
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) found himself on the defensive Thursday as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confronted him over his financial connections to pharmaceutical companies. During Kennedy’s confirmation hearing for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, the nominee called out Sanders for accepting massive donations from an industry he has long criticized.
“The problem of corruption isn’t just in federal agencies—it’s in Congress too,” Kennedy said. “Almost all the members of this panel, including yourself, are accepting millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry.” The audience erupted in applause as Sanders reacted with frustration.
Watch Bernie Sanders Squirm as RFK Jr. Calls Out His Big Pharma Money to His Face
SANDERS: “If we want to make America healthy, will you… guarantee health care to every single American?”
KENNEDY: “Bernie, the problem of corruption is not just in the federal agencies. It’s in… pic.twitter.com/2Rv40MOoTc
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) January 30, 2025
Sanders, known for his attacks on drug companies and calls for socialized medicine, dismissed the accusation, claiming his campaign was funded by grassroots donors. “I ran for president like you. I got millions and millions of contributions. They did not come from executives, not one nickel from PACs,” Sanders insisted.
RFK Jr has exposed the sad truth of the @TheDemocrats and how together with the Pharm business..the pockets of politicians have been lined..we can assume that both have integrated agendas..@DOJCrimDiv @FBI …do not sweep this outburst under the rug ..there is smoke here…Sanders… pic.twitter.com/VjPScMemQE
— Pissed Off Neanderthal🟦 🇺🇸 (@WooPig83) January 31, 2025
Kennedy, however, pointed to OpenSecrets data showing that Sanders received $439,256 from pharmaceutical-related sources in 2015-16 and topped the Senate with $1.4 million in donations in 2019-20. The revelation put Sanders in an uncomfortable position, given his repeated claims of standing against corporate influence in healthcare.
My favorite moment so far in the confirmation hearings? Watching RFK, Jr., pull Bernie Sanders' trigger. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/3BAIBPGmhm
— Ruth E. Brown 🇺🇲 (@RuthEBrown8888) January 31, 2025
While Sanders attempted to argue that his donors were workers rather than industry leaders, Kennedy’s remarks highlighted the larger issue—why someone who claims to fight against pharmaceutical companies would accept millions from those connected to the industry.
The exchange exposed the contradictions in Sanders’ approach to healthcare policy. While he champions government control over healthcare, his campaign contributions suggest a close relationship with the very industry he claims to oppose.