Will the Deep State prevail? The surprising RIGHT WING effort to CANCEL RFK JR.

By willowt // 2025-02-03

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Leonard Leo, a prominent conservative legal activist, is spearheading an effort to block Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, with the help of his public relations firm CRC Advisors and conservative advocacy group Advancing American Freedom (AAF).
A $250,000 digital ad campaign is being run by AAF to oppose Kennedy's nomination, citing his views on vaccines, past addiction struggles and stances on drug legalization and abortion rights.
The opposition effort is notable because it conflicts with a shift in conservative priorities towards health and personal freedom, reflecting a loyalty to Big Pharma and traditional conservative power structures.
Financial ties between conservative leaders like Mike Pence and Big Pharma, such as Eli Lilly's donations to Pence's PAC, raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest in the anti-Kennedy campaign.
Public figures like Nicole Shanahan and Mike Davis have criticized the campaign, questioning its motives and highlighting the potential corruption in the process, with broader implications for healthcare policy and the integrity of the nomination process.

As President Donald Trump’s choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., prepares for his confirmation process, a surprising and concerning effort is emerging from some of the most influential conservative circles. This effort, spearheaded by Federalist Society Co-chair Leonard Leo, is aimed at derailing Kennedy’s nomination, raising questions about the motives and loyalties of those involved.

The opposition from within

Leonard Leo, a prominent conservative legal activist known for his role in securing the confirmations of Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, is now at the forefront of an anti-Kennedy campaign. Leo’s public relations firm, CRC Advisors, is working in tandem with Advancing American Freedom (AAF), a conservative advocacy group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, to convince Republican senators to block Kennedy’s nomination. AAF is running a $250,000 digital ad campaign opposing Kennedy, citing his views on vaccines, his past struggles with addiction and his stances on drug legalization and abortion rights. The campaign includes a mobile billboard that will drive around the Capitol complex and appear at the March for Life in Washington, a significant event for pro-life advocates.

The historical context: A shift in conservative priorities

The opposition to Kennedy’s nomination is particularly noteworthy given the historical context. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and vaccine safety activist, has long been a vocal critic of the pharmaceutical industry and the potential harms associated with vaccines. His views have gained broader acceptance, especially since the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Kennedy’s nomination reflects a shift in the conservative movement, where health and personal freedom have become increasingly important issues. However, the conservative establishment, particularly those with ties to Big Pharma, seems reluctant to embrace this shift. Mike Pence, who has received significant donations from pharmaceutical executives, and Leonard Leo, whose firm has worked for pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly, are both deeply entrenched in the traditional conservative power structure. Their efforts to block Kennedy’s nomination suggest a deep-seated loyalty to the pharmaceutical industry and a resistance to the changing priorities of the conservative base.

The role of Big Pharma

The involvement of Big Pharma in this effort is particularly troubling. In August 2023, David Ricks, the CEO of Eli Lilly, made a significant early donation to Pence’s PAC, one of the first major contributions from a pharmaceutical executive in the 2024 election cycle. Ricks also donated $25,000 to a special political action committee called Committed to America, which supports Pence. These contributions highlight the financial ties between conservative leaders and the pharmaceutical industry, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Moreover, CRC Advisors, Leo’s firm, has worked for Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group that spent over $40 million supporting former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s failed Republican primary campaign against Trump in 2023/2024. This further underscores the complex web of financial and political interests at play.

The public backlash

The public is not blind to these efforts. Nicole Shanahan, a key ally of Kennedy and co-founder of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda, has publicly questioned the motives behind Leo’s involvement. In a tweet, Shanahan wrote, “Why is a ‘conservative’ PR firm spending hundreds of thousands of $ to try to sink RFK’s nomination? Could it be because they’re also pocketing millions from Big Pharma and super PACs that supported Nikki Haley’s campaign against Trump? This is the precise corruption the American public voted against in November!” Attorney Mike Davis, founder of the Article III Project, which aims to promote the confirmation of conservative justices, also criticized the anti-Kennedy campaign. “Exhibit A why @Article3Project is helping Trump pick judges now: Federalist Society’s Leo is assisting with anti-RFK Jr. campaign,” Davis posted on X.

The broader implications

The effort to block Kennedy’s confirmation is not just a political maneuver; it has significant implications for public health and the future of healthcare policy in the United States. Kennedy’s nomination represents a potential shift towards a more holistic and patient-centered approach to healthcare, one that prioritizes individual freedom and safety over corporate interests. If successful, the campaign to derail Kennedy’s nomination could reinforce the status quo, where Big Pharma continues to wield significant influence over health policy. This would be a setback for the millions of Americans who voted for Trump and his promise to "drain the swamp" and reduce corporate influence in government.

Conclusion

As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. prepares for his confirmation hearings this week, the opposition from within the conservative ranks is a stark reminder of the deep-seated conflicts and loyalties that shape American politics. The involvement of influential figures like Leonard Leo and Mike Pence, and their ties to Big Pharma, raises serious questions about the integrity of the nomination process and the priorities of the conservative movement. The American public, disillusioned with the status quo and eager for change, will be watching closely. The outcome of Kennedy’s confirmation process will be a litmus test for the commitment of conservative leaders to the principles of health, freedom and transparency. If these leaders choose to prioritize their financial interests over the well-being of the American people, it will be a bitter pill for many to swallow. Sources include: PoliticoPro.com X.com AMGreatness.com RandPaulReview.com