In a concerning (baffling? Has he been hacked?) move, Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently embraced Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known anti-vaxxer and proponent of anti-science conspiracy theories, in anticipation of his potential role in the Department of Health and Human Services under Donald Trump. Kennedy, notorious for spreading harmful misinformation about vaccines, endangers public health standards that protect our communities, especially children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people.
This endorsement by Governor Polis isn’t just disappointing — it’s dangerous.
RFK Jr. has long been one of the loudest voices in the anti-vaccine movement, spreading discredited theories that have directly undermined public trust in life-saving vaccines. His rhetoric goes beyond skepticism — it actively discourages parents from protecting their children against preventable diseases. RFK Jr.’s claims have been widely debunked by scientists and public health experts, yet his influence has emboldened a dangerous movement that puts everyone’s health at risk. During the COVID-19 pandemic, RFK Jr. took his crusade to new levels, falsely claiming that the vaccines were unsafe and pushing unproven alternatives despite overwhelming evidence from health authorities and scientists about their efficacy. His misinformation fueled vaccine hesitancy, contributing to slower immunization rates and prolonging the pandemic, leading to preventable hospitalizations and deaths.
By praising RFK Jr., Governor Polis is normalizing anti-vaccine rhetoric and empowering conspiracy theories that have led to actual harm. At a time when leaders should be pushing back against Trump’s extreme agenda, Governor Polis is lending credibility to one of Trump’s most dangerous allies. As RFK Jr. has repeatedly undermined scientific consensus on vaccines and health, his influence within HHS could roll back years of public health progress and put lives at risk. The stakes are high: Promoting someone with a history of vaccine misinformation signals a disregard for the health and safety of Coloradans and undermines trust in essential health protections.
Polis’ endorsement is dangerous for another reason: He is creating a permission structure for other Democrats to support Trump 2.0 under the mantle of reasonable-sounding bipartisanship. Polis is a national leader — just this week, with great fanfare, he launched a “pro-democracy” effort with fellow Democratic governors. Coming out as an apologist for some of the most offensive parts of Trump 2.0 undermines what we need for a unified Democratic response to Trump’s MAGA agenda. Put simply, RFK Jr. is an unstable grifter — and Dems giving cover to Donald Trump or his people is actively unhelpful.
