Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked fresh backlash after his staff tried to wave off a reporter's pointed question.
The moment came Thursday, when Kennedy was speaking alongside Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), who is running for reelection. A staffer cut in as a reporter began asking Kennedy about five deaths, and potentially a sixth, from measles in Pennsylvania.
"We're also not going to talk about measles," the staffer said, having already brushed aside a question about whether "the war" had affected Kiggans' campaign.
The reporter didn't back down. "He's the highest-ranking health official in the country," the reporter shot back. "He can answer that question. He's a Cabinet secretary."
Kennedy then answered, pinning the outbreak on the number of people who "went unvaccinated during the COVID pandemic" and claiming it was "something that Anthony Fauci, in fact, predicted."
The clip, which was shared by MeidasTouch digital editor Acyn Torabi, drew a wave of criticism online.
"No one has done more to cast doubt about the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine than RFK Jr.," argued Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist at George Washington University and CNN medical analyst. "Blaming Tony Fauci is laughable."
The progressive news network MeidasTouch was similarly incredulous. "RFK Jr. is blaming fewer vaccinations on...Dr. Fauci?!" the outlet scoffed.
Sarah Despres, a former federal health official, questioned the staff's move. "Why would @SecKennedy's staff say the HHS sec won't talk about measles?" she asked. "Also it's typical of @SecKennedy to refuse to accept any responsibility for bad things happening under his watch. It's something but it's sure not leadership."
The campaign of former Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA), who is running against Kiggans, also took a shot. "@JenKiggans had to know this wasn't going to go well, right?" the campaign quipped.
Others praised the reporter's persistence. "Good on the reporter here for steamrolling past that staffer for trying to move on from the measles question," remarked media reporter Justin Baragona.