Top 7 moments from RFK Jr.'s contentious Capitol Hill hearing

By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter Sunday, September 07, 2025

5. Clash with Sen. Bernie Sanders: 'I don't even know what you're talking about'

Kennedy also butted heads with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who ended up claiming that all of his Republican colleagues have taken money from the pharmaceutical industry.

"Everybody is corrupt but you?"

Sen. Bernie Sanders took aim at RFK Jr.'s statements casting doubt on the integrity of major medical organizations. Kennedy argued they've been corrupted by the pharmaceutical industry. https://t.co/0sWdbbdgCMpic.twitter.com/5iDroGiMMm

— ABC News (@ABC) September 4, 2025

Sanders, who penned an op-ed in The New York Times last week calling for Kennedy's resignation, pressed Kennedy about vaccine efficacy and criticism he has fielded from medical organizations, which Kennedy suggested have been corrupted.

"There's a big difference, senator, between established science and the scientific establishment, which has been co-opted by the pharmaceutical industry," Kennedy said as Sanders cut him off.

Sanders went on to suggest Kennedy was hypocritical for asserting politicians have been corrupted by pharmaceutical interests, and claimed, "Every single Republican — I don't mean to be political here, Mr. Chairman — has received PAC money from the pharmaceutical industry."

"I don't even know what you're talking about," Kennedy told Sanders in response to the senator's assertion that his presidential campaign was funded by donors with Big Pharma ties, which Kennedy adamantly denied.

"Are you saying the pharmaceutical industry was supporting my presidential campaign? I don't think so," Kennedy said.