HHS Secretary Kennedy Launching Podcast to 'Expose Lies'

New show aims to bring 'radical transparency' and 'Make America Healthy Again' message to wider audience.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:38pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image of a human brain, with glowing neural pathways and structures, conceptually representing the intimate, revealing nature of the new government health podcast.An intimate, revealing look at the inner workings of the mind behind the government's new health messaging strategy.NYC Today

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is launching a new podcast called 'The Secretary Kennedy Podcast' that he says will begin 'a new era of radical transparency in government.' The show, set to debut next week, will feature Kennedy in conversation with doctors, scientists and agency staff as he aims to 'name the names of the forces that obstruct the paths to public health.' Administration officials say the podcast is part of a broader strategy to spread Kennedy's views on chronic disease and improving health to a wider audience.

Why it matters

Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine crusader, has reshaped the country's health policy since joining the Trump administration last year. The new podcast could further elevate his controversial ideas, which often contradict the overwhelming consensus of scientists. The show is also seen as part of a broader rebranding strategy for the Department of Health and Human Services as it faces recent setbacks, including criticism of its vaccine policy changes.

The details

The nearly 90-second teaser video for 'The Secretary Kennedy Podcast' shows Kennedy in a slick HHS-branded studio with ominous music playing in the background. He bills the show as a new way to expose 'corruption and lies that have made Americans sick.' HHS officials say the podcast will help spread Kennedy's 'Make America Healthy Again' message to a wider audience and cover topics like affordability and food quality that they believe are salient for voters ahead of the midterm elections.

  • The podcast is set to launch next week.
  • Kennedy joined the Trump administration last year.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The U.S. Health Secretary and a longtime anti-vaccine crusader who has reshaped the country's health policy.

Liam Nahill

The HHS digital director who says the podcast is part of a larger strategy to bring the 'Make America Healthy Again' message to a wide audience.

Tyler Burger

The HHS digital communications manager and producer of the new podcast, who says it will be the first podcast hosted by a sitting cabinet secretary.

Marty Makary

The Food and Drug Administration Commissioner who also has a podcast.

Melina Much

A postdoctoral fellow for New York University's Center for Social Media and Politics who says podcasts tend to be more intimate and friendly than traditional interviews, allowing administration officials to promote themselves without facing as much pushback.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to name the names of the forces that obstruct the paths to public health.”

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health Secretary

“This is part of our larger strategy to bring the Make America Healthy Again message to as wide an audience as we can.”

— Liam Nahill, HHS Digital Director

“We're kind of bringing podcasting into the government as an official form and arm of our messaging.”

— Tyler Burger, HHS Digital Communications Manager

“Podcasts also tend to be more intimate, conversational and friendly than a traditional interview, allowing administration officials to promote themselves without facing as much pushback.”

— Melina Much, Postdoctoral Fellow, NYU Center for Social Media and Politics

What’s next

The podcast is set to launch next week.

The takeaway

The launch of 'The Secretary Kennedy Podcast' reflects the administration's efforts to amplify Kennedy's controversial views on health policy, which often contradict scientific consensus, through a more intimate and friendly media format. This move is seen as part of a broader rebranding strategy for the Department of Health and Human Services as it faces recent setbacks and looks to shift focus ahead of the midterm elections.