logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
20m 2s

The anti-vax candidate?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

In 2024 yet another Kennedy is making a bid for the White House. Robert F Kennedy Jr - nephew of the late President John F Kennedy - is enjoying strong polling numbers for an independent candidate. He’s running on a platform of promising to take on powerful vested interests to create a better life for the average American.

But away from his Camelot-infused stump speeches, he is facing questions about his long and controversial record of spreading misinformation about the safety of vaccines.

In this episode, the BBC’s Health and Disinformation Reporter Rachel Schraer investigates how Kennedy is building a base from across the political spectrum, inspite of, or because of, his views on public health policy.

Up next
Jun 2024
Trending is moving to the Documentary Podcast
BBC Trending's podcast feed is closing, but we'll be publishing new episodes in the BBC World Service's Documentary Podcast from now on. Search for The Documentary wherever you get your BBC podcasts, and subscribe to get new episodes of BBC Trending along with a range of exciting ... Show More
43s
Jun 2024
Colombia’s guerrilla recruitment video problem
Fighters from dissident armed groups in Colombia are using TikTok to glorify their lives as guerrillas and recruit youngsters.These armed groups didn't like the terms of a peace treaty negotiated between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the government in 2016 ... Show More
18m 6s
Jun 2024
The Kenyan influencer championing climate denial
Jusper Machogu is a farmer from southwestern Kenya who describes himself as a “climate sceptic”: he wrongly claims that climate change is a “scam” or a “hoax” designed to hold Africa back. On social media, he has also become known as a staunch defender of fossil fuel exploration ... Show More
18m 7s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Is He The Last Real Democrat? | Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
RFK Jr. is making waves as a candidate in the current presidential race, first as a Democrat and now as an Independent. Born into the Kennedy dynasty, his early life was marked by personal and family tragedies, including the assassinations of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, ... Show More
1h 36m
Dec 2020
Pres. Trump gambling with dollars and lives
The House of Representatives passes a bill with larger relief checks for coronavirus relief pushed by Pres. Trump, which the Senate has previously opposed. Rep. Adam Kinzinger speaks out about the divisive and unpredictable politics right now in Congress. Also, Democratic candida ... Show More
44m 52s
Nov 2020
What’s wrong with polling?
Campaign strategists and the public were led to believe that Democrats were headed for a wave. Election results have told a different story, just as they did four years ago. And, the next steps for a promising coronavirus vaccine. Read more: Polls fell short again in 2020. Politi ... Show More
20m 46s
Dec 2020
CDC: Nearly 2.8 million Covid-19 vaccine doses administered
The CDC says nearly 2.8 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administrated despite Operation Warp Speed’s goal of 20 million by the end of the year. The White House coronavirus testing czar admits “we need to be doing a better job” with the vaccine rollout. Olivia Troye is a ... Show More
45m 12s
Jan 2021
WH Adviser: Trump’s call to Georgia Secretary of State was “crazy” and a “mistake”
A top Georgia election official methodically shot down a list of election conspiracy theories Pres. Trump aired in a phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. In the one-hour call Trump is heard pressuring Raffensperger, who is also a Republican, to “find” vo ... Show More
44m 48s
Nov 2020
Pres. Trump threatens to deny New York a vaccine
Pres. Trump threated to deny New Yorkers a vaccine in his first public appearance since losing the election and with more than 244,000 Covid-19 deaths in the U.S. Trump said the federal government won’t deliver a possible vaccine to New York until Gov. Cuomo lets the administrati ... Show More
48m 55s
Oct 2023
The Spoiler Threat of R.F.K. Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was once dismissed as a fringe figure in the 2024 presidential race. But this week, as he announces an independent run for the White House, he’s striking fear within both the Democratic and Republican parties.Rebecca Davis O’Brien, who covers campaign financ ... Show More
29m 36s
Jun 2024
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Uncensored
He’s a Kennedy. A conspiracist. And the insurgent, independent candidate for President of the United States.RFK Junior has shaken up the race for the White House; powered by younger voters and a canny media plan that favours podcasts over press conferences.Both the Biden and Trum ... Show More
1 h
Sep 2020
Three Trump advisers: Atlantic story losing punch unless sources go public with allegations
President Trump is back on the campaign trail days after the bombshell Atlantic report claiming he disparaged the military. In several conversations since the story was published, Trump has adamantly denied the comments and bragged about what he’s done for the military. Democrati ... Show More
44m 44s
Dec 2020
All 50 states and D.C. certify presidential election results
All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have certified their presidential election results despite Pres. Trump asking the Supreme Court to block millions of votes from four battleground states that voted for President-elect Biden. The Texas Attorney General filed the lawsuit looking t ... Show More
48m 59s