Misrepresentation of the actual income made from his anti-vaccination advocacy has put Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the spotlight as announced by Donald Trump’s transition team. Despite asserting that his role as the founder and chairman of the Children’s Health Defense was not for profit, it has come to light otherwise. Financial declarations mandatory for all presidential candidates revealed that Kennedy initially claimed to have earned a total of $731,470.53 during the years 2022 and 2023. It is worth noting that RFK Jr. is Trump’s incumbent choice for the head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The discovery of new documents tells a different story regarding his earnings, leading to a recent disclosure of his previously unreported income. Post his nomination for the Health Secretary position, Kennedy quietly updated his income records. It seems he had accumulated substantial income from his anti-vaccine organization over these years, amounting to about $1.2 million in total or perhaps even more.
An official from Trump’s transition team shed some light on the confusion describing Kennedy’s initially reported income as erroneous. The disclosure forms now bring to light that Kennedy had actually been profiting significantly from his role in the non-profit organization. As per the federal tax returns of Kennedy’s organization, from 2017 to 2023, Kennedy had a total income of $2.2 million.
Upon auditing Kennedy’s income during the presidential race in 2024, significant discrepancies were noted. Initially contesting as a Democrat and subsequently as an independent, Kennedy did not accurately report the income earned in the final two years of his tenure with the group. It appears he had neglected to report a considerable amount of $431,156.72.
Kennedy attributed this discrepancy to an ‘inadvertent error’; he seemingly mixed up ‘net pay’ with ‘gross wages.’ A rather surprising goof-up for someone of his financial status who could easily employ professional accountants. He admitted this inaccuracy in an official communication addressing the U.S. Office of Government Ethics on December 11, 2024.
As per his own admission, ‘In my initial, and amended, disclosure, I disclosed the incorrect income amount for Children’s Health Defense f/k/a World Mercury Project by using net pay received vs gross wages.’ His aim was to rectify a mistake that had occurred in his financial disclosures signed and submitted on June 30 and August 25, 2023, respectively.
In updated records submitted recently, Kennedy reported his actual earnings for the years 2022 and 2023. He earned $836,571.25 in 2022 and another $326,056.00 in 2023. Together, his reported income from chairing the nonprofit (previously named as the World Mercury Project) sums up to $1,165,627.25 for the last two years of his service.
Kennedy’s total reported income has increased significantly after these corrections were made. His earnings encompassed consultations, legal work, and public speaking. The updated income, when factored in all the sources, comes out to be around the figure of $8.3 million.
Corrections to Kennedy’s income statements were made just as Donald Trump publicized his choice of Kennedy as the next HHS Secretary, adding a controversial twist to the situation. As per the documents filed with the Office of Government Ethics, Kennedy had to update his earnings from the nonprofit multiple times.
Despite the skepticism attached to his views on vaccination, Kennedy has used his nonprofit platform to voice concerns about perceived links between children’s chronic disorders, autism, and vaccines. However, official confirmation hearings for Kennedy’s Cabinet position have yet to be firmly scheduled.
The delay in firming up Kennedy’s confirmation hearings seems to revolve around significant resistance arising from key senators. One such vocal critic includes Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a qualified physician who also chairs the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Kennedy’s controversial stance has not only attracted criticism but driven concerned scientists and public health professionals to take action. A letter indicating their opposition to Kennedy’s proposal began circulating during the week. They believe that his lack of administrative experience in health policy and his promotion of conspiracy theories are detrimental to his potential role at the helm of HHS.
Their concerns are primarily centered around Kennedy’s disruptive impact on public health protocols. They fear that Kennedy’s unproven and marginalized beliefs ‘could significantly undermine public health practices across the country and around the world.’ The experts expressed their concerns with clear warning about the potential dangers of disregarding science-based evidence in public health management.