Anti-vaxxer. Spreader of misinformation. Harmful.
Del Bigtree understands the vitriol that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., confronted throughout his presidential marketing campaign and his affirmation course of for secretary of Well being and Human Providers (HHS).
For years, Bigtree has had the identical assaults directed at him.
As accomplice behind the documentary “Vaxxed,” and founding father of the Knowledgeable Consent Motion Community, Bigtree is taken into account one of many nation’s most outstanding advocates for vaccine security research, kids’s well being, and knowledgeable consent, together with Kennedy.
Bigtree and Kennedy have labored collectively on vaccine-related points for greater than a decade. Bigtree was additionally among the many advisers current when Kennedy determined to run for president and he served because the candidate’s communications director throughout his marketing campaign.
Standing within the Oval Workplace in February watching Kennedy take the oath to function secretary of HHS, Bigtree stated he felt a wave of feelings.
He stated he considered “all of the slinging arrows solid his manner from the second he entered the race as a Democrat, all the criticism from the mainstream media, and all the obstacles designed to wreck his marketing campaign.”
“He was confronted with so many hurdles however he stored transferring ahead with what he believes,” Bigtree instructed The Epoch Instances. “That second, when he put his hand on the Bible and was sworn in, was candy as a result of he was now able to make a higher impression on points we’ve fought for a very long time.”
Bigtree, now CEO of the MAHA Motion political motion committee, remains to be the pinnacle of Knowledgeable Consent Motion Community and host of “The Highwire,” a web based present that explores vaccine security and well being points.
Earlier in his profession, he was a producer for the “Dr. Phil Present” and the CBS speak present, “The Medical doctors.” He gained an Emmy Award throughout his time there.
His tenure on “The Medical doctors” sparked a brand new path.
For a decade, the present principally centered on episodes about leading edge surgical procedures and medical breakthroughs, Bigtree famous.
In 2014, a radiologist approached Bigtree a few story on the hyperlink between vaccines and autism. Bigtree recollects telling him, “‘On ‘The Medical doctors,’ we’re fairly set on the concept vaccines don’t trigger autism, and that vaccines are protected and efficient. But when that’s an area you’re actually centered on, I’m all the time curious about an argument and in a narrative.’
“I instructed him that one thing actually large must occur for me to even pitch the story,” Bigtree stated.
A 12 months later, the identical radiologist alerted Bigtree to Dr. William Thompson, a “whistleblower contained in the CDC,” the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Thompson was about to return ahead to say “that the CDC is committing scientific fraud with their vaccine security research,” Bigtree stated.
“The Medical doctors” wouldn’t broadcast the story.
Across the identical time, Bigtree met Dr. Andrew Wakefield, the British doctor who linked the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism, in an article revealed within the medical journal, The Lancet.
The story drew backlash from the pro-vaccine neighborhood and was ultimately retracted. Wakefield misplaced his medical license however he continued on his mission to point out a connection between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Bigtree discovered about Wakefield’s documentary that chronicled Thompson’s story in regards to the CDC. He watched the movie’s first model within the basement of Wakefield’s residence.
Bigtree left “The Medical doctors” and teamed up with Wakefield to complete the documentary.
“Vaxxed: From Cowl-up to Disaster” was launched in 2016 and drew widespread controversy. Actor Robert DeNiro eliminated the movie from the Tribeca Movie Competition in 2016. A number of venues had been criticized for displaying the documentary.
Bigtree promoted the movie on a bus tour and have become a celeb throughout the medical freedom motion.
Scientific Research
Kennedy has stated the hyperlink between autism and vaccines has not been disproven, and that not one of the vaccines given to kids in the course of the first six months of life have been examined for such a connection.
In 2019, the Knowledgeable Consent Motion Community submitted a Freedom of Data Act request to the CDC asking for “all research relied upon by CDC to assert that the DTaP vaccine doesn’t trigger autism.”
The DTaP vaccine is used to guard towards diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). The Community additionally submitted the identical request for the hepatitis B vaccine, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, and the polio vaccine.
The group additionally requested that the CDC present research to point out that cumulative publicity to those vaccines in the course of the first six months of life don’t trigger autism.
Bigtree stated the CDC lastly offered 20 research, none of which confirmed that the vaccines don’t trigger autism.
Bigtree stated he launched “The Highwire” in 2017 to current the proof that the Knowledgeable Consent Motion Community was discovering in courts.
“We’ve heard about mountains and mountains of research, and tons and tons and thousands and thousands of youngsters by each single information pundit on the earth, however they’re mendacity. They may not present a single one. It’s stunning,”Bigtree stated.
“And at last, Robert Kennedy, Jr., goes to do one thing about it.”
As well being secretary, Kennedy has promised vital adjustments all through his division, and among the many adjustments he has already made embrace widespread reductions in workers.
The requirement is “a radical departure from previous practices,” a spokesperson for the HHS instructed The Epoch Instances in an e mail.
“Apart from the COVID vaccine, not one of the vaccines on the CDC’s childhood beneficial schedule was examined towards an inert placebo, which means we all know little or no in regards to the precise threat profiles of those merchandise,” the spokesperson stated.
“If he’s assured vaccines are protected, why did he block the information from being seen?” Bigtree stated.
“Bias shouldn’t be in a position to impression science. Till now, we’ve solely had scientists who’re biased for vaccines. Regulatory businesses must be skeptical and constantly trying to find solutions. The bias has to finish, and I’m assured it would beneath Bobby’s management,” he stated.
Bigtree stated Kennedy ought to deliver into HHS scientists who need to decide if there’s some connection between vaccines and autism.
“Get scientists who say, ‘I believe I can show vaccines do trigger autism,’” Bigtree stated. “If they’ll’t pull that off, now you might have a real security profile.”
Kennedy has stated for years that autism is probably going tied to childhood vaccines.
President Donald Trump stated in December 2024 that he would give Kennedy the liberty to analyze the potential hyperlink between vaccines and autism if the latter was confirmed as HHS secretary.
Earlier this month, Kennedy stated in a Cupboard assembly that “we’ll know what has triggered the autism epidemic and we’ll have the ability to eradicate these exposures.”
Kennedy stated on April 16 that autism is an epidemic and criticized individuals who attribute the bounce largely or solely to raised screening and diagnostic standards.
“Medical doctors and therapists previously weren’t silly,” he stated. “They weren’t lacking all these instances. The epidemic is actual.”
Throughout an April 16 tackle, Kennedy additionally stated that autism “destroys households” and “our kids.”
“These are children who won’t ever pay taxes. They‘ll by no means maintain a job. They’ll by no means play baseball. They‘ll by no means write a poem. They’ll by no means exit on a date. A lot of them won’t ever use a bathroom,” Kennedy stated in the course of the briefing.
The remarks drew criticism from some dad and mom, who stated that their autistic kids are profitable and never reflective of what Kennedy described. Different dad and mom of youngsters with autism fiercely defended Kennedy, noting that he was precisely describing how the situation impacts some households.
On the briefing, Kennedy additionally defined that genetics could also be behind some instances of autism, however that environmental components are behind what he known as the “autism epidemic.”
Vaccines and meals components are among the many doable causes, he stated. And he stated that autism is a “preventable illness.”
On April 17, Kennedy clarified the remarks that drew the ire of some dad and mom.
“There are a lot of children with autism who’re doing effectively. They’re holding down jobs, they’re getting paychecks, they’re dwelling independently,” Kennedy stated on Fox Information.
Bigtree applauded Kennedy for his dedication to search out solutions in regards to the autism epidemic.
“What was stunning about at this time’s assertion is the truth that it was stunning in any respect,” Bigtree stated.
“Lastly, for the primary time, we’re listening to from an HHS Secretary that there must be an environmental poisonous publicity that’s inflicting this. It’s a preventable illness.”
Bigtree stated genes don’t trigger an epidemic.
“But all of the funding from our regulatory businesses has been into the genetics round autism, as an alternative of what environmental toxin or group of poisons is inflicting this for all of the autistic dad and mom on the market,” Bigtree stated.
As Kennedy delivered his April 16 remarks, Bigtree stated, “I believed, what number of scientists and people have stood at that podium and instructed us that it was genetic and that we shouldn’t be worrying about this or refusing to name this an epidemic?”
“Lastly, that ends at this time,” he added.
Launching MAHA
As Kennedy’s marketing campaign communications director, Bigtree accompanied the candidate to city halls and talking engagements throughout the nation. The marketing campaign gained momentum for a number of months, drawing assist from conservatives, moderates, and independents.
Kennedy and Trump began conversations not lengthy after Trump survived an assassination try at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, final July, Bigtree stated.
“From that time, to when Bobby introduced he was suspending his marketing campaign and becoming a member of President Trump, it was troublesome for everybody on the marketing campaign group,” Bigtree stated.
“I believe all of us had days when our perspective shifted about staying within the race or becoming a member of Trump. I think about Bobby felt the identical manner.”
Kennedy introduced his transfer to depart the race and endorse Trump at a rally on Aug. 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona.
Throughout his speech, Kennedy stated that Trump was giving him the chance to make America wholesome once more.
That phrase was shortly shared in hashtags on social media and MAHA was born.
Bigtree stated the group response to Kennedy that evening was overwhelming.
“I’ve identified Bobby for a very long time and have seen him take all of the slings and arrows from his combat for medical freedom, all of the assaults from the mainstream media, the dearth of assist from the Democratic Occasion, and all the obstacles offered throughout his impartial presidential marketing campaign,” he stated.
“From that response that evening, and the highly effective speech that Bobby made, there was no query he had made the correct determination.”
Bigtree stated the main focus shifted; the MAHA Motion PAC was launched and commenced working to encourage Kennedy supporters to solid their vote for Trump.
The PAC advocates for insurance policies comparable to vaccine security info transparency, improved entry to holistic well being care, analyzing the meals trade, and addressing company affect on authorities well being businesses.
MAHA Motion can be debuting a nationwide listing of physicians who’re pro-MAHA, and the preventive well being method of prioritizing way of life changes over pharmaceuticals.
The group additionally has a database that tracks proposed laws in states nationwide, indicating whether or not insurance policies are “anti-MAHA” or “MAHA accredited.”
Guests to the MAHA Motion web site will have the ability to observe legislators to see in the event that they assist the MAHA initiative, Bigtree stated.
MAHA took all these completely different teams—together with moms advocating for natural meals and other people preventing for knowledgeable consent, regenerative farming communities standing towards herbicides and pesticides, and natural farming communities—and united them right into a single complete motion.
That delivered votes for Trump, Bigtree believes.
“President Trump pulled one thing off that nobody believed was doable. He gained each battleground state,” Bigtree stated.
“When it got here to mothers and well being and making America wholesome once more, and getting the poisonous chemical compounds out of our meals, which turned an actual battle cry throughout America, I believe that’s actually what shifted the power on this nation.”
Bigtree believes Kennedy’s presence contributed to the resounding win “that left no confusion that People mandated drastic change.”
“Bobby modified the power of President Trump. I believe MAHA, in some ways, kind of introduced a softer edge to the MAGA motion,” Bigtree stated. “All over the place we went, we heard folks inform us they had been by no means going to vote for President Trump till RFK Jr. joined.”
On April 6, for the primary time that Bigtree might recall, he vehemently disagreed with a Kennedy assertion about vaccines.
For a decade, Kennedy and Bigtree have been among the many most vocal critics of the efficacy and security of the MMR vaccine due to its potential hyperlink to autism and different situations.
Kennedy’s assist for the MMR vaccine after years of criticism drew sharp criticism from some folks within the medical freedom neighborhood.
Bigtree responded on X, saying Kennedy’s put up will need to have “obtained lower off” and that “the MMR vaccine can be probably the most efficient methods to trigger autism.”
“For all who’re asking—I’ve labored with Bobby for a few years and I can confidently say that he has a coronary heart that’s incapable of compromise. I additionally acknowledge that he’s at a poker desk with the slyest serpents on the earth and the stakes are nothing lower than the lives of our kids and the way forward for our species.
“We should always not ask him to point out his playing cards for our sake, however we will demand that he takes a bit extra time to put in writing a greater … put up than this one,” Bigtree stated.
On April 13, Bigtree instructed The Epoch Instances, “I might have stated that assertion in another way” as a result of vaccines have unintended effects and “these unintended effects must be acknowledged.”
He added that in contrast to Kennedy, he’s “not restricted by the shackles of political appointment” and he is not going to alter his perspective.
He reiterated his assist for Kennedy.
“I’ve full religion in Bobby and that actual science and transparency will turn out to be the middle of HHS. His job is to be HHS secretary for the whole nation,” Bigtree stated. “Vaccines shall be out there for folks however there shall be knowledgeable consent and clear research from unbiased science.”
An HHS spokesperson stated through e mail that Kennedy “shall be enlisting the whole company to activate a scientific course of to deal with a number of ailments, together with measles, with single or a number of present medicine together with nutritional vitamins and different modalities.”
‘It Will Take Time’
Many MAHA advocates need to see adjustments that embrace altering the childhood vaccine schedule, ending pharmaceutical promoting on tv, performing detailed vaccine security research, and making the outcomes clear.
Bigtree urges persistence.
He factors to the push to ban synthetic dyes from meals for example of early progress in Kennedy’s tenure.
On April 22, the FDA introduced a plan to take away synthetic dyes from the U.S. meals provide.
Officers stated that the federal government is banning two artificial colorings—Citrus Pink No. 2 and Orange B, which may at present be used to paint sizzling canine and sausages—and goes to work with firms to eradicate the opposite dyes by the tip of 2026.
A number of state legislatures have launched payments designed to ban synthetic dyes and different meals components.
In October 2023, the California Legislature banned pink meals dye No. 3. Final August, it additionally handed a measure to take away six different widespread dyes from use at school meals.
Virginia handed an identical measure in March.
“With out the motion, and Bobby changing into secretary of Well being and Human Providers, there would nonetheless be discuss getting chemical compounds out of our meals provide, however that’s all it might be—simply speak,” Bigtree stated.
“This motion retains rising as a result of it’s made up of people who find themselves knowledgeable and engaged. They need to see outcomes they thought they may by no means see of their lifetime.” he stated.
“It’ll take time. Will probably be well worth the time and well worth the effort.”