RFK Jr Ridiculed for Condemning Trust in Experts as a
US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that "trust the experts" was undemocratic messaging. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. condemned messaging to "trust the experts" in an interview, describing the adage as "a function of totalitarianism and religion," leading to a slew of backlash online.

"Above all, we are going to get rid of the taboos about challenging orthodox[ies]. It's about challenging consensus." Kennedy said in a Thursday interview with Fox News.

"Your whole industry was telling the public for years, 'Trust the experts,'" he continued. "'Trust the experts' is not a function of science or democracy. It's a function of totalitarianism and religion."

The remark, meant to bolster his "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, was immediately mocked and criticized across social media.

"This is actually a dumb f***ing thing to say," wrote one commenter. "Yes, I trust the experts. Government telling you not to trust the experts is totalitarianism."

Other critics pointed out the dangers of dismissing expertise in favor of anti-establishment populism. "Blind trust is never a good idea," an X user said, "but if someone is an expert in something like law, or medicine, or flying a plane, their knowledge and opinions are of a lot of value."

The same user, along with others, drew parallels between Kennedy's rhetoric and the manipulation tactics of authoritarian regimes. "It's primarily a totalitarian authoritarian move to discredit experts, so people can be manipulated with false information," they added.

Others noted the irony in Kennedy accusing science of resembling religion, while amassing a fiercely loyal following. "Totalitarianism is achieved when a group of folks refuse to [vaccinate], or decide to drink raw milk... because they 'follow' you," a user accused. "There is no 'questioning' going on."

"It's not about trust, all the research is there for all to see and examine," argued another.

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