During the Senate confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated by President Donald Trump for Secretary of Health and Human Services, a heated exchange occurred between Kennedy and Senator Bernie Sanders. The confrontation centered on allegations of financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Key Points of the Exchange:
- Kennedy’s Accusation: Kennedy accused Senator Sanders of receiving substantial contributions from pharmaceutical companies during his 2020 presidential campaign, stating, “In 2020, you were the single largest receiver of pharmaceutical money.”
- Sanders’ Response: Senator Sanders refuted the claim, asserting that his campaign did not accept corporate PAC money and that contributions from individuals employed in the pharmaceutical sector were from workers, not executives. He emphasized, “I ran for president, like you. I got millions and millions of contributions. They did not come from the executives; not one nickel of PAC money from the pharmaceutical industry. They came from workers.”
This exchange highlighted the tensions surrounding Kennedy’s nomination, particularly given his controversial views on vaccines and the pharmaceutical industry. The hearing underscored the broader debate over the influence of pharmaceutical funding in politics and the implications for public health policy.
RFK Jr. calls out Bernie Sanders for receiving funding from Big Pharma.
— Joey Salads (@JoeySalads) January 30, 2025