Oh, this is just chef’s kiss—pure political theater at its finest. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. walks into a Senate committee hearing, ready to discuss his nomination for Health and Human Services Secretary, and instead of a serious conversation about healthcare policy, we get Bernie Sanders having an existential meltdown over anti-vax baby onesies. You can’t make this stuff up.
Now, we all knew what was coming. When Kennedy sat before the Senate Finance Committee the day before, Sanders had already gone on one of his signature tirades, waving his arms around like a man trying to swat invisible flies while demanding that Kennedy affirm that healthcare is a “human right.” But Thursday? Oh, Thursday was even better because Sanders had another round to grandstand, and boy, did he take full advantage.
Here’s the thing: Bernie loves to talk about corruption. He rails against it constantly. But when Kennedy dared to point out that Congress itself is just as much a part of the problem as the agencies they claim to oversee, well, that was a step too far. Kennedy pulled the curtain back and exposed the inconvenient truth—many of these same senators shrieking about “public health” are raking in millions from the very industry they claim to regulate.
Case in point: Sanders. The self-proclaimed champion of the working class, the grassroots donation hero, the guy who pretends to fund his campaigns with nothing but spare change from college kids and union workers. Turns out, he’s pocketed nearly $2 million from the pharmaceutical industry over his career. Yep, Mr. “Medicare for All” is deep in the pockets of Big Pharma. You can’t make this stuff up.
🚨RFK Jr. calls out Bernie Sanders direct to his face! 🔥
“Bernie, you have accepted millions of dollars from the Pharmaceutical industry. In 2020 you were the single largest receiver of Pharmaceutical dollars. $1.5M”
The crowd erupts in applause! LFG!!pic.twitter.com/ylQezDqyyY
— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) January 30, 2025
And he’s not alone. Oh no, not by a long shot. Take Senator Raphael Warnock, who rants about RFK Jr.’s “conspiracy theories” while quietly collecting a cool $1.76 million from pharma donors. Or Senator Patty Murray, who’s so concerned about Kennedy’s “dangerous views” but has taken over $1.6 million from the same industry. When she’s not looking down her nose at RFK Jr., she’s cashing checks from pharmaceutical execs faster than a Vegas blackjack dealer.
And let’s be clear: Murray doesn’t want Kennedy confirmed because of “public safety” concerns. No, no, no. It’s about protecting the cash flow. The numbers don’t lie. Over $667,000 from health professionals, $513,000 from Big Pharma, $312,000 from insurance companies, $198,000 from HMOs. But sure, let’s all pretend she’s just looking out for the American people.
This is why voters are fed up. This is why trust in government is circling the drain. Because no matter how loud these senators yell about “public health,” at the end of the day, it’s about who signs their checks.
And if you think this is just a Democrat problem, think again. There are plenty of Republicans cozying up to the pharmaceutical lobby, too—because this isn’t about party affiliation. It’s about power. It’s about the status quo. It’s about keeping the American people sick and dependent while making sure the right people keep getting paid.
Dr. Casey Means hit the nail on the head in her viral post about this whole charade. No one can even name most of the past HHS secretaries because they were all unremarkable bureaucrats who played along with the system. But RFK Jr.? Oh, he’s a problem. Not because he’s a “danger to public health” but because he’s a danger to corporate interests.
That’s the real reason for all the screaming and pearl-clutching in the Senate. Not because Kennedy is some wild-eyed conspiracy theorist but because he’s pulling back the curtain on the swamp. And guess what? The American people see it, too.
So, Washington, take notes. Patty Murray is up for re-election in two years. Voters, start planning now. Because if there’s one thing we shouldn’t tolerate, it’s politicians who sell us out to their corporate donors while pretending to fight for the “little guy.” It’s time to clean house.