Washington, D.C. – CNN host Kaitlan Collins was visibly stunned during a Thursday night interview on her show The Source when Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a former CDC official and infectious disease expert, accused HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of “lying” to Congress during a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing.
Daskalakis, who resigned in protest over Kennedy’s leadership, alleged the secretary made false claims about vaccine research and CDC briefings, prompting sharp reactions from Collins and intensifying calls from some Republicans for Kennedy’s removal from his post.
Explosive Allegations on Vaccine Claims
The interview centered on Kennedy’s testimony before the Senate Finance Committee, where experts say he repeated multiple debunked claims about vaccines, drawing scrutiny from public health advocates and lawmakers alike.
Daskalakis, the former director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, took aim at Kennedy’s assertions, particularly his statements about CDC research and interactions with former CDC Director Susan Monarez, whom Kennedy fired in August.
“The head of the health agency for the United States is actively standing before Congress and making things up,” Daskalakis declared. “He did not tell the truth.” Collins, visibly taken aback, pressed for clarity, asking, “So, you’re saying he lied to Congress?” Daskalakis responded unequivocally, “Yes, he lied to Congress,” eliciting a stunned “Wow” from the host.
Disputes Over CDC Briefings
Daskalakis further challenged Kennedy’s claim that he had been briefed by the CDC’s immunization group. “He was never briefed by anyone in the immunization group,” Daskalakis stated, contradicting the secretary’s testimony. Collins probed deeper, referencing Kennedy’s mention of receiving information from William Thompson, a name cited during the hearing.
“He says he’s being briefed by William Thompson, is one name, and you’re saying this person is not an expert on immunizations?” Collins asked. Daskalakis clarified, “He is not a part of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and he’s not a spokesperson for [the center’s] content area. So, if he’s getting his information from that individual, I am not sure how that person could have briefed him on material that they have no handle on.”
The exchange highlighted concerns about the credibility of Kennedy’s sources and his handling of public health policy, particularly given his history of promoting vaccine skepticism, which has alarmed experts and prompted resignations from top CDC officials, including Daskalakis, Debra Houry and Daniel Jernigan.
The Public Health Fallout That Follows
Kennedy’s Senate testimony has drawn bipartisan criticism, with some Republicans joining Democrats in calling for him to be removed from office due to his dissemination of vaccine misinformation.
The controversy follows a tumultuous period at the CDC, marked by the abrupt dismissal of Director Susan Monarez, whom Kennedy had initially praised as a “tech genius” before clashing with her over vaccine policy. Monarez’s legal team has accused Kennedy of “weaponizing public health for political gain,” a sentiment echoed by Daskalakis and other former officials.
The accusations come at a critical time, as public trust in health institutions remains fragile amid recent debates over vaccine mandates and public health strategies. Kennedy’s leadership has been further scrutinized for his replacement of Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices members with individuals known for anti-vaccine views, raising fears about the erosion of evidence-based policy.
Why It Matters
Daskalakis’s blunt allegations on CNN have reverberated across political and media circles, with X posts amplifying the clip and sparking heated debate. Supporters of Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic, defend his critiques of the CDC, while critics argue his actions undermine public health.
The Senate Finance Committee has yet to announce further hearings, but pressure is mounting for accountability, with some lawmakers citing Daskalakis’s statements as evidence of misconduct.
Collins’s stunned reaction showed the gravity of the moment, as the interview laid bare tensions between the HHS and former CDC officials. Daskalakis, who resigned alongside colleagues in a dramatic walkout from the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters, warned that Kennedy’s leadership risks long-term harm to public health infrastructure, a concern shared by other departing scientists.
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What Next?
As the fallout from Kennedy’s testimony grows, the Trump administration faces calls to address the leadership crisis at HHS. The Senate may consider further inquiries into Kennedy’s conduct, while public health advocates push for reforms to restore trust in the CDC.
Daskalakis’s accusations, delivered on a national platform, have intensified scrutiny of Kennedy’s tenure and raised questions about the intersection of politics and science in shaping America’s health policy.
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