Story perspectives

Kennedy Reverses Gardasil Pledge, Pays $7,000 to Law Firm

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 5:15 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. transferred Gardasil fee interest to Wisner Baum, undoing his pledge to his son.
Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal and Angela Alsobrooks wrote to Kennedy on Sept. 25 seeking explanation.
Kennedy listed a $7,000 payment from Wisner Baum as compensation for ending his agreement.
His 2025 disclosure shows $4 million in book advances and over $270,000 in gifts from allies.
MAHA Action paid Kennedy’s wife $210,000 in consulting fees.

History

Historical Context

In 2006 the FDA approved Merck’s Gardasil, the first HPV vaccine whose development traced back to Harald zur Hausen’s Nobel-winning discovery of HPV’s cancer link (2008) and Ian Frazer’s 1991 VLP patent. Widespread use cut cervical-cancer mortality by about 50% and spurred a large market, but recent revelations of political donations have revived calls for tighter congressional disclosure and ethics reforms.

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Story summary

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. transferred Gardasil fee interest to Wisner Baum, undoing his pledge to his son.
Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal and Angela Alsobrooks wrote to Kennedy on Sept. 25 seeking explanation.
Kennedy listed a $7,000 payment from Wisner Baum as compensation for ending his agreement.
His 2025 disclosure shows $4 million in book advances and over $270,000 in gifts from allies.
MAHA Action paid Kennedy’s wife $210,000 in consulting fees.

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