NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Gleammour AquaFresh
NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Home Local News RFK Jr. Steps Down from Anti-Vaccine Organization to Pursue National Health leadership Role

RFK Jr. Steps Down from Anti-Vaccine Organization to Pursue National Health leadership Role

RFK Jr. says he's resigned from anti-vaccine nonprofit as he seeks nation's top health official job
Up next
California's working class overlooked amid wildfires, US rep says
Determining if You Have Adequate Insurance Coverage for Disaster Preparation
Published on 23 January 2025
Author
NewsFinale Journal
Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp


WASHINGTON – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is distancing himself from his anti-vaccine work as he seeks to become the leader of the nation’s top health agency under President Donald Trump, according to government ethics documents released Wednesday.

Kennedy has pulled in roughly $10 million in income from his work over the past year, which includes speaking fees, leading an anti-vaccine nonprofit and legal fees, government ethics forms filed for his nomination show. He has millions of dollars more tied up in investments and other assets.

He has promised to stop collecting payments on some of his vaccine lawsuits involving the U.S. government.

Kennedy is a lawyer who has worked on lawsuits involving environmental and vaccine injury claims against some of the country’s biggest companies. He promised to forgo payment from claims against the U.S. under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation program.

As of December, Kennedy is no longer serving as chairman or chief legal counsel for Children’s Health Defense, his nonprofit that launched lawsuits against the federal government over vaccines, including the authorization of the COVID-19 shot in children. He previously made a $326,000 salary for three months of work at the nonprofit in 2023.

But he will still benefit in other ways from his anti-vaccine advocacy, which has spanned several years. Compensation will continue to flow into Kennedy’s bank accounts from referral fees for legal cases that don’t involve the U.S. government, including fees from a law firm that’s sued Merck over Gardasil, its human papillomavirus vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. Last year, he made over $850,000 from the arrangement.

He will also still collect royalties from books he’s written, some of which have spread falsehoods about vaccine safety and other health issues. Kennedy said he expects at least $2 million in advances for two forthcoming books, though he said he would not promote or do further work on those titles if confirmed.

Despite his criticism of the pharmaceutical industry, Kennedy also holds investments in biotech industries, which he would regulate if confirmed to lead the Health and Human Services Department. Kennedy says he plans to divest as much as $50,000 with Dragonfly Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company that develops cancer drugs, as well as up to $15,000 he has in CRISPR Therapeutics, a gene-editing technology.

A Senate finance committee hearing for Kennedy is scheduled for later this month. The lawyer-turned-politician was seen around Washington in recent days, joining in on festivities for Trump’s inauguration.

He even hosted his own “Make America Healthy Again” ball on the day Trump was sworn in. “MAHA” has become a popular slogan among Trump and Kennedy loyalists alike.

And that’s another thing Kennedy reports he’s profited from in his ethics filing — MAHA merchandise, which has made him $100,000.

—

Michelle R. Smith in Providence, R.I. contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp
You May Also Like
AP Poll: Illinois falls out of Top 25
  • Local News

AP Poll: Illinois falls out of Top 25

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — For the first time in the 2025 season,…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 12, 2025
What to know as Israel and Gaza await the release of hostages, prisoners, aid — and Trump's visit
  • Local News

What to know as Israel and Gaza await the release of hostages, prisoners, aid — and Trump's visit

(AP) — Anticipation built across Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
49ers face the Buccaneers in a matchup of 4-1 teams playing well despite injuries
  • Local News

49ers face the Buccaneers in a matchup of 4-1 teams playing well despite injuries

Related video: Voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shares his favorite game…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 12, 2025
Unity Weekend headed back to Aiken
  • Local News

Unity Weekend headed back to Aiken

AIKEN, S.C. () — Unity Weekend, the largest celebration of faith and…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
From fun to chaos, mass shooting erupts outside of St. Helena Island bar
  • Local News

From fun to chaos, mass shooting erupts outside of St. Helena Island bar

ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. () — It started as a local high…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation donating $50 million to historically Black Atlanta colleges
  • Local News

Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation donating $50 million to historically Black Atlanta colleges

ATLANTA – The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced a $50 million…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
Madagascar president to make a speech after soldiers turned against the government in apparent coup
  • Local News

Madagascar president to make a speech after soldiers turned against the government in apparent coup

ANTANANARIVO – Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina was due to make a speech…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
Family talks after man arrested in crash that killed beloved Ocala radio hosts
  • Local News

Family talks after man arrested in crash that killed beloved Ocala radio hosts

OCALA, Fla. – A man is behind bars after being arrested and…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
Florida gas prices drop to 2-month low, survey says
  • Local News

Gas prices drop 12 cents in Florida amid global supply surplus, AAA says

ORLANDO, Fla. – Gas prices in Florida declined 12 cents last week,…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
Trump use of funds to pay troops 'probably not' legal, says Democrat
  • US

Trump use of funds to pay troops 'probably not' legal, says Democrat

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said Sunday it is “probably not” legal for…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
Man shot friend after playing 'Russian roulette': Prosecutor
  • Crime

Man shot friend after playing ‘Russian roulette’: Prosecutor

Share copy link Background: News footage of Omarion Horne at his arraignment…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
Trump's extraordinary afterlife confession as he considers his legacy after brokering historic peace deal
  • News

Trump’s extraordinary afterlife confession as he considers his legacy after brokering historic peace deal

President Donald Trump made a startling confession about his afterlife, admitting he…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • October 13, 2025
NewsFinale Journal
  • Home
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Advertise Here
  • Donate