Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic and former presidential candidate, has publicly defended Donald Trump's claims that drug discounts under his administration were unprecedented, despite mathematical analysis showing the figures are impossible. The New York Times reported that Trump's statements, made during a recent rally, asserted that his policies led to discounts of up to 90% on certain medications, a claim that independent fact-checkers have debunked as exaggerated.
Kennedy, who has aligned himself with Trump on various health-related issues, argued that the former president's policies were effective in lowering drug prices, though he did not provide specific evidence to support the discount figures. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over healthcare costs and the accuracy of political claims in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections.
Fact-checking organizations, including PolitiFact and FactCheck.org, have rated similar claims by Trump as false, noting that the average drug price reduction under his administration was around 5-10%, not the 90% cited. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have also reported that overall drug spending increased during Trump's tenure, contradicting the discount narrative.
