Newly obtained emails undermine RFK Jr.“s testimony about 2019 Samoa trip before measles outbreak

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s testimony about a 2019 trip to Samoa before a measles outbreak has been undermined by newly obtained emails. The emails, obtained by The Guardian and The Associated Press, contradict Kennedy's claims that he had not visited Samoa in the months leading up to the outbreak. According to the emails, Kennedy did travel to Samoa in June 2019, where he met with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. The emails also suggest that Kennedy may have been aware of the measles outbreak before it was reported to the public. Kennedy's confirmation hearing for his role as Secretary of Health and Human Services has raised questions about his credibility on health issues. The new information has sparked an investigation into Kennedy's testimony.

Newly revealed emails contradict Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s testimony regarding a 2019 trip to Samoa prior to a measles outbreak. Kennedy stated the trip had "nothing to do with vaccines" during Senate confirmation hearings. However, documents obtained by the Guardian and Associated Press suggest his concerns about vaccine safety motivated the visit. The emails, from US embassy and UN staff, detail how the trip came about and include accounts suggesting a vaccine focus. Samoan officials have stated Kennedy's visit bolstered anti-vaccine activists before the outbreak that killed 83 people. The US Department of State released the emails due to an open records lawsuit. These revelations raise concerns about Kennedy's credibility and his role in shaping health policy, particularly regarding immunization.