RFK Jr. gets into yelling matches with senators about his record

The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle

MS NOW, Stephanie Ruhle

Politics, Versant, Ms Now, Versant Media, Washington, News, President, Policy, Government, Senate, Congress, Msnbc

4.5 • 3.6K Ratings

🗓️ 5 September 2025

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Health Secretary RFK Jr. defends his vaccine policies and CDC firings as he faces tough questions on Capitol Hill from both sides of the aisle. Then, the DOJ opens a criminal probe into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Plus, we hear from former Democratic Senator Jon Tester on what rural America is saying about Trump's tariffs. Peter Baker, Dave Weigel, Jake Lahut, Peter Goodman, Ron Insana, Dr. Tom Frieden, Dr. Michael Osterholm, and former Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) join The 11th Hour this Thursday night.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Tonight, a fiery hearing on the Hill.
0:03.7	RFK Jr. defends his vaccine policies and the CDC shakeup under intense questioning.
0:09.0	Then the Justice Department opens a criminal probe into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook,
0:14.9	what this all means to the Fed's independence.
0:17.7	Plus, beyond the Beltway, with a red state Democrat, former Senator John
0:22.0	Tester, joins us to explain how world America is faring with Trump's tariffs. The 11th hour,
0:27.7	just getting underway on this Thursday night.
0:35.9	We need a big, deep breath tonight. Good evening once again. I am Stephanie Ruhl, and it is day 228 of the second Trump administration. And earlier today, the man Donald Trump pledge could go wild on health, tried, tried to defend his record in a fiery hearing on Capitol Hill. Health and Human Services
0:55.0	Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. got into yelling matches over and over with senators about his
1:01.1	handling of the CDC, his stance on vaccines, and his overall approach to health of the American people.
1:07.4	My colleague Ryan Nobles has a look at all of it today.
1:12.8	Tonight, the grilling.
1:14.7	Sir, you're a Charlotton. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy,
1:17.9	pressed by senators about his controversial shake-up at the CDC.
1:22.1	You're making things up to scare people, and it's a lie.
1:25.9	I don't think, I don't, with respect, I do not think I'm the one making the year.
1:30.8	Kennedy questioned about changes to recommendations for the COVID vaccine.
1:35.0	To say it's only needed for older and high-risk Americans, which a CDC panel will review
1:39.7	within weeks.
1:41.2	This from Republican Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor whose vote was critical to Kennedy's
1:46.2	confirmation. I would say effectively we're denying people vaccine. Democrat Elizabeth Warren,
1:51.3	arguing the new recommendations means some people can no longer get COVID boosters at the pharmacy.
	...

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