Caroline Kennedy Calls Cousin RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Stance ...

2 hours ago

Forbes

Topline

U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy labeled her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s views on vaccinations as “dangerous,” in her farewell address as ambassador in Canberra on Monday, becoming the latest member of the influential political dynasty to criticize the man picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services by President-elect Donald Trump.

U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy addresses the crowd at the U.S. Exhibitors Opening ... [+] Ceremony in Avalon, Australia.

Getty Images Key Facts

The outgoing ambassador, who is the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, was asked about her cousin’s views on vaccination while speaking at the National Press Club in the Australian capital on Monday.

Kennedy said: “I think Bobby Kennedy’s views on vaccines are dangerous, but I don’t think that most Americans share them, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

She then added: “I grew up with him, so I’ve known all this for a long time; others are just getting to know him.”

The ambassador said her family is “united” in their support for improving the public health sector and infrastructure in America, but acknowledged that “Bobby Kennedy has got a different set of views.”

When asked about Tulsi Gabbard, another controversial Trump cabinet nominee who he has tapped to become the director of national intelligence, Kennedy said “there are thousands of people who work in our intelligence agencies and work closely with Australia…and that’s going to continue.”

Kennedy said Trump’s appointments have been “making waves and headlines,” but let’s just “calm down and wait and see what happens.”

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Crucial Quote

“Australia may be a middle power, but to the United States, you are number one. We have no more trusted or capable ally,” Kennedy said as she tried to assuage concerns about the impact of an incoming Trump presidency on Australia-U.S. relations.

News Peg

Last week, Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, who ran for both the Democratic nomination and as an independent presidential candidate, dropped out of the race months before the election and endorsed Trump. During his campaign, Trump promised to give Kennedy a prominent role in overseeing U.S. public health policy if he was elected—though it was previously unclear if Kennedy would take a Cabinet position. Kennedy has espoused several discredited conspiracy theories about vaccines, including saying they cause autism in children. He has also promoted unfounded conspiracies about 5G cellular networks causing cancer.