--- title: "RFK Jr. addresses anti-vaccine group, touts Trump administration actions" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/rfk-jr-addresses-anti-vaccine-group-touts-trump-administration-actions" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/rfk-jr-addresses-anti-vaccine-group-touts-trump-administration-actions" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/rfk-jr-addresses-anti-vaccine-group-touts-trump-administration-actions.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/rfk-jr-addresses-anti-vaccine-group-touts-trump-administration-actions" category: "Health" published: "2026-09-17T21:45:56.930Z" source_reported: "2026-09-17T21:06:23.708Z" updated: "2026-09-17T21:45:56.930Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 61 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-17T22:12:42.405Z" --- # RFK Jr. addresses anti-vaccine group, touts Trump administration actions *Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke at a conference for Children's Health Defense, an organization he once chaired.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named body, but relies on anonymous sourcing for some details. - Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Quotes affected parties, names specific details, and states what happens next. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises more than the body delivers, with mild sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke Thursday at a conference held by the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense. - Kennedy told attendees they had a friend in President Donald Trump's White House and highlighted administration actions to scale back vaccine guidance. - Pennsylvania has reported four measles-associated deaths this year, with none of the individuals vaccinated, according to state officials. - Andrew Wakefield, whose study linking MMR vaccine to autism was later discredited, also spoke at the event. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered the keynote address on Thursday at a conference hosted by the anti-vaccine activist group Children's Health Defense. Kennedy, who previously chaired the organization, told the attendees that they had a friend in President Donald Trump's White House. This was Kennedy's first appearance at a Children's Health Defense conference since becoming health secretary. During his speech, Kennedy highlighted actions taken by the Trump administration to reduce vaccine guidance and reshape a key vaccine advisory board. He stated, "We’ve accomplished in 19 months things that would have seemed unthinkable two years ago." The speech also touched on vaccine safety questions. Critics, including medical associations, have expressed concern that such actions could increase vaccine hesitancy and public confusion. ## Disagreement on vaccine deaths Pennsylvania officials have reported four measles-associated deaths this year, and none of the individuals were vaccinated, according to the state health department. The Associated Press reported that the country is facing its worst year for measles since 1991, with seven reported deaths in the last two years. However, the digest from Medical Daily noted that Kennedy's return to the group comes as measles cases rise, without specifying the number of deaths. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the specific number of measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania officials this year. None of the centre-rated digests mention the specific number of measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania officials this year. The right-rated digest does not mention the specific number of measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania officials this year. ## Who covered it Shares of the 28 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 46% (13) - Centre: 43% (12) - Right: 11% (3) 1 of 29 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-17T22:12:42.405Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-17T22:00:14.737Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Ten left-rated reports led on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressing the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense and stating they had a friend in the Trump White House. Several reports noted Kennedy's past chairmanship of the organization and his return to public association with it after a period of distancing. The Associated Press digest, carried by multiple left-rated outlets, detailed Kennedy's remarks about scaling back vaccine guidance and reshaping advisory boards. The digests also mentioned the presence of Andrew Wakefield, author of a discredited study linking vaccines to autism, who followed Kennedy onstage. Some reports highlighted criticism of Kennedy's appearance from Pennsylvania officials, such as Governor Josh Shapiro, who stated Kennedy should have encouraged vaccination instead of promoting fear and mistrust. ### Centre - Eight centre-rated reports focused on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s keynote address at the Children's Health Defense conference, emphasizing his statement that attendees had a friend in the Trump White House. These reports noted Kennedy's prior role as chairman of the group and his remarks about the administration's efforts to reduce vaccine guidance and reform a vaccine advisory board. The digests also mentioned the appearance of Andrew Wakefield. The reports from WBAL, which included a full report, detailed criticism from Pennsylvania officials and medical groups regarding Kennedy's speech and its potential to increase vaccine hesitancy. WBAL also reported on the number of measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania and stated that none of the victims were vaccinated. ### Right - The single right-rated report led on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. telling anti-vaccine activists they had a friend in President Donald Trump's White House. The digest stated that Kennedy gave the keynote address at a conference for the group he once chaired. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - mixed: 3 - high: 12 - unknown: 2 - veryHigh: 11 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/17/robert-f-kennedy-jr-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-friend-donald-trumps) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [Daily Kos](https://dailykos.com/stories/2026/9/17/800099656/videos/rfk-jr-is-more-concerned-with-vaccine-injuries-than-measles-deaths) — RFK Jr. is more concerned with ‘vaccine injuries’ than measles deaths - [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/09/sec-brain-worms-tells-anti-vax-convention-you-have-a-friend-in-the-wh-also-were-looking-at-chemtrails) — Sec. Brain Worms Tells Anti-Vax Convention: “You Have A Friend In The WH, Also We’re Looking At Chemtrails” - [The Globe & Mail](https://theglobeandmail.com/world/article-robert-f-kennedy-rfk-anti-vaccine-trump) — Kennedy addresses anti-vaccine conference, says they have friend in Trump’s White House - [cedarnews.net](https://cedarnews.net/newstasks/992257/rfk-jr-promises-anti-vaxxers-friend-white) — RFK Jr promises anti-vaxxers a ‘friend at the White House’ amid deadly measles outbreak - [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/09/17/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house) — Kennedy Tells Anti-vaccine Activists They Have A Friend In Trump’s White House - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/09/17/kennedy-vaccine-conference) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump’s White House - [STAT](https://statnews.com/2026/09/17/rfk-jr-anti-vaccination-activism-childrens-health-defense-conference) — Kennedy renews attacks on vaccines at Children’s Health Defense conference - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump' - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump’s White House - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/2026/09/17/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [City News](https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/09/17/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [WellandTribune.ca](https://wellandtribune.ca/life/health-wellness/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trump-s-white-house/article_943d99d4-7967-57ea-9a67-b7c4247f3dfa.html) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-health-and-human-services-white-house-americans-washington-b3052160.html) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-maha-health-policy-healthcare-88fe8ffee685d48f8256c9596d7ba0fa) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Health/wireStory/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-friend-trumps-white-136540624) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [Rutland Herald](https://rutlandherald.com/ap/washington/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house/article_a579ea8c-595d-5975-af1a-ef6ad0c7be05.html) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [KXL](https://kxl.com/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [Daily News-Record](https://dnronline.com/associated_press/national/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house/article_eca163de-c76b-5e0d-984a-baa8a3ec82ff.html) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump’s White House - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/world/americas/donald-trump-health-and-human-services-white-house-americans-washington-b3052160.html) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [Mid Florida Newspapers](https://midfloridanewspapers.com/ap/kennedy-tells-anti-vaccine-activists-they-have-a-friend-in-trumps-white-house/article_f7dffdc1-c8ec-506d-8d7c-1ec137c39bf9.html) — Kennedy tells anti-vaccine activists they have a friend in Trump's White House - [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/rfk-jr-podium-lamp) — RFK Jr.'s keynote thoroughly derailed by 'disobedient' desk lamp: 'I need some help' - [washingtonsun.com](https://washingtonsun.com/health-science/rfk-jr-childrens-health-defense-conference-vaccines-chemtrails) — RFK Jr. Headlines Anti-Vaccine Group’s Conference, Discusses Chemtrails - [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/epochtv/live-now-rfk-jr-delivers-remarks-at-a-childrens-health-defense-conference-6088806) — RFK Jr. Delivers Remarks at a Children’s Health Defense Conference - [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/09/17/rfk-jr-to-give-speech-to-anti-vaccine-group-he-founded) — RFK Jr. to Give Speech to Anti-Vaccine Group He Founded - [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/health/2026/09/17/rfk-jr-give-keynote-speech-conference-anti-vaccine-group-he-founded) — RFK Jr. to give keynote speech at conference for anti-vaccine group he founded - [NBC News](https://nbcnews.com/health/health-news/kennedy-speech-anti-vaccine-group-founded-rcna597975) — Kennedy to give speech to anti-vaccine group he founded after distancing himself for years - [Medical Daily](https://medicaldaily.com/kennedy-childrens-health-defense-keynote-conference-478731) — Kennedy Set to Keynote Children's Health Defense Conference Thursday, Returning to the Anti-Vaccine Group He Once Led ## Questions **What did Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. say at the Children's Health Defense conference?** Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told attendees they had a friend in President Donald Trump's White House. He also highlighted actions taken by the Trump administration to scale back vaccine guidance and reshape a key vaccine advisory board. **What is Children's Health Defense?** Children's Health Defense is an anti-vaccine activist group that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. formerly chaired. He spoke at their conference, marking his first appearance since becoming health secretary. **What is the current situation with measles in Pennsylvania?** Pennsylvania officials have reported four measles-associated deaths this year. According to state health department information, none of the individuals who died had been vaccinated. **Who else spoke at the conference besides Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?** Andrew Wakefield, who authored a study that linked the MMR vaccine to autism but was later discredited, also followed Kennedy onstage at the conference. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/rfk-jr-addresses-anti-vaccine-group-touts-trump-administration-actions. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "RFK Jr. addresses anti-vaccine group, touts Trump administration actions", https://mediabias.news/health/rfk-jr-addresses-anti-vaccine-group-touts-trump-administration-actions