RFK Jr. Shreds Bill Maher Over COVID Vaccine Claims — Audience Erupts in Applause

The debate over COVID vaccines has always been about more than medicine — it’s been about trust, authority, and whether Americans should take the word of bureaucrats and pharmaceutical giants at face value.

In April 2024 — months before joining now-President Donald Trump’s administration — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is currently serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services, took that fight directly onto HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

At the time, Kennedy was running as an independent presidential candidate. What unfolded was a stunning takedown of the host’s pro-vaccine arguments — one that left Maher visibly rattled and the audience siding with Kennedy.

Kennedy’s Challenge

During the exchange, Maher asked about Kennedy’s then-running mate, Nicole Shanahan, and her call to recall the Moderna vaccine — the very shot Maher had personally received.

Kennedy responded by citing polling data.

“There’s 25 percent of Americans who believe that they know somebody who was killed by a COVID vaccine,” Kennedy said.

“Killed?” Maher pressed.

“Killed — 25 percent. Fifty-two percent of Americans believe the vaccines are causing injuries, including death,” Kennedy continued.

Kennedy also highlighted troubling trial data from Pfizer’s own studies:

“People who got the vaccine had a 23 percent higher death rate from all causes at the end of that study,” he said.

The Moment That Stunned the Audience

Maher tried to push back, suggesting that any increased mortality could simply be due to underlying illness.

“But that could not be the disease itself?” Maher asked.

Kennedy’s reply drew laughter and thunderous applause:

“If it is, then the vaccine doesn’t work, does it?”

The crowd roared, while Maher appeared frustrated and attempted to talk over Kennedy.

“Well, no, no that’s … not true at all,” Maher said, insisting that elderly and overweight people were still alive because of the vaccine. That claim drew a smattering of applause — but Kennedy wasn’t allowed time to respond.

The full exchange can be viewed here:

Why It Matters Now

Clips of the interview have resurfaced across X (formerly Twitter), just as President Trump is demanding that “Drug Companies justify the success of their various Covid Drugs” on Truth Social.

The timing is no coincidence. Last week, the Trump administration dismissed CDC Director Susan Monarez, sparking the resignation of four other high-ranking officials at the agency. For the first time in years, the COVID vaccine debate is happening without a Biden White House censoring discussion.

Faith in “Science” vs. Accountability

Maher, to his credit, is no lockstep Democrat, and he occasionally reaches the right conclusion. But like many liberals, he often treats “science” as unquestionable dogma — even when the data tells a different story.

“I believe the vaccine saved lives,” Maher argued — effectively dismissing the studies and polls Kennedy referenced.

The exchange serves as a reminder of why skeptics continue to demand transparency and accountability from the pharmaceutical industry. And with President Trump calling for just that, the pressure on Big Pharma is greater than ever.