Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. erupted on CNN Sunday morning as anchor Dana Bash grilled him on an ongoing measles outbreak and his anti-vaccination rhetoric.
Kennedy roared that Bash was “flustered” and “talking nonsense” as he issued sputtering responses to her questions about scientific data and misinformation.
“You are saying nonsense!” Kennedy roared. “You’re making assertions you can’t support and when I call you on them, you tell me I’m arguing with you!”
“You want talk about assertions you can’t support?” Bash snapped back. “I’ll get there in a second.”
Bash tried to get Kennedy to explain the scientific backing for his famously anti-vaccination stance that she argued endangered and cost American lives.
Kennedy frequently took advantage of Bash’s pauses to demand she provide him with sources as the CNN host tried to engage in what she described as a “productive” conversation.
“Let me finish!” Bash was forced to cry out.
Bash asked Kennedy to explain why U.S. measles cases have peaked to a record-breaking 2,371 despite the existence of a vaccine.
“The outbreak has happened on your watch,” she said. “Do you accept some responsibility?”
“Absolutely not,” Kennedy replied. Then he leaned in and snarled, “We’re doing better at handling it than anyone in the world.”
Again, Bash demanded to know if he felt responsible for children becoming sick as he spread misinformation about preventative care.
“They’re hearing you say it could cause autism,” said Bash.
Kennedy then demanded the CNN host personally show him studies on the first eight vaccines in the first six months of life — and claimed she couldn’t.
That’s when Bash got Kennedy in a corner.
“So if that’s the case,” replied Bash, “Why are you telling people to get the measles vaccine?”
After more bluster, Kennedy looked to Bash and said, “I know you’re flustered.”
“I’m not flustered,” Bash replied. “I am frustrated.”
Watch the full interview below.