Maintenance Phase: BONUS Episode Summary — "What's New With RFK Jr.?"

Release Date: December 20, 2024
Hosts: Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

Introduction

In this bonus episode of Maintenance Phase, hosts Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes delve deep into the ongoing saga of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), following his nomination as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) by Donald Trump on November 14, 2024. The episode aims to unpack the myriad controversies, political maneuvers, and personal scandals surrounding RFK Jr., providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of why this figure remains a persistent topic of discussion in American politics.

RFK Jr.'s Nomination as HHS Secretary

The episode kicks off with the nomination announcement of RFK Jr. by Donald Trump, setting the stage for a series of unexpected political dynamics and alliances.

• Michael Hobbs (00:11): Expresses frustration about RFK Jr.'s prominence, stating, "I wanna make this about me."

• Aubrey Gordon (01:12): Highlights the significance of the nomination, mentioning, "On November 14, 2024, Donald Trump officially announced RFK Jr. as his nominee for HHS secretary."

The nomination triggered a flurry of reactions from various political figures and commentators, further complicating the political landscape.

Support and Criticism from Various Figures

RFK Jr.'s nomination garnered both support and criticism from unexpected quarters, illustrating the polarized views surrounding his appointment.

• Aubrey Gordon (02:07): Notes Michael Pollan's initial support through a tweet, later clarifying Pollan's stance: "Pollan has since clarified that he's not endorsing RFK Jr."

• Michael Hobbs (03:04): Points out RFK Jr.'s involvement in promoting anti-vaccine beliefs, leading to public outcry: "He's also being correctly accused of promoting anti-vax beliefs. Children have died of measles outbreaks that he has been connected to."

Additional support came from figures like Jared Polis, the Democratic governor of Colorado, who expressed excitement about RFK Jr.'s nomination (03:16).

RFK Jr.'s Stated Policies and Controversies

RFK Jr. has outlined a series of policies aimed at dismantling what he perceives as the FDA's suppression of alternative health practices. However, many of these policies have been met with skepticism and criticism.

• RFK Jr.'s Twitter Statement (04:33): "FDA's war on public health is about to end..." He lists various treatments and supplements he aims to promote, including raw milk and hyperbaric therapies.

• Aubrey Gordon (05:48): Criticizes the feasibility and safety of RFK Jr.'s proposed policies, stating, "He is against industry involvement in health care, he's against regulated industry involvement."

The hosts dissect the practicality of these policies, emphasizing the challenges RFK Jr. would face in implementing such changes, especially given the need for congressional action and regulatory approvals (08:20).

Ballot Access Issues in Presidential Campaign

RFK Jr.'s independent presidential campaign has been fraught with logistical hurdles, particularly concerning ballot access across all 50 states.

• Michael Hobbs (14:50): Discusses the complexity of getting on the ballot as an independent, highlighting the varying signature requirements: "In some states you have to get like 42,000 signatures on a petition."

• Aubrey Gordon (16:08): Mentions staffing issues and the involvement of controversial figures like Nick Branagh and Trent Pool, both of whom have faced allegations of misconduct (16:36).

The campaign's struggles with ballot access have led to legal challenges, resulting in RFK Jr. being removed from the ballot in states like Arizona due to potential coordination violations with Super PACs (25:50).

Allegations and Personal Scandals

Beyond political controversies, RFK Jr.'s personal life has been marred by serious allegations, including sexual misconduct and questionable behavior.

• Sexual Assault Allegations (45:12): The hosts discuss incidents involving RFK Jr. and a 23-year-old babysitter, detailing unwanted physical advances and alleged harassment (46:28).

• Personal Scandals (40:32 - 48:12): RFK Jr.'s personal life includes claims of multiple affairs, leading to a strained marriage and tragic consequences, such as his wife's suicide.

• Brainworm Claim (05:11 - 07:00): RFK Jr. alleges having a parasite that affected his brain, which the hosts critique as exaggerated and misleading, especially given the context of a legal battle over child support (05:11).

These personal scandals paint a portrait of RFK Jr. as not only a contentious political figure but also one with a troubled personal history.

Media Interaction and Public Relations

RFK Jr.'s interactions with the media have been strategic yet often backfire, further complicating his public image.

• Defamation Claims (30:14): RFK Jr. accuses the White House of colluding with social media platforms to censor him, claiming significant follower losses on Instagram (30:14).

• Public Relations Blunders (50:00 - 55:50): Stories such as RFK Jr. placing a dead bear in Central Park and making racially insensitive jokes have been met with public backlash and ridicule from both the hosts and the audience.

• Vanity Fair Feature (16:36 - 35:14): An in-depth Vanity Fair article uncovers various misconducts within RFK Jr.'s campaign team, including allegations against key staff members, further tarnishing his reputation.

These interactions underscore RFK Jr.'s precarious standing in the media, where attempts to control his narrative often lead to increased scrutiny and negative perception.

Conclusion

The Maintenance Phase hosts conclude the episode by reflecting on RFK Jr.'s enduring presence in American politics, despite numerous setbacks and controversies. They emphasize the destructive impact of his actions, both politically and personally, and express a strong desire to move past his narrative.

• Aubrey Gordon (69:43): Summarizes the allure of the Kennedy name juxtaposed with RFK Jr.'s personal failings: "The Kennedy name, the fantasy and celebrity of it, is its own shield, blinding people to the fine details of Kennedy's actual beliefs and thereby making him an appealing and easy vessel for discontent with Biden and Trump."

• Michael Hobbs (71:30): Critiques the broader implications of RFK Jr.'s influence, highlighting the damage left in his wake: "You've got this wake of damage behind him and yet he himself has only become wealthier, more prominent."

The hosts advocate for greater public awareness and engagement to counteract the influence of figures like RFK Jr., urging listeners to remain vigilant against the spread of misinformation and the allure of baseless political populism.

Notable Quotes

• Michael Hobbs (00:53): "Supplements because otherwise this administration is going to put us in jail."

• Aubrey Gordon (04:05): "He's not into it. He's also against the suppression of nutraceuticals."

• Michael Hobbs (07:24): "He can sort of shape the kinds of clinical trials that are required of drug companies."

• Aubrey Gordon (10:11): "You can call the Capitol switchboard directly and tell them whether or not you think RFK Jr. Should be confirmed."

• Michael Hobbs (12:10): "We will have to talk about him for the rest of our lives until we die of measles, which I think is about a 50, 50 chance at this."

• Aubrey Gordon (16:56): "Nick Branagh... has faced allegations of misconduct."

• Michael Hobbs (31:09): "800,000 followers isn't even that many followers."

• Aubrey Gordon (40:34): "Michael, I feel like I have a broad sense of what we're in for, but I have generally, like, not done a deep dive into the RFK Jr updates."

• Michael Hobbs (69:43): "The Kennedy name... is its own shield, blinding people to the fine details of Kennedy's actual beliefs."

Content Warnings

This episode contains discussions of:

• Domestic Violence
• Sexual Assault
• Suicide
• Animal Cruelty

Listener discretion is advised.

Final Thoughts

Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes provide an unflinching examination of RFK Jr., blending factual reporting with sharp commentary. Their analysis paints a comprehensive picture of a complex and controversial figure whose actions continue to influence American political discourse. For those unfamiliar with the episode, this summary offers a clear and detailed overview of the key points, ensuring a thorough understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding RFK Jr.'s public and private life.