HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is once again challenging the status quo—this time aiming at the medical publishing establishment, he says, has been captured by Big Pharma. On a recent episode of the “Ultimate Human” podcast, Kennedy called out The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and JAMA as “corrupt” and accused them of pushing studies bankrolled by drug companies rather than science that truly serves public health.
“Unless those journals change dramatically,” Kennedy warned, “we’re going to stop NIH scientists from publishing in them—and we’ll launch our own journals that serve people, not profits.”
Kennedy’s bold stance reflects a broader effort to unshackle science from pharmaceutical influence. Just days ago, he spearheaded a White House report exposing the explosion of chronic disease in children—and tied it to overprescription and silenced researchers. His message is clear: the health of future generations can’t be left in the hands of conflicted gatekeepers.
He’s not alone. Former editors of the very journals in question—Marcia Angell (New England Journal of Medicine) and Richard Horton (The Lancet)—have publicly acknowledged that modern medical publishing is riddled with bias and financial conflicts. Kennedy is simply doing what they wouldn’t: acting on that knowledge.
Critics may say he’s overstepping. But to millions of Americans tired of corporate interests controlling the narrative, Kennedy’s move signals courage. He’s not afraid to ruffle feathers if it means protecting academic freedom and public health.
As RFK Jr. continues to challenge entrenched power, one thing is certain: he’s forcing long-overdue conversations—and daring to put integrity back at the heart of science.
