Elon Musk is entering his anti-vax conspiracy arc on Twitter
It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke – but a renowned medical expert, a comedian, a billionaire and a Kennedy are all embroiled in a bizarre Twitter exchange about covid vaccines stoked by the platform’s owner himself.
The saga has focused on vaccine expert Dr Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, who authored the 2018 book Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism: My Journey as a Vaccine Scientist, Paediatrician, and Autism Dad.
Dr Hotez on Saturday tweeted a link to a Vice article titled “Spotify Has Stopped Even Sort of Trying to Stem Joe Rogan’s Vaccine Misinformation,” which highlighted podcast host and stand-up comedian Joe Rogan’s recent three-hour interview with Robert F Kennedy, Jr. The controversial scion of one of America’s most celebrated political families, who is an outspoken anti-vaxxer, has launched a long-shot 2024 presidential campaign.
Along with the tweeted article, Dr Hotez wrote that “from all the online attacks I’m receiving after this absurd podcast, it’s clear many actually believe this nonsense.”
RFK Jr has a long history of anti-vaccine advocacy which became particularly prominent – and outspoken – during the pandemic. The 69-year-old nephew of President John F Kennedy and son of Robert F Kennedy, both assassinated in the 1960s, has for more than 15 years come under fire from public health experts and even his own family for his controversial beliefs. He announced his candidacy for president earlier this year.
Rogan, who spoke to Mr Kennedy for three hours during his Thursday show, responded to Dr Hotez with a challenge.
“Peter, if you claim what RFKjr is saying is ‘misinformation’ I am offering you $100,000.00 to the charity of your choice if you’re willing to debate him on my show with no time limit,” he tweeted on Saturday.
“Joe, you have my cell, my email, I’m always willing to speak with you,” the vaccine expert, who’d previously been interviewed by Mr Rogan, wrote back – a response deemed a “non answer” by the host.
