MSNBC Host Calls RFK Jr. ‘Crime Against Humanity’ in Heated Rant
Lawrence O’Donnell, host of MSNBC’s The Last Word, has sharply criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr., labeling him a “crime against humanity” during a broadcast on October 5, 2023. O’Donnell’s remarks came after RFK Jr. testified at a Senate Finance Committee hearing, where he faced intense questioning regarding his views on the COVID-19 vaccine.
During the episode, O’Donnell, 73, expressed his disdain for RFK Jr., stating, “No Kennedy has ever trafficked more blatantly and offensively in the dead Kennedys’ memories than Robert F. Kennedy Jr.” He underscored his personal experience, revealing that he had briefly studied alongside RFK Jr. at Harvard University in the mid-1970s. O’Donnell accused RFK Jr. of lacking seriousness in his academic pursuits, claiming, “He did not have one day of his life as a serious student.”
O’Donnell’s criticism extended to RFK Jr.’s qualifications for his role as Health Secretary, alleging that he had not taken the necessary science courses to be competent in the position. “He would not have gotten through one day of a pre-med course,” O’Donnell stated, suggesting that RFK Jr. was appointed due to his family name rather than merit. “He got that job from Donald Trump because of one word: Kennedy,” he added, highlighting the influence of familial legacy in political appointments.
The MSNBC host further criticized former President Donald Trump, describing him as “a lifelong attention addict” who is captivated by the Kennedy legacy. O’Donnell suggested that this fascination resulted in the appointment of what he deemed “the most unqualified and incompetent Health and Human Services Secretary in history.”
O’Donnell’s comments included a pointed critique of RFK Jr.’s stance on vaccines. He claimed, “People are already dying this year in this country from measles because they followed the guidance of the anti-vaccine warrior and madman,” referring to RFK Jr.’s previous statements against COVID-19 vaccines.
In an earlier statement, RFK Jr. had described the COVID vaccines as “a crime against humanity.” O’Donnell seized on this, asserting, “Robert Kennedy Jr. is a crime against humanity.” He emphasized the public health implications of RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine rhetoric, linking it to rising cases of preventable diseases.
O’Donnell’s remarks are not the first instances of his criticism of RFK Jr.’s qualifications and behavior. He previously mentioned their shared time at Harvard, recalling RFK Jr.’s struggles in class. “That uneducated buffoon did not take a single pre-med science course in college,” O’Donnell remarked, adding that RFK Jr. appeared disengaged during lectures.
The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding public health debates, particularly in the context of vaccine skepticism. As discussions about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine efficacy continue, statements from public figures like O’Donnell and RFK Jr. are likely to fuel further discourse on the implications of scientific literacy in health policy.
