RFK Jr. Teases New Podcast As People Question If He’s Already Planning His Exit

Share
LinkedInPin
Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

What to Know

01 RFK Jr. has announced that he's launching a podcast.
02 He claims that the podcast is about "transparency" and exposing "lies."
03 Critics are upset that he's podcasting instead of doing "actual work."

Of all the things that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could be doing with his time, he’s… launching a podcast? In a teaser for his new podcast, RFK Jr. says it’s about “radical transparency” and exposing “lies.” Anyone can start a podcast, really. But given that RFK Jr. is a government official, many critics are naturally questioning why he’s prioritizing becoming a “podcast bro” instead of doing “actual work.”

Some people suspect that the new podcast could be an attempt to improve his reputation after widespread criticism and calls for his resignation. However, it could also be a way for him to amplify his controversial opinions and medical misinformation, even though he claims his podcast will not be political. A few people have also questioned whether the podcast launch means he’s already planning his exit from the Trump administration.

RFK Jr. has told people to be wary of the government and “experts.”

Of course, at this point, RFK Jr. is part of the government. Yet, on multiple occasions, the Health and Human Services secretary has said that the government should not be trusted (very reassuring). Back in February, he said, “We were told by the last administration to trust the experts. That’s not a thing. It’s not a thing.”

He added, “My dad told me when I was a kid, ‘People in authority lie, and the government lies all the time.’ And it lied to us about the dietary guidelines for 50 years. It lies about everything.” Great!

Based on the teaser he shared, his podcast has a very similar vibe. However, he has said that he’ll be talking to experts (or “critical thinkers,” as he called them), but it’s unclear who these “experts” will be.

He also said that the point of this is to “expose the hypocrisy, and the conflicts, and the corruption.”

But not in a political way? In the teaser he shared on social media, he said, “For decades now, Americans have been told that we should trust the system, but our children are sicker, chronic disease is exploding, and the answers that we’ve been given aren’t working.”

RFK Jr., who has been known to spread misinformation about vaccines, continued, “Many of us have come to the conclusion that government actually lies to us.” He, once again, seemed to momentarily forget that he’s part of the government. He then went on to introduce himself and even used his job title.

“This podcast is about telling the truth, especially when it’s uncomfortable,” he added. “I’m going to have fearless conversations with critical thinkers, including independent doctors, respected scientists, and leaders in medical innovation and research.”

What will these “fearless conversations” entail, exactly? According to Kennedy, he will “ask the questions and lift the taboos and expose the hypocrisy and the conflicts and the corruption.” At the very least, the podcast sounds very on-brand for him.

He claimed that this is a “new era” that isn’t about politics.

According to him, it’s about “our families” and “the truth.” He said, “If we want a healthy nation, we have to confront the lies that have made us spiritually, morally, and physically sick. The time for half measures is now over. We’re launching a new era of radical transparency in government here at HHS.”

By the sounds of it, he thinks this podcast will make a huge difference. Critics aren’t so convinced. While some people in the comments on X seemed excited for this, others told RFK Jr. that they’re not interested in hearing him talk. “We don’t want you to talk about stuff,” one critic wrote. “All your talking led to this moment of you at HHS. Do something, or step down and podcast like Bongino.”

“Anything but actual work,” another critic commented. “Amiright?” Others accused him of launching a podcast to spread “propaganda” and mocked him for saying that the government lies to people. “‘The government is lying to you.’ -the government,” someone else wrote.

And amid the calls for him to resign, a few people also questioned whether RFK Jr. is already planning his “exit strategy.” Someone questioned, “So you’re on the chopping block and you’re setting up your next income source?” Oof.

READ NEXT: Cheryl Hines Says Her Husband RFK Jr. Doesn’t Want To ‘Hurt People’

Paige Sheffield (she/her)