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T Mobile an explosive hearing in the United States Senate as Donald Trump's own CDC pick who Trump fired Dr. Susan Monterez testified against the Trump regime testified against Donald Trump, testified against RFK Jr. Now I know a lot of attention has been spent on the hearing of Cash Patel, Trump's FBI director, who failed miserably trying to cover up Donald Trump's dark past. But this was in many ways a more important hearing involving this whistleblower who was Trump's own pick. Her name is Dr. Mon. Trump fired her because she was not okay with RFK Jr arbitrarily and capriciously and maliciously just destroying the vaccine recommendations for Americans, especially children. Let me show you what went down in the United States senate and as Dr. Monterez, the former CDC director appointed by Trump, confirmed by the Senate, testified yesterday. So Dr. Monrez talked about how RFK Jr had no data, no science to point to when he butchered the vaccine recommendations that scientists and thus doctors and Americans rely on. Watch this.
Senator/Interviewer
Secretary Kennedy told the Finance Committee that he did not ask you to pre approve but that you are biased against the new CIP and he just asked you to keep an open mind. Did he cite any data or science as relates to the potential ACIP recommendations to persuade you to support them?
Dr. Susan Monterez
He did not have any data or science to point to. As a matter of fact, we got into an exchange where I had suggested that I would be open to changing childhood vaccine schedules if the evidence or science were supportive. And he responded that there was no science or evidence associated with a childhood vaccine schedule. And he elaborated that CDC had never collected the science or the data to make it available related to the to the safety and effort.
Senator/Interviewer
To be clear, he said there was not science or data but that you still expected you to change the schedule.
Dr. Susan Monterez
Correct?
Narrator/Host
Next, I want to show you the top medical officer in the CDC, the chief medical officer, Dr. Houry. She testified how she learned that the Trump regime was going to be getting rid of the vaccine recommendation. She goes I learned about it via a social media post on X. Here, play this clip.
Dr. Houry
I first learned that the Secretary had changed our CDC COVID vaccine guidance on an X social media post. CDC scientists have still not seen the scientific data or justification for this change. That is not gold standard science. The Secretary's office ordered the removal from our website of the CDC scientific document on thimerosal, an additive to vaccines that science has shown is not linked to autism, while allowing an unvetted presentation on thimerosal to happen at ACIP containing scientific assertions that were not assessed for data quality and bias. That kind of last minute alteration undermines confidence and the deliberations that follow and is certainly not radical transparency.
Narrator/Host
Next up you have Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin who just does an incredible job and she's particularly very powerful when it comes to health care, when it comes to women's reproductive rights issues, when it comes to agriculture. But here's she is asking Dr. Houry again a reminder the Chief Medical Officer of the CDC whether or not she was able to brief the health secretary RFK Jr. Like was RFK Jr. Taking advice from the chief medical officer of the CDC and the answer was absolutely no. He didn't want to hear from any scientists at all. Here, play this clip.
Senator/Interviewer
Decisions like this must be made in consultation with c CDC experts because otherwise we are left wondering who is advising the Secretary of Health or if his own conspiracy theories are enough to dictate.
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Senator/Interviewer 2
Dr. Houry, did you ever brief Secretary Kennedy?
Dr. Houry
I never briefed him. I accompanied him on a tour of CDC after the shooting.
Senator/Interviewer
Did your center directors ever directly brief Secretary Kennedy?
Dr. Houry
They did not.
Senator/Interviewer
You were the Chief Medical Officer at the cdc. Would you say that it's harmful to the public if the Secretary is not informed by experts like yourself?
Dr. Houry
Very much so.
Senator/Interviewer 2
How would you characterize Secretary Kennedy's approach.
Senator/Interviewer
To working with scientific experts at the cdc?
Dr. Houry
You know we would have loved to have had the conversations with him. I offered to two different HHS leaders that we would like to brief the Secretary. He never received that and many times I would send emails to our leadership team to share with HHS when he did say things that weren't scientifically correct so that we could help support him. But we again, our requests were not received to brief him.
Narrator/Host
Going back to Dr. Susan Monterez right here. Remember, she's the former director of the CDC appointed by Trump, confirmed by the Republicans in The Senate turned whistleblower against Trump because Trump and RFK are trying to kill all of us. And she's like, I may be a, you know, a Trump pick, but I can't support people being killed. Like, I'm still a doctor. And so she goes. On the morning of August 25th, Secretary Kennedy demanded two things of me that were inconsistent with my oath of office and the ethics required of public officials. Here she is laying out the Trump regime and folks, I don't. I'm not trying to make this political. I'm just bringing out the receipts. This is life or death stuff for us. This is health. Like we've got a bunch of quacks with RFK Jr and Dr. Oz and these idiots right here who are doing things that are going to potentially kill us, kill people we know, harm our children. This is a red alert, folks. Here, play this clip.
Dr. Susan Monterez
On August 19th, I received a directive from the Secretary's office that I now required prior approval from my political staff for CDC policy and personnel decisions. On August 21, I was told to return to Washington from Atlanta immediately, which would have meant missing Officer Rose's memorial, something I was not willing to do. When I did return, I was concerned about my ability to continue to lead the CDC while preserving evidence based decision making commitments I had made to this committee. During my confirmation hearing on the morning of August 25th, Secretary Kennedy demanded two things of me that were inconsistent with my oath of office and the ethics required of a public official. He directed me to commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence. He also directed me to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy without cause. He said if I was unwilling to do both, I should resign. I responded that I could not pre approve recommendations without reviewing the evidence and I had no basis to fire scientific experts. He told me he had already spoken with the White House several times about having me removed. For three decades, I have worked at the intersection of public health, science and technology innovation, always challenging the status quo and welcoming the changes that come from research and discovery. Even under pressure, I could not replace evidence with ideology or compromise my integrity.
Narrator/Host
Now, going back to Dr. Monterez here, she says that RFK Jr's comments defaming her were clearly not accurate.
Senator/Interviewer
Play this clip Dr. Manera's at a September 4th hearing in the Finance Committee, Secretary Kennedy called you a liar for stating that you were fired because you refused to pre approve vaccine recommendations. Is that accurate? Are you a liar?
Dr. Susan Monterez
That is not accurate.
Senator/Interviewer
Why did you believe it was so important for you to refuse to rub a stamp. Vaccine recommendations without seeing them or the evidence behind them. What did you fear was the worst case scenario if you had agreed to doing that?
Dr. Susan Monterez
I refused to do it because I have built a career on scientific integrity and my worst fear was that I would then be in a position of approving something that would reduce access of life saving vaccines to children and others who need them.
Narrator/Host
Here's an exchange between her and Senator Kaine. Let's play it.
Senator/Interviewer
Were you instructed by the secretary of HHS to not speak to senators?
Dr. Susan Monterez
I was instructed to not speak directly with senators.
Senator/Interviewer
And was that Also in the August 25th meeting you described?
Dr. Susan Monterez
That was over the course. I had several engagements with the secretary over that day and it was in one of those meetings that I was.
Senator/Interviewer
Instructed so confirmed CDC director, Senate confirmed. We used to speak with the CDC director all the time during COVID and during other emergencies. Instructed not to speak to senators. Isn't it? Is my memory right? Isn't Secretary Kennedy say he's about radical transparency.
Dr. Susan Monterez
That is one of the areas he has prioritized.
Senator/Interviewer
Yeah, well, putting a gag order on a CDC director and directing her not to speak to those who have confirmed her and to whom she is responsible for oversight is a very serious matter.
Narrator/Host
Now here is Senator elsa Brooks and Dr. Owrey. Remember, Dr. Houry is the chief medical officer at the CDC. The top scientist who reports directly to the CDC director who then is supposed to report to the health secretary, RFK Jr. But RFK Jr. Didn't want to hear from the scientists. RFK Jr. Just wanted on his own to just destroy vaccines, to gut the vaccine board, medical board and to put his own quackery in place of science and data. Here, play this clip.
Dr. Houry
Ask Dr. Howard very directly, do you believe that Secretary Kennedy is incompetent and dangerous to the American people's health? I always believe in optimism and hope and I would say that was my hope when he started. I had read his books and as a transition lead I was prepared to welcome him. After seeing his Senate finance testimony and the number of misstatements, seeing what he has asked our scientists to do and to compromise our integrity and the children that have died under his watch, I think he should resign.
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Narrator/Host
Senator Kaine and Dr. Houry. Let's play it.
Senator/Interviewer
Dr. Howery, did you or career scientists ever brief Secretary Kennedy about recent measles outbreaks?
Dr. Houry
We did not brief Secretary Kennedy.
Senator/Interviewer
Did you speak with any HHS or CDC political staff regarding the outbreaks?
Dr. Houry
With CDC political staff? Absolutely. Our team did. Like the Chief of staff and our communications about measles. And I did want to just follow up on your point about funding. That's my concern. 80% of funding of CDC goes out to state and local communities. So as we see budget cuts to cdc, your community will see that too. And the boots on the ground work that you did in Virginia is exactly the heart of public health.
Narrator/Host
And another powerful exchange between Senator elsa Brooks and Dr. Susan Monorez. Here, play this clip.
Dr. Houry
I want to ask you very quickly about that. On at 5pm on August 8, the gunman opened fire at the CDC headquarters campus in Atlanta, Georgia, forcing thousands on the campus to lock down. Did you hear, did you receive a call from the Secretary upon the first reports that an active shooter on CDC headquarters had shot at employees I did.
Dr. Susan Monterez
Not speak to the secretary on the 8th or any successive day. I did not speak to the secretary until August 11th when he came down to visit.
Dr. Houry
So are you telling me that the Secretary of Health and Human Services failed to even give you a courtesy call upon learning that employees there had been shot at?
Dr. Susan Monterez
He did not call me.
Narrator/Host
So then the MAGA senators tried to do some cleanup and it backfired in their face. So you had MAGA Republican Senator from Oklahoma, Senator Mark Wayne Mullen. Now he lies and claims that when CDC Director Mon was pushing back against RFK Jr. He goes, I know you're lying. You know how I know you're lying? It was all recorded. You were being secretly recorded by what? RFK Jr was secret secretly recording her. And so then it turns out that Mark Wayne Mullen was either lying about that or realized that he screwed up. Because if there was a secret recording by RFK Jr it may have been illegal and he could be potentially a crime if that took place. And also if there is a recording, then Mark Wayne Mullen had an obligation to immediately turn that over to the full Senate committee, which he did not do, thereby making it potential that Mark Wayne Mullen can had a significant ethical breach and he could be potentially involved in either criminal activity, obstruction, or maybe something lesser. But. So Mark Wayne Mullen is lying here and saying that we secretly recorded you. Here, play this clip.
Senator Mark Wayne Mullen
It was a recorded meeting. So you can testify one way or you can prove that you're lying or given and be honest with this committee. And I'm giving you the opportunity to be honest here because you've been really walking around the edges and not being truthful. So did he ask you the question, can he trust you? And your answer was.
Dr. Susan Monterez
He told me he could not trust me. And I told him if he could not trust me, he could fire me.
Senator Mark Wayne Mullen
That isn't how that conversation went. And you know that, don't you?
Dr. Susan Monterez
He told me he could not trust me. And I told him if he could not trust me, he could fire me.
Senator Mark Wayne Mullen
Ma', am, all we're looking for is you to be honest. And you haven't been. You're not even being. You're not being honest with the conversation you're having. You're not giving on being honest with the timeline. And you won't even give the answers of who your attorneys were. And all we're looking for is you to be honest. If we're going to have a hearing and we're going to discuss certain things, let's make sure we're talking with someone that we can trust your answers. It's like my kids, I tell my kids all the time, you know, one thing I want from you, I can deal with any situation we walk into as long as I know you're being 100% honest with me. The minute I can't tell you're being honest with me, I can't trust you. From then on, everything you say is questioned. And you have to question you because your personality and your answers aren't correct.
Narrator/Host
Then even Republican Senator from Louisiana, Bill Cassidy, he's like, I learned when I stepped out that Mark Wayne Mullen was up here claiming that there was a recording. If there's a recording out there, a secret recording that was made of Dr. Monterez that I don't know about it, you turn that over right now. Here, watch this.
Senator/Interviewer
Was that a vote? I understand Senator Mullen implied there's a recording of the meeting or meetings between Dr. Manarez and Secretary Kennedy. I will note that, that if materials have been provided to Senator Mullen and invoked in official committee business, their committee records and all other senators on the committee have the right to see those records. I will also note if HHS has a recording, I ask them to release the recording. I'd also like to know why it was recorded. But releasing the recording would be radical transparency, and this is about fulfilling the president's vision of radical transparency. This is allegiance to President Trump's values. And so I'd ask that that recording be released. I'll also note that we put in a request for any documents or communications that would bring transparency to the situation. We have not yet received those documents. If a recording does not exist, I ask Senator Mullen to retract his line of questions. Mr. Chairman, let me see one more thing. I'll also note that if he has it, I'm also curious why only one senator was given this and why we're just hearing about it now, and why didn't the secretary share it at the Senate Finance Committee? But those are questions that can be answered later with that. Senator Sanders. That's exactly the point that I want to make. How does that happen? If it is true that one senator has access to an alleged tape recording of a meeting, nobody else has it, including the chairman. This is what we're dealing with right now. And this is what I think Dr. Maner is. This is a very politicized situation.
Narrator/Host
And then Mark Wayne Mullen basically admits that he didn't do the recording, but Cassidy is just fully fed up with Maga Republican Mark Wayne Mullen's antics. Here, play this clip.
Senator/Interviewer
For the record, it's just been reported that Senator Mullen told reporters that he was mistaken in saying that the RFK Menores meeting was recorded. But in case he's mistaken, that he was mistaken. If there is a. If there is a recording, it should be released. And it would beg the question of what other conversations were recorded. And I'll repeat what I said earlier. We have sent a request to HHS for records related to. To these incidences. We've yet to receive those, but of course it would help the committee, which on both sides has found itself scratching its head, that help us kind of discern what the truth is.
Narrator/Host
But here's the thing, Senator Kennedy, I mean, Senator Cassidy, you got played by RFK Jr. You're a physician. Senator Cassidy, you're a physician. And you should never have allowed, ever have allowed RFK Jr to be approved as the Health secretary. You knew his background, and then you had other Republican senators like Tillis said they relied on you because you were a physician and you gave the green light to RFK. Now, let me show you Ron DeSantis pick to fill in as the senator. When Rubio is picked to be Secretary of State, the governor gets to pick the replacement. Ashley Moody, she's like, the worst. She's not even good at being a hack. She's a whack hack, meaning a bad hack, whack hack. But anyway, Ashley Moody is so bizarre in her attack of the former CDC director that even Senator Cassidy was like, all right, I'm only sure. Can we move on? Here, Here, play this clip.
Senator/Interviewer 2
You have this whole network of people that's trying to embarrass the president or go after the president, and now you are joining this group. Why don't you want to give their names?
Senator/Interviewer
My.
Dr. Susan Monterez
Their names have been publicly associated with them. They issued public remarks early on after.
Senator/Interviewer 2
Let me ask your colleague. I've noticed they've also been giving you notes, too, and whispering to you. Will you state their names?
Dr. Houry
So their names are Abby Lowell and Mark Zaid.
Senator/Interviewer 2
That wasn't too hard. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. I really was genuinely asking so that the record was clear. But now I'm wondering what else we're trying to hide. And I'll go back to you. Did you plan to coordinate? And I'll. I'll go back to the original witness. Did you plan to coordinate this public spectacle surrounding your firing?
Dr. Susan Monterez
No.
Senator/Interviewer 2
And have you coordinated with Dr. Houry? Am I pronouncing that correctly, and I apologize if I'm not. Did you coordinate with her or anyone else that you worked with surrounding your leaving?
Dr. Susan Monterez
I did not coordinate with anyone surrounding my leaving. I was terminated abruptly.
Senator/Interviewer 2
So you had no advance plan to write an op ed, do a public hearing? I noticed that you immediately called our chairman.
Dr. Susan Monterez
I had committed during my confirmation process several elements, including integrity, transparency, working with Congress.
Senator/Interviewer 2
But you had no advance plan with any colleagues?
Dr. Susan Monterez
I had no advance plan with any colleagues, Doctor.
Senator/Interviewer 2
Excuse me, Dr. Houry, if there wasn't an advance plan, did you tell a reporter we agreed to do this together?
Dr. Houry
Myself, Dr. Jernigan and Dr. Daskalakis agreed.
Senator/Interviewer 2
To do this all together.
Dr. Houry
Once Dr. Manara's was being terminated, the three of us knew that we could not remain, given our ethical concerns and commitment to scientific integrity.
Senator/Interviewer
I just want to make a brief comment. As my name was invoked as a chairman of the committee with jurisdiction over the CDC that favorably reported Dr. Menorah as a CDC director, it is entirely appropriate for someone with oversight concerns to contact my office or me, or frankly, any of us. Upon receiving outreach from Dr. Minarez, I contacted both the Secretary and the White House to inquire what was happening and to express concerns about what was alleged. As soon as the director was fired, the HELP committee began reviewing the situation as it is our responsibility, and any and all communications with the witnesses was conducted by HELP staff in coordination with attorneys.
Narrator/Host
So there you have it. You have Donald Trump's own CDC director and the Chief Medical Officer are now whistleblowers against the regime. Wow. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million. Thanks for watching.
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Episode Title: Trump Gets Thrown Under Bus by His Own Pick at Major Hearing
Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
This episode dives into the explosive U.S. Senate hearing where Dr. Susan Monterez, Donald Trump’s own pick as CDC director, turns whistleblower against both Trump and current HHS Secretary RFK Jr. The Meiselas brothers closely analyze Dr. Monterez's and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Houry's testimonies, revealing troubling efforts to sideline scientific expertise in national vaccine policy. The podcast is a blend of urgent reporting, brotherly banter, and biting political commentary, with the hosts highlighting the critical clash between science and ideology in public health.
Ben (Narrator/Host, 00:28):
"Dr. Monterez, the former CDC director appointed by Trump, confirmed by the Senate, testified yesterday ... RFK Jr had no data, no science to point to when he butchered the vaccine recommendations."
On Data and Science:
Dr. Monterez recounts RFK Jr. insisting on changing vaccine schedules absent any scientific justification.
Unethical Demands and Firing:
Recounts being ordered to pre-approve recommendations and fire scientific staff without cause.
On Integrity and Resignation:
On Gag Orders:
Instructed not to communicate with Senators, contradicting the administration’s claims of transparency.
ER Doctor, CDC’s Chief Medical Officer.
She reveals learning about crucial policy changes via social media, not through briefings or evidence-sharing as would be standard.
Lack of Access to Secretary Kennedy (RFK Jr):
She and other experts were never allowed to advise or brief the secretary.
Indicting Critique:
Hesitates at first, then calls for Secretary Kennedy’s resignation due to endangering public health.
Democratic Senators (e.g., Tammy Baldwin, Senator Kaine, Elsa Brooks):
Repeatedly emphasize the dangers of making public health decisions without scientific input, highlight the ethical breaches, and defend the CDC officials’ integrity.
Republican Senators (notably Markwayne Mullin and Bill Cassidy):
Senator Mullin accuses Dr. Monterez of lying, claims there is a secret recording, which creates a procedural and potential legal uproar. Cassidy rebukes Mullin’s implication and demands transparency if a recording exists.
Further Host Commentary:
The brothers highlight how the attempt at a ‘gotcha’ moment by MAGA senators only exposed chaotic and unethical tactics. They point out the hypocrisy and political theater, ridiculing lines of questioning about “networks” or conspiracies against the administration.
On RFK Jr.’s Approach:
Shooter Incident at CDC:
Monterez testifies she did not receive a call from the Secretary of HHS following an active shooter event (“He did not call me,” 15:52).
Resignations in Protest:
Dr. Houry and colleagues jointly agreed to resign after Dr. Monterez’s firing, citing compromised scientific ethics (24:49).
On Integrity:
On Transparency:
On the State of U.S. Health Policy:
Rebuke by Dr. Houry:
The episode provides an urgent, detailed look at the latest congressional hearing where Trump’s own CDC director turns on the administration and RFK Jr., exposing attempts to undermine science in vaccine policymaking. The Meiselas brothers walk listeners through gripping testimonies, the Senate’s dramatic responses, and the ethical breach evident in the proceedings. Notable moments include Dr. Monterez’s refusal to abandon her scientific integrity, Dr. Houry’s public resignation, and the meltdown of the hearing as MAGA senators escalate political attacks. The episode ends emphasizing the danger of political interference in public health and the heroic stands taken by career medical officials.
For those who missed the hearing, this episode distills the facts, drama, and implications into an accessible and vivid breakdown — underscoring what’s at stake when science is sidelined for politics.