Television science educator Bill Nye revealed he blocked Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after receiving what he described as endless text messages promoting vaccine skepticism and debunked theories linking autism to immunizations.
In a recent interview with Men’s Health published June 10, 2025, Nye displayed his phone showing extensive text chains from Kennedy containing links to articles speculating about vaccine safety. The two were introduced several years ago through mutual friend Ed Begley Jr., an actor who had connected with Kennedy during his environmental advocacy work.
Nye described Kennedy’s messaging behavior as demonstrating a complete lack of self-awareness. The texts primarily focused on speculation about connections between autism and mercury in vaccines, theories that have been extensively debunked by the scientific community. Kennedy sent multiple articles and lengthy messages with minimal response from the science educator.
When Nye initially attempted to engage diplomatically, he responded to Kennedy’s messages by indicating he would read Kennedy’s book but believed the health secretary had confused causation with correlation. Rather than ending the conversation, Kennedy responded with additional lengthy text messages containing more vaccine-related content.
Frustrated by the continued bombardment, Nye explicitly requested Kennedy stop sending texts. However, Kennedy ignored this direct request and continued transmitting anti-vaccine material, prompting Nye to block all communication from the health secretary.
Nye expressed strong criticism of Kennedy’s qualifications for his current position, stating Kennedy lacks good judgment and is unsuited for the health secretary role. The science educator emphasized his concerns about Kennedy’s approach to public health policy, particularly regarding vaccination requirements and disease prevention.
The disclosure comes amid Kennedy’s controversial tenure leading the Department of Health and Human Services. In recent weeks, Kennedy removed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with eight new appointees who have expressed skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines and government health policies.
Among Kennedy’s new appointments is Dr. Robert Malone, a former mRNA researcher who has made controversial claims about COVID-19 vaccines and downplayed deaths related to measles outbreaks. The committee typically includes 19 members, indicating additional appointments may be forthcoming.
Nye referenced recent measles outbreaks in Texas, where 744 cases have been confirmed since late January 2025, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. He argued against claims that individuals have rights to refuse vaccination, emphasizing that unvaccinated people typically spread diseases and that public health regulations exist to protect community welfare rather than individual preferences.
The science educator drew from personal experience, noting he attended elementary school with someone who contracted polio. Nye emphasized that vaccines prevent serious diseases like polio and questioned Kennedy’s understanding of basic vaccine science. “What is wrong with you, man?” Nye asked during the interview.
Nye also criticized Kennedy’s support for consuming unpasteurized milk, referencing Louis Pasteur’s scientific work on pasteurization. The health secretary has advocated for removing Food and Drug Administration restrictions on raw milk consumption, despite established health risks.
Kennedy’s department recently faced scrutiny for releasing a “Make America Healthy Again” report in March 2025 that cited nonexistent studies, which the White House attributed to formatting errors. Additionally, Kennedy’s department canceled contracts aimed at combating flu viruses, raising concerns among public health organizations.
During Kennedy’s Senate confirmation hearing in January 2025, he insisted he was not anti-vaccine and acknowledged vaccines play critical roles in healthcare. However, his subsequent actions removing vaccine advisory committee members and appointing known vaccine skeptics have contradicted these statements.
Medical professionals and public health organizations have expressed alarm at Kennedy’s approach to vaccine policy. Doctors’ groups fear the new advisory committee appointments signal intentions to reassess or potentially end longstanding vaccination recommendations that have protected public health for decades.
Nye, who serves as CEO of the Planetary Society and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Biden in January 2025, continues advocating for science-based policy decisions. His criticism of Kennedy reflects broader concerns within the scientific community about the current administration’s approach to public health and medical research.
The text message revelation provides insight into Kennedy’s persistent promotion of vaccine skepticism even in private communications with respected science educators, demonstrating the consistency of his anti-vaccine messaging across different contexts and audiences.
