Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure as Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary has resulted in less patient choice and more bureaucratic barriers to health care. It’s no surprise that a new poll commissioned by the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) shows that a majority of Americans are fed up with his leadership. The survey confirms what many conservatives have feared: Secretary Kennedy’s actions are deeply unpopular. The HHS head is broadly distrusted by the public and risks putting President Donald Trump’s America First agenda — and the well-being of all Americans — at real risk. It’s time for new leadership and a new approach at HHS.
TPA’s survey finds that 50% of Americans disapprove of Secretary Kennedy’s job performance. Even more alarming, only 29% of Americans trust Secretary Kennedy to make decisions that support Americans’ health. Given the chaotic and destructive nature of recent HHS decisions, these striking findings are not unexpected. Secretary Kennedy has supported policies making it more difficult to get vaccines without a prescription, upending the previous status quo of patients having ready access at the pharmacy. Meanwhile, Kennedy-supported officials at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have tried stopping critical medications from reaching patients and denied perfectly safe drugs already approved in other countries.
But what should really concern Republicans is that Kennedy has several lesser-known liabilities that threaten to further alienate the public and undermine President Trump’s agenda.
According to TPA’s polling, 72% of Americans surveyed were unaware that Kennedy received more than $800,000 in legal awards in 2024 from his involvement in litigation against vaccine makers. An astounding 78% of those surveyed were unaware that Secretary Kennedy has an ongoing financial relationship with the Wisner Baum law firm, with his son collecting referral fees relating to litigation against pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, Kennedy is still collecting fees provided that the U.S. is not a party to litigation nor has a “direct and substantial interest,” opening the door to all sorts of loopholes. It’s deeply concerning that Kennedy is eroding decades of public health best practices by working to dismantle the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program when he stands to benefit financially from related litigation.
The reality is that Secretary Kennedy is deeply unpopular with the American public and is largely distrusted due to these conflicts of interest. After learning of these biases, 58% of survey respondents said they do not trust Kennedy to lead the nation’s health infrastructure. And 59% of respondents said it was unethical for him to be the HHS secretary, compared with 25% who disagreed.
During Kennedy’s confirmation hearings, he steadfastly committed to “radical transparency,” but his underreported conflicts of interest and continued ties to the trial bar undermine that promise. These ties — especially to a traditionally Democratic donor base — pose significant political issues for President Trump. The last thing that the chief executive wants or needs is to be tethered to deeply unpopular policies pursued by an unpopular, deeply compromised HHS secretary. Recall Trump’s similar pledge for a transparent and accountable administration.
The more the public learns of Secretary Kennedy and what is motivating his decision-making, the more negatively Americans view his leadership at the HHS.
There is a profound crisis of confidence in Kennedy’s leadership. His actions have actively endangered Americans and betray a lack of trust in their ability to choose their health care as they see fit. As more Americans become aware of his failed policies and shady connections, skepticism toward Kennedy will only grow, particularly among Republican voters.
To maintain trust in his administration and preserve his legacy, President Trump must act quickly. Trump must make clear that his administration stands for patient choice and will not tolerate flagrant conflicts of interest. Americans should be able to trust their leaders to do what is right.
David Williams is the president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
