he believes unhealthy food and chemicals in the environment are responsible for increases in such conditions. 'Robert Kennedy Jr. has to sit down with the team and bring people and say, 'What have you done over the last four years,'' he said. 'If they're not producing real results and good science, maybe there's a better job for them somewhere else.' Hiring scientists more skeptical of industry and of existing vaccine science would help restore the public's flagging trust in the government's health care bureaucracy, Bigtree said, adding that he thought Kennedy could safely downsize HHS' 80,000-person staff. The Trump administration, at the behest of Elon Musk and his government efficiency campaign, fired thousands of HHS workers last week. Bigtree said he didn't think Kennedy had provided input into those decisions but suggested there was still more to do. Bigtree, who founded a group that criticizes vaccines, the Informed Consent Action Network, endorsed Kennedy's comments Tuesday to HHS staff that nothing was off limits for review. Though Bigtree isn't part of the administration, he serves as a powerful leader of the MAHA movement. Its broad grassroots base put pressure on senators to confirm Kennedy, jamming Senate phone lines and filling confirmation hearings.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr's new role with President Donald Trump prompts launch of online platform
Following the swearing in of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., MAHA Alliance and MAHA Action CEO Del Bigtree held a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., last week. Bigtree announced the launch of which will stand independent of Kennedy's official position and give Americans a site to access all things MAHA. " will be more than a platform — it will be the hub of the MAHA movement, transforming America's healthcare narrative from treating disease to promoting wellness, empowering individuals to chart a new health journey," a MAHA spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Everything To Know About Maha The grassroots movement has shifted toward amplifying Kennedy's initiatives under the Trump administration after rallying support around his vision for health and wellness reform. "At we deliver a transformative approach to health and wellness by reimagining every dimension of well-being; physical, mental, social, and environmental," the site says on its homepage. "Our unique value lies in seamlessly integrating innovative media, state-of-the-art technology, and holistic health solutions to empower individuals and communities." Read On The Fox News App MAHA advocated for policies such as improved access to holistic healthcare, vaccine transparency, in-depth examination of the food industry and reducing corporate influence on public health. Bigtree announced that the MAHA groups will continue to grow and magnify Kennedy's health vision for Americans. Sleep Specialist Backing Rfk Jr.'s Maha Movement Pushes To Change School Start Times In America The hub will create a network of a national directory of doctors "who prioritize lifestyle adjustments over prescription drugs," says the site. Health experts and influencers will be featured who touch on aspects of the MAHA agenda. The space will also create support communities of people both online and in-person who are "dedicated to self-improvement, healing and wellness." The MAHA movement will be narrowing in on legislation at both the state and national level. A database will be built that tracks legislation — indicating whether the proposed legislation is "anti-MAHA" or "MAHA approved." Healthy Recipes A Focus For Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Maha Supporter And Home Cook "You're going to be able to track your representatives on how well they're voting on major issues," said Bigtree. Bigree told Fox News Digital, "We're making America healthy again." He added that this "means nobody should be going it alone. We're going to build an online community to support our local community efforts, and is where we all come together for that common purpose." At the presser, Bigtree held up vaccine inserts, saying he hopes Kennedy brings back informed consent and that patients should be looking at the side effects and ingredients in vaccines. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "Robert Kennedy Jr. doesn't need to eradicate any vaccine from the program. He just needs to show you how long the safety trial was," Bigtree said. "He just needs to make [that] available to you and make sure the doctors give you true informed consent that these are known side effects, that we haven't done proper trials to know how long they would be," Bigtree added. In a recent exclusive interview on "The Ingraham Angle," Kennedy said there needs to be more disruptors in the health policy space. For more Health articles, visit "Not going to let the food industry and pharmaceutical industry run health policy anymore," said Kennedy. At the press conference in Washington, D.C., last week, Bigtree acknowledged that Kennedy is stepping into his new role. "The world just changed today," he article source: RFK Jr's new role with President Donald Trump prompts launch of online platform
Fox News
19-02-2025
- Health
- Fox News
RFK Jr's new role with President Donald Trump prompts launch of online platform
Following the swearing in of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., MAHA Alliance and MAHA Action CEO Del Bigtree held a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., last week. Bigtree announced the launch of which will stand independent of Kennedy's official position and give Americans a site to access all things MAHA. " will be more than a platform — it will be the hub of the MAHA movement, transforming America's healthcare narrative from treating disease to promoting wellness, empowering individuals to chart a new health journey," a MAHA spokesperson told Fox News Digital. The grassroots movement has shifted toward amplifying Kennedy's initiatives under the Trump administration after rallying support around his vision for health and wellness reform. "At we deliver a transformative approach to health and wellness by reimagining every dimension of well-being; physical, mental, social, and environmental," the site says on its homepage. "Our unique value lies in seamlessly integrating innovative media, state-of-the-art technology, and holistic health solutions to empower individuals and communities." MAHA advocated for policies such as improved access to holistic healthcare, vaccine transparency, in-depth examination of the food industry and reducing corporate influence on public health. Bigtree announced that the MAHA groups will continue to grow and magnify Kennedy's health vision for Americans. The hub will create a network of a national directory of doctors "who prioritize lifestyle adjustments over prescription drugs," says the site. Health experts and influencers will be featured who touch on aspects of the MAHA agenda. The space will also create support communities of people both online and in-person who are "dedicated to self-improvement, healing and wellness." The MAHA movement will be narrowing in on legislation at both the state and national level. A database will be built that tracks legislation — indicating whether the proposed legislation is "anti-MAHA" or "MAHA approved." "You're going to be able to track your representatives on how well they're voting on major issues," said Bigtree. Bigree told Fox News Digital, "We're making America healthy again." He added that this "means nobody should be going it alone. We're going to build an online community to support our local community efforts, and is where we all come together for that common purpose." At the presser, Bigtree held up vaccine inserts, saying he hopes Kennedy brings back informed consent and that patients should be looking at the side effects and ingredients in vaccines. "Robert Kennedy Jr. doesn't need to eradicate any vaccine from the program. He just needs to show you how long the safety trial was," Bigtree said. "He just needs to make [that] available to you and make sure the doctors give you true informed consent that these are known side effects, that we haven't done proper trials to know how long they would be," Bigtree added. "The world just changed today." In a recent exclusive interview on "The Ingraham Angle," Kennedy said there needs to be more disruptors in the health policy space. For more Health articles, visit "Not going to let the food industry and pharmaceutical industry run health policy anymore," said Kennedy. At the press conference in Washington, D.C., last week, Bigtree acknowledged that Kennedy is stepping into his new role. "The world just changed today," he said.
The Guardian
30-01-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
RFK Jr sought ‘Make America Healthy Again' trademark for vaccine marketing
Robert F Kennedy Jr, the anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist nominated for US health secretary by Donald Trump, recently applied to trademark his own 'Make America Healthy Again' slogan for use in marketing potential products including food supplements, vitamins, essential oils – and vaccines. Documentation filed with the Office of Government Ethics lists $100,000 earned from a 'licensing agreement to use Maha brand marks'. As reported by the Washington Post, on 10 December Kennedy transferred ownership of the trademark application to a company managed by Del Bigtree. Bigtree is a TV and film producer who was the communications director for Kennedy's 2024 presidential campaign. He is also the founder of Informed Consent Action Network, an anti-vaccine group which trumpets him as 'one of the preeminent voices of the vaccine risk awareness movement around the world'. According to the trademark application reported by the Post, dated 16 December, Bigtree's new company is called Maha Worldwide and has a mailing address in Sheridan, Wyoming. 'Maha' is a play on 'Maga', the acronym for Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slogan which has become a descriptor for the president's worldview. Earlier this month, as Trump celebrated his return to power, Bigtree hosted a 'Maha Inaugural Ball', 'a celebration of health, unity, and the movement led by Robert F Kennedy Jr', held at the DC Waldorf Astoria. Between 2015 and 2023, Kennedy led Children's Health Defense, a non-profit which campaigned against public health programs including vaccination provision. He was nominated for health secretary in mid-November and is now in the midst of a highly contentious confirmation process; on Wednesday, that process produced the spectacle of the widely known anti-vaccine campaigner and conspiracy theorist insisting to senators he was not opposed to vaccines. Denying accusations of spreading anti-vaccine misinformation in Samoa, which he visited in 2019, shortly before 83 people – mostly children – died there of measles, Kennedy said: 'You cannot find a single Samoan who will say, 'I didn't get a vaccine because of Bobby Kennedy.'' Kennedy also told senators he was not a conspiracy theorist, saying: 'That is a pejorative … that's applied to me mainly to keep me from asking difficult questions of powerful interests.' Attending the hearing, Bigtree told the Post he didn't know what he was going to use the Maha trademark for, but said: 'I have no intention to ever make a vaccine. That's not something I'm inspired to do.' Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion Bigtree also said he was looking at a possible venture in cryptocurrency – another possible product listed on the trademark application – but said he would 'not be out to sort of make a buck or somehow use people in any way'. Kennedy and his representatives did not comment about his trademark application and its transferral to Bigtree. Public health experts expressed alarm. Peter Lurie of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a former US Food and Drug Administration official, told the Post it was 'jarring' that 'on the one hand, questions are raised about the safety of vaccines, and on the other you turn around and monetize it'.
