Michael Scherer

Michael Scherer, a staff writer for The Atlantic, dives into the complexities of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s life and his evolving role as Health and Human Services Secretary. He discusses Kennedy's early trauma, his fight against addiction, and how these experiences have shaped his controversial approaches to public health. Scherer also explores Kennedy's shift in political alliances, his scrutiny of vaccination policies, and the implications of his focus on parental autonomy in health decisions. The conversation reveals the layers behind Kennedy's convictions and their impact on public discourse.

In this insightful discussion, guests break down the complex role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in shaping American health policy. Michael Scherer reveals Kennedy's evolution and his significant political value to Trump. Dan Diamond highlights the shared vaccine skepticism between the two, while Julie Rovner examines the troubling impacts of staff cuts at HHS and the CDC’s leadership struggles. The conversation also touches on the political pressures faced by the FDA and the long-term ramifications of the pandemic on public trust in health experts.

Michael Scherer, a political journalist for The Atlantic, dives deep into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial beliefs about health policies. He explores Kennedy's firm stance against the scientific consensus, questioning how he justifies his views. Scherer also discusses Kennedy's proposed studies linking vaccines to autism, concerns from figures like Tatiana Schlossberg, and Kennedy's fraught relationships with policymakers. Listeners gain insight into Kennedy's approach to scientific dissent and the broader implications for public health.