RFK Jr. Says USA’s COVID Response was ‘Worst in the World’

In a fiery Senate showdown Thursday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unleashed a blistering attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accusing the agency of botching America’s COVID-19 response and causing the nation to suffer the highest death toll on the planet.

But there was one glaring omission: he never mentioned that Donald Trump — now in his second term — was president when the pandemic spiraled out of control.

“We Did Worse Than Any Country in the World”

Kennedy, handpicked by Trump to lead HHS, didn’t hold back as he faced the Senate Finance Committee.

“America is home to 4.2% of the world’s population, yet we had nearly 20% of the COVID deaths,” he declared. “We literally did worse than any country in the world. The CDC failed the American people — period.”

Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic and controversial political figure, blasted the CDC for lockdowns, school closures, and mask mandates. “The people who put masks on our children and closed our schools — they’re leaving,” he warned, confirming a sweeping leadership shake-up inside the agency.

Leadership Chaos at CDC

His comments came days after CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez resigned, claiming she was pushed out for resisting Kennedy’s “radical policies.” Several top officials followed her out the door.

Sources inside the agency described “total chaos” behind the scenes, with one senior scientist telling Politico, “This isn’t reform — it’s a purge.”

Despite the internal upheaval, Kennedy is doubling down, promising “bold, creative leadership” and vowing to chart a “new course” for U.S. public health policy.

Trump’s Pandemic Legacy — Untouched

What Kennedy didn’t mention: Trump’s initial response to the pandemic in 2020 was widely criticized as slow and chaotic.

Back then, the U.S. struggled with limited testing, mixed messaging, and widespread confusion. Trump publicly downplayed the virus, comparing it to the flu and famously predicting it would “disappear.” He promoted unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine and even suggested exploring whether “disinfectant injections” might be worth studying.

By the time Trump left office in January 2021, more than 400,000 Americans had died.

Still, Trump later launched “Operation Warp Speed,” the program that fast-tracked vaccine development — a move many credit with saving lives.

Senate Explodes Into Partisan Crossfire

Thursday’s hearing quickly devolved into shouting matches, with senators from both parties hammering Kennedy over his handling of vaccine policy.

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana accused Kennedy of “actively denying Americans access to lifesaving vaccines.”

Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan slammed the administration’s decision to restrict COVID vaccines for seniors, calling it “reckless and dangerous.”

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner erupted in frustration when Kennedy appeared uncertain about basic statistics.

“You’ve had the job for eight months and you don’t know the data?” Warner shouted. “How can you be that ignorant?!”

Kennedy fired back, insisting his critics were “defending a broken system.”

A Brewing Power Struggle

Kennedy’s rise to power was fueled by an unlikely alliance with Trump during the 2024 campaign, when the former Democrat broke ranks with his party and endorsed the president’s reelection. In return, Trump appointed him to oversee the nation’s health policy — a move that stunned Washington and ignited bipartisan backlash.

Now, just months into his tenure, Kennedy faces mounting calls for resignation, with critics accusing him of politicizing science and dismantling public health safeguards.

For Trump, who continues to tout “America First” policies in his second term, the political gamble could come back to haunt him as Kennedy’s controversies dominate headlines.

The Bottom Line

The Senate hearing was more than just a clash over pandemic history — it exposed deep rifts over how the U.S. will handle future health crises. With Kennedy reshaping vaccine policy and dismantling CDC leadership, and Trump standing firmly behind him, Washington is bracing for an even bigger fight over public health in 2025.