‘Fetus debris’ in vaccines claim by RFK Jr sparks outrage at Trump town hall

At a town hall Wednesday, RFK Jr. announced that ‘fetus debris’ in MMR vaccines was the reason that many religious people don’t get vaccinated.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made an appearance on tonight’s “CUOMO Town Hall: The First 100 Days,” featuring President Donald Trump, when the head of HHS announced he believes there’s ‘fetus debris’ in MMR vaccines.

“Now there are populations in our country like the Mennonites in Texas,” RFK Jr. began. “We’re most afflicted and they have religious objections to the vaccination because the MMR vaccine contains a lot of aborted fetus debris and DNA particles so they don’t want to take it.

He went on to say that was the reason Menonites don’t take vaccines. “So we ought to be able to take care of those populations when they get sick. Now there are populations in our,” continued RFK Jr.

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RFK Jr.’s claim has long been a common anti-vaccine trope that doctors have disputed in its common phrasing. While it’s somewhat true, researchers have used cell lines derived from cells taken decades ago, in the 60s, from fetuses and monkeys to grow viruses necessary to create some vaccines, but the viruses are purified and have been lab grown for years.

In 2005, the Vatican cleared vaccines for use for those who had ‘religious objections’ to the original MMR shot. The Vatican annonuced at the time, “As regards the diseases against which there are no alternative vaccines which are available and ethically acceptable, it is right to abstain from using these vaccines if it can be done without causing children, and indirectly the population as a whole, to undergo significant risks to their health.”

While beliefs are absolutely not universal among Menonites, they are a strict religious community and have ‘reservations’ about vaccines, with many believing vaccines are an interference with God’s plan or that they contain harmful ingredients.

The event is moderated by a rag-tag bipartisan group, including anchor Chris Cuomo, commentators Bill O’Reilly, and Stephen A. Smith. Trump is speaking to the town hall in a live phone interview.

So far, Steve Bannon, noted conservative pundit, has joined the discussion, along with strategist James Carville. Several others are due to join alongside leaders of the Democratic Party and a variety of notable guests, such as former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

The event is being held in front of a live studio audience comprised of Democrats, Republicans, and Independent voters.