Trump Team Co-Chair Questions Vaccines on CNN: ‘They’re Not Proven’

Donald Trump’s transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick questioned the safety of vaccines during a call with CNNKaitlan Collins on Wednesday night.

“Vaccines are safe” Collins saidwhile we’re talking about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.He said the former president “promised” him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture if Trump won the 2024 election.

“What makes you think vaccines are safe,” Lutnick shot back, adding, “There’s no more product liability.” Collins responded, “Because they’re proven… kids get them and they’re okay,” prompting Lutnick to ask, “What makes you think they’re okay?”

According to CNNKennedy said during a live broadcast on Monday that Trump “promised me – this is control of public health agencies, that is, HHS and its divisions, CDC, FDANIH and several others, as well as the USDA, which, as you know, is the key to a healthy America.”

Lutnick also stated that both he and Collins “know a lot more people” with autism now compared to when they were younger. Collins quickly stated that “vaccines don’t cause autism,” pointing out that Kennedy is also promoting these lies, “which is why people are worried about him getting a job like HHS.”

Kennedy, who suspended his independent presidential campaign in August before endorsing Trump, is the founder of Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine nonprofit. campaigned against immunization and other public health measures such as the use of fluoride in public water supplies.

The Trump campaign has not confirmed Kennedy’s claim that he has been promised a role in the former president’s potential administration. But at a rally in New York on Sunday, Trump said he would let Kennedy “go crazy on medication” if he wins next week.

“Robert F. Kennedy cares more about people, health and the environment,” Trump said in part. “It’s such an honor to have him… I’ll let him go crazy on health, I’ll let him go crazy on medicine.”

Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign by email late Wednesday for comment.

Health experts have expressed concern about the fallout Kennedy could have if given a seat under the Trump administration. During the American Public Health Association conference on Monday, Trump’s former surgeon general, Dr. Jerome Adams, said he was concerned about how Kennedy’s influence on Trump’s potential second term could affect the “health of the nation.”

“If RFK has a significant impact on the next administration, it could further undermine people’s desire to stay informed about recommended vaccines, and I am concerned about the impact that this could have on the health of our country, on our national economy, on our global situation. security,” Adams said at an event in Minneapolis, according to the report. Sheryl Stolberg from New York Times.

Update 10/30/24 11:10 PM ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.