The Republican War on Science opened a new front yesterday. Donald Trump is now saying that if elected he will let Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “go wild on health.” For a scientist like me, having RFK Jr. in charge of public health is terrifying.
Let me be specific about what I mean by a Republican War on Science. The two best examples are 1) a denial of climate change, and 2) support for the anti-vaccine movement. Kennedy — one of the disinformation dozen — is a notorious anti-vaxer. Over 200,000 Americans died from Covid vaccine denial. Vaccines do not cause autism. If RFK Jr. controls the public health agencies, children will die.
I’ve never sided with Republicans politically, but at least they used to be a party of intelligent people. A party that supported and trusted science. What they have evolved into now is a party of know-nothings. They are a party of Anti-Science. It is time for voters to decide if they side with science or pseudoscience.