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Important Context

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NIH Autism Research Grants in Hands of COVID Vaccine Doubters
The NIH director has teamed up with an old colleague who previously worked at an anti-vaccine group.
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Walker Bragman
The Contrarian At The CDC Vaccine Policy Meeting
Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg used her time at the critical ACIP meeting to cast doubt on vaccines.
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Walker Bragman
Kennedy’s (Former) Anti-Vax Group Running Interference On Measles
The recent measles outbreaks are a headache for the HHS secretary, but his allies have been sowing doubt for weeks.
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Walker Bragman
The FDA Goes Fringe: What You Need to Know About the Agency’s New Hire
Tracy Beth Høeg has been a far-right favorite for her COVID contrarianism.
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Walker Bragman

March 2025

Trump’s Got a New FDA Chief and NIH Director. They’ve Been Getting Public Health Wrong For Years.
Donald Trump’s new public health officials have long histories of making false and misleading statements related to science.
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Jonathan Howard
“The Great Birdington Declaration”: The Origins of Kennedy’s Avian Flu Herd Immunity Plan Explained
The idea of letting a dangerous pathogen rip for herd immunity emerged out of right-wing efforts to reopen the economy at the height of the COVID-19…
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Walker Bragman
Chris Rufo’s Big Right-Wing Score
The right-wing operative landed a huge prize from a major right-wing funder.
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Natalie Jonas
Ivermectin Doctors Launch New Medical Journal
It is the latest dark money-fueled publication stacked with fringe doctors with ties to the Trump administration.
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Walker Bragman
“So much for MAHA”: Anti-Vaxxers Fume Over Kennedy Op-Ed Touting Measles Vaccine
The anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist acknowledged that the MMR vaccine saves lives in an op-ed His supporters are not happy.
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Walker Bragman

February 2025

Trump Pick for NIH Director: Vaccines May Cause Autism, Alternative Schedules Okay
Jay Bhattacharya made the remarks on a podcast in September, weeks before being nominated to lead the NIH.
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Walker Bragman
Oversight?: Trump NIH Pick Fails to Include Big Award From Major Right-Wing Group On Financial Disclosure
Jay Bhattacharya won the $250,000 Bradley Prize in 2024 but did not include it in his government filing.
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Walker Bragman
Trump’s Withdrawal of Proposed PFAS Regulation Evidences Project 2025 Influence
Using similar language to Project 2025, Trump’s Day-One regulatory freeze rolls back regulation to PFAS discharge.
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Amanda Magnani
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