Scientist Says He Was Stalked After Criticizing RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Statements
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A vaccine scientist stated he was “stalked” by anti-vaxxers after criticizing statements made by Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the Joe Rogan Podcast.
For Context: Kennedy Jr. appeared on the Joe Rogan Podcast last week, and the two discussed Kennedy’s well-known criticism of vaccines and the pharmaceutical industry. Shortly after the episode aired, vaccine scientist Peter Hotez, who previously appeared on Rogan’s podcast, tweeted a Vice (Left bias) article critical of the episode and stated, “from all the online attacks I’m receiving after this absurd podcast, it’s clear many actually believe this nonsense.”
Response: Following Hotez’s statement, Rogan responded, tweeting, “Peter, if you claim what RFKjr is saying is ‘misinformation’ I am offering you $100,000.00 to the charity of your choice if you’re willing to debate him on my show with no time limit.” This set off a feud that spanned the weekend. Twitter owner Elon Musk chimed in at one point, tweeting, “He’s afraid of a public debate, because he knows he’s wrong.” On Sunday, Hotez tweeted that he had been “stalked in front of my home by a couple of antivaxers taunting me to debate RFKJr.” The alleged stalker, Alex Rosen, tweeted a video of the interaction.
How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum covered the back-and-forth, with left-rated outlets typically more critical of Rogan, Kennedy, and Musk. Vice’s coverage stated that Rogan and Musk were “fomenting a crusade” against Hotez.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
A vaccine scientist says being tag-teamed and dogpiled on by Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, and RFK Jr. all at once has been 'overwhelming'
The vaccine scientist Peter Hotez says it's been "overwhelming" getting tag-teamed on Twitter by some of the platform's most influential voices.
"You know, the attacks from the anti-vaccine lobby do come in waves. And this time, though, it's been one of the tougher ones. Because, as you pointed out, the physical stalking and the incessant threatening emails," Hotez told MSNBC's Mehdi Hasan on Sunday night.
"And the stuff online is just total whack-a-doodle. And let's face it, when you have RFK Jr. and Joe Rogan, and Elon Musk, all tag-teaming,...
From the Right
Joe Rogan, Elon Musk challenge scientist to debate Robert Kennedy Jr. on vaccines, setting off firestorm
Elon Musk and Joe Rogan touched off a firestorm over the weekend as they pushed a prominent vaccine scientist to debate Democratic candidate and noted vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., on Rogan's popular podcast.
Rogan offered Dr. Peter Hotez $100,000 to the charity of his choice if he agreed to debate Kennedy on Rogan's program after Hotez slammed a recent interview Kennedy had on Rogan's program as "awful" and "nonsense." Kennedy, who is making a bid for the 2024 Democratic nomination, repeated unfounded claims he has long made like...
From the Center
Vaccine expert says anti-vaxxers ‘stalked’ him after Joe Rogan pressed him to debate RFK Jr.
A vaccine scientist said he was “stalked” after podcast host Joe Rogan called for him to debate Democratic presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“Ugh I just was stalked in front of my home by a couple of antivaxers taunting me to debate RFKJr. … What is it with people?” Peter Hotez, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine, wrote on Twitter Sunday.
Hotez had shared a Vice article on vaccine misinformation in a conversation between Rogan and Kennedy on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” writing that “from...
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