Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate confirmation hearing was anything but ordinary. Nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy faced fierce questioning over his past statements and positions. The Washington Post, in its coverage, painted him as a conspiracy theorist struggling to defend himself.
That is not surprising, considering the reports from the hearing room that media outlets had headlines before the questioning started:
Also-Republican Senator Thom Tillis (North Carolina) saw something different. He posted a clip of his questioning of Kennedy, noting: “There’s a reason Democrats have been repeatedly cutting him off so he cannot give full answers.”
A “Conspiracy Theorist” or Just Ahead of His Time?
During the hearing, Kennedy pushed back hard against the “conspiracy theorist” label. He pointed out that many of the positions that once got him branded as such have since been validated.
“That label is applied to me to keep me from asking difficult questions,” Kennedy said.
He reminded the Senate that he was ridiculed for questioning the COVID-19 vaccines when the government insisted they prevented transmission. Now, it’s widely acknowledged that they didn’t.
“I was called a conspiracy theorist for saying red dye causes cancer. Now the FDA has banned it,” he added.
“I was called a conspiracy theorist for saying fluoride lowers IQ. Last week, a meta-analysis of 87 studies confirmed a direct inverse correlation between fluoride exposure and IQ.”
Washington Post’s Coverage: The Opponent’s Playbook
The Washington Post framed Kennedy as a controversial figure struggling to defend his claims. Their piece repeatedly called his statements “false” and “misleading,” especially regarding vaccines.
They highlighted past remarks where Kennedy speculated about COVID-19’s potential impact on different ethnic groups, pesticides’ effects on gender identity, and Lyme disease as a possible bioweapon. While Kennedy clarified or denied some claims, the Post was quick to suggest he was backpedaling.
The Post also underscored his “stumbles” on Medicaid, saying he incorrectly described its funding and premiums, suggesting he lacked policy knowledge.
Republicans Rally, Democrats Fear Him
Despite Democrat attacks, Republican senators largely refrained from pressing Kennedy too hard. Many saw his nomination as a chance to challenge the public health establishment.
Tillis’ endorsement stood out, as he dismissed the notion that Kennedy was a conspiracy theorist. His post, along with Kennedy’s Fox News repost, fueled conservative momentum behind his nomination.
Senator John Barrasso (Wyoming), a medical doctor, gave Kennedy a chance to present his vision: “Make America Healthy Again.”
Even Senator Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), another medical professional, questioned Kennedy in detail but didn’t outright reject him.
Democrat Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) summed up the left’s real concern: “Frankly, you frighten people.”
What’s Next?
Kennedy’s nomination will likely come down to Republican votes. Despite being a former Democrat, his positions on vaccine policy and public health skepticism align more with conservative distrust of government overreach.
His performance at the hearing, combined with Republican backing, suggests he might survive the confirmation process. But the Washington Post and others will continue their assault, making him a lightning rod for both parties.
One thing is clear—Kennedy isn’t backing down. And with GOP support building, neither is his nomination.