Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is launching a podcast to tell the truth and engage in difficult conversations about what is making Americans chronically ill.
“For decades now, Americans have been told that we should trust the system. But our children are sicker, chronic disease is exploding, and the answers that we’ve been given aren’t working. Many of us have come to the conclusion that government actually lies to us,” RFK Jr. said.
“This podcast is about telling the truth, especially when it’s uncomfortable. I’m going to have fearless conversations with critical thinkers, including independent doctors, respected scientists, and leaders in medical innovation and research,” he continued.
“I’m going to ask the questions and lift the taboos, and expose the hypocrisy, and the conflicts, and the corruption,” he added.
Joining the Trump administration last year gave Kennedy a new platform for his views, some of which contradict the overwhelming consensus of scientists. A podcast could further elevate those ideas. Administration officials say it will help spread an important message about chronic disease and improving health to a wider audience.
“This is part of our larger strategy to bring the Make America Healthy Again message to as wide an audience as we can,” said Liam Nahill, HHS digital director.
The new communication effort from HHS comes as the department has faced a bevy of recent setbacks, including widespread criticism of its vaccine policy changes, a federal ruling last month blocking several of those moves, and resistance from key Republican senators that has kept President Donald Trump’s surgeon general pick from taking office. In that way, it could be seen as part of a broader rebranding strategy as the agency redirects away from vaccine efforts and toward a less contentious agenda on healthy food ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The health secretary’s upcoming podcast is believed to be the first-ever hosted by a sitting cabinet member.
“We’re kind of bringing podcasting into the government as an official form and arm of our messaging,” said HHS digital communications manager Tyler Burger.
Given that podcasts are now commonly produced in both audio and video formats, they are frequently clipped and shared across social media platforms, granting them “massive” reach. Melina Much, a postdoctoral fellow at New York University’s Center for Social Media and Politics, highlighted that podcasts tend to be more intimate, conversational, and informal than traditional interviews, enabling administration officials to promote their messages with potentially less scrutiny.
While Kennedy’s teaser emphasizes uncovering falsehoods, HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon stated that the podcast will aim to address affordability and other issues that polls indicate are significant to American voters across both parties in the lead-up to the midterms.
“Americans are united on the need to urgently address chronic disease, improve nutrition, strengthen food quality, and lower health costs,” he said. “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast will cover all those issues.”