U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick standing by his side, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 19, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
President Donald Trump admitted Friday afternoon he doesn't see eye to his with his own handpicked Health Secretary, but insisted he wanted someone with "opposite views."
The admission came as reporters peppered the president with questions at the White House, including one about Robert F. Kennedy's Department of Health and Human Services.
"Secretary Kennedy's panel on vaccines changed its broad recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines today. Are you comfortable with that change, or would you like to see Americans take vaccines that were developed under your tenure?" a reporter asked.
Trump took a moment to gush about his Operation Warp Speed, which was launched during the pandemic to expedite a vaccine that would save countless lives from the brutal coronavirus.
Calling it one of the "greatest things that any president has ever done in this country," Trump insisted he's "very proud of it."
"I had the vaccine. Here I am, right?" he said.
Reporters pressed him on his stance and Kennedy's efforts to undermine confidence in vaccines.
"Bobby Kennedy seems to be undoing what you did with Operation Warp Speed," a reporter began.
Trump interjected.
"I put him in there because I want to have opposite views. That's ok," he said.
Trump then teased a "big" announcement is coming "soon" on autism, as soon as next week.
"It's out of control, autism. Out of control. And I think we maybe have the reason why," he added.
When pressed again on Kennedy's efforts, Trump repeated that Operation Warp Speed was one of the greatest achievements in American history — "and you can say the world."