
RFK Jr Declares 'Stop Trusting Experts' as He Pledges AI Revamp for HHS: 'You Can Do Drug Approvals Quickly With AI'
Speaking on "The Tucker Carlson Show" on Monday, Kennedy said he is leading an "AI revolution" within the Department of Health and Human Services, enlisting tech talent from Silicon Valley to overhaul outdated systems like the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
His goal, he explained, is to automate and streamline processes like drug approvals without relying on animal testing, arguing that AI tools can achieve results "very, very quickly."
"We are at the cutting edge of AI," Kennedy said. "We're implementing it in all of our departments. At FDA, we're accelerating drug approvals so that you don't need to use primates or even animal models. You can do the drug approvals very, very quickly with AI."
Kennedy's remarks included sweeping criticisms of the scientific establishment, including the assertion that trusting public health experts is "not a feature of science," but instead akin to "totalitarianism." He claimed that Americans were wrongly discouraged from conducting their own COVID-19 research, adding, "We need to stop trusting the experts, right?"
While Kennedy did not specify which AI systems would be used for drug approvals, he suggested the agency would move away from traditional clinical models in favor of simulated testing.
During the interview, he repeated misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccine trials, suggested former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci should face legal consequences and called for a national "truth commission" to investigate the government's pandemic response.
While Kennedy says the agency is actively recruiting engineers and data scientists for his AI initiative, he has yet to announce any formal rule changes or provide technical guidance for how AI would meet existing regulatory standards.
Originally published on Latin Times
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Int'l Business Times
5 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Medical Groups Sue US Health Secretary Over Covid-19 Vaccine Change
Several leading medical groups filed suit against US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday, accusing him of endangering public health with new Covid-19 vaccine recommendations. At the end of May, Kennedy announced via social media that federal authorities would no longer recommend Covid-19 vaccines for children and pregnant women, resulting in blowback from health experts. In the lawsuit, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Physicians (ACP) and other leading medical groups are calling on the court to stop Kennedy's "unilateral, unscientific" directive and restore the Covid-19 vaccine to immunization schedules. "It is really unconscionable to take away a parent's ability and choice to protect their children through vaccination," said Tina Tan, a pediatrician and president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, one of the plaintiffs. Since taking office, Kennedy -- who spent decades spreading vaccine misinformation before becoming President Donald Trump's top health official -- has worked to overhaul American vaccination policies. In June, he fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and appointed his own panelists, under the banner of "Make America Healthy Again." Monday's complaint also highlighted the controversial new appointees to ACIP. "We are on a dangerous path," warned Susan Kressly of the AAP, denouncing what she described as misinformation spread by Kennedy while citing the concerns of her peers and parents of patients. "Pediatricians cannot stay silent as the system we rely on to support life-saving vaccines is chiseled away piece by piece, with Secretary Kennedy leading efforts to sow doubt and distrust in the American success story of vaccines," Kressly said. The problem isn't limited to parents and children, as misinformation about vaccines undermines a long-standing trust between doctor and patient. Increasingly, medical professionals are finding that adult patients are "hesitant to get their vaccines. They are not trusting the system anymore," said Jason Goldman, president of the ACP. The issue of vaccines extends beyond Covid-19 in the US. Johns Hopkins University released a count Monday finding the US has recorded its worst measles epidemic in more than 30 years, with 1,277 cases confirmed since the beginning of 2025, and illness recorded in 40 of 50 states. The total US figure is the highest since 1992. The joint complaint was filed in Massachusetts, a northeastern US state. Federal health officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.


Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Int'l Business Times
Elon Musk Receives Barrage of Questions on Guns, Tax Cuts, and Abortion After Declaring 'America Party' Formed
Billionaire entrepreneur and recent MAGA deserter Elon Musk proclaimed that his new political party—the America Party—is now formed, prompting a barrage of questions about the party's platform. "By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!" Musk posted on X. "Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom." Musk's announcement followed an Independence Day poll on his social media platform where 65.4% of respondents voted in favor of the party's creation. Social media users responded by pressing Musk on the new party's positions on guns, abortion, immigration, healthcare, military spending, and tax cuts. What's the new party's postion on guns and abortions? — unseen1 (@unseen1_unseen) July 5, 2025 Conservative commentator Dana Loesch asked if the party would defend the Second Amendment "as the Founders intended," while others grilled Musk on whether the party would reverse recent tax cuts, restore funding for social programs, or support policies like the carbon tax or universal healthcare. Some also questioned if the party would embrace controversial stances on immigration, including expanding H-1B visas, and where it stood on hot-button cultural issues like ending child gender transition or abortion access. Many referenced Musk's work with DOGE. "Is this new American Party going to undo the massive firings, push-outs, and buy-outs you did under DOGE costing the jobs of thousands of Americans?" a user asked. What's your position on the current $1 trillion military budget, and why didn't DOGE follow through on your pledge to audit the Pentagon? — Michael Tracey (@mtracey) July 5, 2025 At this time, Musk has yet to offer any official outline specifying the party's priorities, and left the majority of questions below his announcement unanswered. But hints at party policy could be found elsewhere on X. Tech investor Tyler Palmer guessed at the America Party's platform in response to another post from Musk, naming debt reduction, military modernization, AI tech acceleration, limiting energy regulation, free speech and pro-natalism. "Is this the America Party platform?" Palmer asked. Musk confirmed with a one word reply: "Yeah!" In a post listing the same items, Tesla Owners Silicon Valley said the list represented the America Party's focuses, asking "Are you down for this?" Musk shared the post to his timeline, suggested his endorsement. Musk first posed the idea of a new party amid a public falling out with President Donald Trump over the "Big Beautiful Bill" legislation. Musk railed against the sweeping legislation for adding trillions to the national debt, which soon deteriorated into both men launching increasingly personal attacks on their respective social media platforms. The so-called "breakup" has been uncomfortable for voters who support both men. A majority of the responses to Musk's new venture cautioned against splitting the anti-Democrat vote, drawing parallels to Ross Perot's Reform Party run in the 1992 election, which ended in a win for former President Bill Clinton. "The more you start explaining its specific positions, the more people you're going to lose," one user warned. "Next thing you know, Democrats win 43%, Republicans 37%, America Party 19%." "I'm vehemently opposed to the creation of a third party!" another user wrote in a lengthy explanatory post. Acknowledging support for both President Trump and Elon Musk, they added their hope that "both 'dads' can come to an agreement and work together for a successful 2026 midterm election." Musk offered no direct response to those concerns either. The closest he came was writing, "The replies to this announcement are comedy gold." The replies to this announcement are comedy gold 🤣🤣 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2025 Originally published on Latin Times Elon musk Donald trump Elections


Int'l Business Times
3 days ago
- Int'l Business Times
US Readies New Tariffs While July 4 Costs Surge For Families And Firms
As Americans fire up their grills and gather for fireworks this Independence Day, a new economic flashpoint looms: a fresh wave of tariffs that could take effect in less than a month. With official notifications expected to go out as early as July 5, concerns are mounting over how the rising cost of imports may impact small businesses and everyday consumers. The tariff strategy—announced by former President Donald Trump—is expected to impose levies ranging from 10% to 70% on goods from countries without existing bilateral trade deals. These measures could be implemented by Aug. 1, according to CBS News. The move marks the expiration of a 90-day pause following April's unilateral tariff threats. Fireworks Industry Feels the Fuse Burning For an industry synonymous with July 4, the fireworks business is in a bind. Roughly 95% of consumer fireworks are imported from China, and importers say recent tariff policy changes have created serious disruptions in supply and pricing. "We're seeing costs that have doubled in some categories over the last three years," said Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, in an interview with CBS News. Retailers are reporting higher costs per container, which have not fully stabilized since earlier tariff rounds that peaked at 145%. As reported by Business Insider, wholesalers like Indiana-based distributor Bob Hamilton said he secured extra inventory early, but warns that "margins are being eaten alive" by unpredictable import costs. The Cookout Crunch: Families Paying More for Fourth of July Basics This year's holiday cookouts are also costing more. According to Axios, the average cost of July 4 cookout staples—like beef, buns, soda, and condiments—has jumped 12.7% year-over-year. Items like hamburger meat and ice cream are among the steepest climbers, as import-linked ingredients and packaging materials face cost pressure. An Axios/Ipsos poll found 32% of Americans are opting for cheaper food options—like pizza or store-brand hot dogs—rather than hosting traditional barbecues. Economist Natalie Ortega of the National Retail Federation told Axios the inflation isn't isolated: "It's not just food—it's grills, folding chairs, decorations. Tariffs are driving up the cost of celebration." Small Businesses Caught in the Middle For small businesses, especially those relying on international supply chains, the pressure is mounting. According to a recent CBS MoneyWatch report, more than 30% of small firms say they've raised prices due to tariff-related costs, while others fear closure if current trade uncertainty continues. Shayai Lucero, owner of Earth & Sky Floral Designs in New Mexico, described her struggle to keep costs manageable. "Roses that used to cost under a dollar are now close to $2.50," she told CBS News. "We can't eat those costs forever." Trade groups have echoed these concerns. In comments cited by Financial Times, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned that business sentiment could weaken further if tariff escalation continues without diplomatic resolution. A Political Playbook or Economic Gamble? While the administration frames the move as reclaiming "economic independence," analysts are skeptical. Julia Sutherland, a policy analyst at the Brookings Institution, told CBS News that "tariffs are regressive taxes. They hit working families long before they touch corporations." Further analysis from Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan suggests the U.S. tariff burden is climbing toward 13%—levels not seen since the pre-WWII Smoot-Hawley era. Experts caution this could raise consumer prices into Q3 and chill capital expenditure among small manufacturers. What to Watch Next July 5: Official tariff letters expected to go out to U.S. trade partners. July 9: Deadline for the 90-day tariff pause to expire. August 1: Full implementation of new tariffs anticipated. Global reactions could follow. India has floated WTO action, while the EU and China are weighing possible retaliatory tariffs. Meanwhile, U.S. families are adjusting to holiday inflation. As noted by AP News, even sales of essentials like soft drinks and paper goods have dipped in lower-income households, which are disproportionately affected by price volatility. Final Thought While July 4 remains a day to celebrate American independence, 2025's edition offers a deeper reflection: What does economic independence mean when it comes at a rising cost to small businesses and families? As the country watches fireworks, many on Main Street are watching price tags—and wondering what the rest of the summer will bring.