Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration during the Trump administration, is actively opposing the potential appointment of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the new Trump government. In a recent interview on CNBC, Gottlieb revealed that he has been engaging with senators and highlighted a sense of doubt within the Republican caucus regarding RFK Jr.’s nomination, which is not extensively covered in the media.
He also aired an attack line that I’m sure we will hear throughout RFK, Jr.’s confirmation hearing, “I think if RFK follows through on his intentions, and I believe he will, and I believe he can, it will cost lives in this country,”
Gottlieb highlighted three arguments against RFK, Jr.
Gottlieb has outlined three key arguments to rally Republican senators against RFK Jr.’s appointment. Firstly, he emphasized the influence of significant agricultural entities that might financially support challengers of Republican incumbents in upcoming elections due to RFK Jr.’s stances on the American food sector. Secondly, he pointed out RFK Jr.’s history of advocating for abortion rights, which could clash with conservative senators. Lastly, Gottlieb highlighted RFK Jr.’s opposition to childhood vaccinations, a stance that might concern senators focused on public health issues.
In reality, he only has one argument.
Gottlieb raised concerns about the potential impact of RFK Jr.’s appointment on public health, particularly mentioning the possibility of declining vaccination rates for diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella. He warned that a mere five percent drop in vaccination rates, which he believes is feasible in the near future, could lead to significant outbreaks of measles, underscoring the importance of following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended MMR vaccination, one of the many vaccines endorsed by the CDC.
You’ve seen this argument before with Social Security.
It is the argument that the unscrupulous make when they have nothing else to work with.
In my view, Gottlieb is the poster child for what is wrong in American medicine. From 2003 to 2007, he worked at the FDA and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. From there, he went to an investment fund specializing in emerging medical companies and sat on the boards of at least three pharmaceutical companies. In 2017, he became FDA commissioner. Now he’s back on the board of Pfizer. During COVID, he was in favor of lockdowns, masking, social isolation of the vulnerable, and social distancing. He opposed federal vaccine mandates but supported the same mandates at the local level.
Gottlieb was also one of the prime movers behind the ban on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, of former New York Times reporter and novelist Alex Berenson for challenging conventional wisdom.
There is no doubt that a guy like RFK Jr. will upset more than a few applecarts in the pharmaceutical manufacturing and regulation complex.
Terrified Ex-FDA Commissioner and Pfizer Vaccine Promoter Scott Gottlieb Claims RFK Jr. Will “Cost Lives”
Biopharmaceutical Complex player vows to “continue to raise my concerns” with senators about RFK Jr., fearing much-needed agency reform, by Nicolas Huscher, MPH… pic.twitter.com/m9SzvHV6X3
— Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH® (@P_McCulloughMD) November 30, 2024
He may even ban former regulators from working in the industries they regulated for a period of years.
Gottlieb’s fears likely stem from RFK Jr’s promise to shut down the revolving door of corruption, a door that Gottlieb has walked through. pic.twitter.com/Y1aprvlOoJ
— Nicolas Hulscher, MPH (@NicHulscher) November 29, 2024
While Gottlieb has the right to talk to as many senators as he wishes, I would suggest that his talk of a polio epidemic is more to scare than enlighten them. His real fear is that RFK, Jr., will upset the comfy, one-hand-washes-the-other that exists between regulators and regulated industries and the high-paying revolving door that shuttles regulators to regulated industries and then back to regulatory agencies.
