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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

HHS Advances Kennedy’s Old ‘Placebo’ Vaccine Safety Claims

HHS Advances Kennedy’s Old ‘Placebo’ Vaccine Safety Claims

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has misleadingly claimed that vaccines are not tested in placebo-controlled trials. Now, an HHS spokesperson has used similar language in a statement that falsely said there’s little available evidence on whether vaccines are safe.

Trump’s 100th Day Spin

Trump’s 100th Day Spin

To commemorate his first 100 days in office this term, President Donald Trump gave a speech in Michigan and granted interviews to several news outlets. In our review of his remarks, we found false and misleading claims, including quite a few Trump has made before.

RFK Jr. Misleads on Autism Prevalence, Causes

RFK Jr. Misleads on Autism Prevalence, Causes

In announcing new autism prevalence data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. distorted scientific research to argue that there is an “epidemic” of autism that must be due to an “environmental toxin.”

Hits and Misses in RFK Jr.’s Comments on Food Dyes

Hits and Misses in RFK Jr.’s Comments on Food Dyes

In recent weeks, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said that “very, very strong studies” link food dyes to cancer and ADHD. Experts are concerned about the impacts of unhealthy diets and obesity in the U.S., but some say Kennedy overstates the role of food dyes in chronic disease.

RFK Jr.’s Faulty Advice On Bird Flu 

RFK Jr.’s Faulty Advice On Bird Flu 

In recent news appearances, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has suggested allowing bird flu to spread in poultry flocks unchecked. Scientists say that’s risky because it gives the virus more opportunities to replicate, increasing the chance it could change to spread easily among humans.

Trump Embraces RFK Jr.’s Views on Vaccines, Fluoride

Trump Embraces RFK Jr.’s Views on Vaccines, Fluoride

In the waning days of his campaign, former President Donald Trump has further embraced some of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s incorrect or controversial views on health, including vaccines and fluoride.

Harris vs. Trump on Climate Change

Harris vs. Trump on Climate Change

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have starkly different track records on climate change. To shed light on the two candidates’ climate agendas, we sorted through their campaign materials and recent statements on the campaign trail.

FactChecking Harris’ and Trump’s Fox News Appearances

FactChecking Harris’ and Trump’s Fox News Appearances

Both presidential candidates appeared on Fox News on Oct. 16 — former President Donald Trump in a town hall with women voters in Georgia and Vice President Kamala Harris in an interview with Bret Baier. We fact-checked their remarks.

Baseless Claims Proliferate on Hurricanes and Weather Modification

Baseless Claims Proliferate on Hurricanes and Weather Modification

Experts say people cannot create or meaningfully alter hurricanes through existing weather modification techniques. That has not stopped a deluge of social media posts baselessly claiming or implying that Hurricanes Helene and Milton were intentionally created, steered or otherwise controlled by someone.

Harris’ Position on Health Care for Transgender Prisoners and Detainees

Harris’ Position on Health Care for Transgender Prisoners and Detainees

Q: Does Kamala Harris support government-paid gender-affirming surgery for prison inmates and immigrant detainees?

A: The government must provide medical care to prisoners and immigrant detainees. Vice President Kamala Harris expressed support in a 2019 questionnaire for “medically necessary” gender-affirming care, including surgical care, for federal prisoners and detainees. She has not detailed her position in the current campaign.