How Surging Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Introduced Anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan to the Anti-Vaxx Movement

Robert Kennedy Jr. and Louis Farrakhan: An Unlikely Alliance

Robert Kennedy Jr. has gained significant support from the Democratic party since announcing his run for president. However, his long-standing alliance with notorious anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan has raised eyebrows. Farrakhan credits Kennedy with introducing him to anti-vaccine theories, and the two have cosponsored events and promoted each other’s work.

The Kennedy-Farrakhan Courtship

• In 2015, Kennedy visited Farrakhan to discuss the measles vaccine, which Farrakhan claimed was “designed” to harm black males.
• Kennedy has cosponsored events with the Nation of Islam and praised Farrakhan as a “truly great partner” in the “battle” to publicize the autism theory.
• Kennedy debuted his documentary Medical Racism: The New Apartheid at a Nation of Islam conference in 2021, winning praise from Farrakhan.

Despite researchers disputing Kennedy’s claims about the measles vaccine, he and Farrakhan continue to promote anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. Farrakhan has a history of praising Adolf Hitler, comparing Jews to “termites,” and maintaining a massive following through the Nation of Islam.

Democratic Support for Kennedy

Despite his controversial alliance with Farrakhan, Kennedy has gained support from 19% of Democratic voters, according to a Fox News poll. This could cut against the party’s efforts to portray the Republican base as anti-science bigots. While President Joe Biden is still the heavy favorite, Kennedy’s surprisingly strong numbers show that a sizable chunk of Democratic voters are open to supporting a candidate who has pushed anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.

Farrakhan’s Influence in Democratic Politics

Kennedy is not the only prominent liberal to find common cause with Farrakhan, and the minister is not a pariah in Democratic politics. Former President Barack Obama managed to suppress a picture of himself engaged in a “warm conversation” with Farrakhan. The British boy band Coldplay even dedicated a song to the anti-Semitic preacher.

Despite the controversy surrounding their alliance, Kennedy and Farrakhan have not commented on the matter.