Some MAGA loyalists wary of RFK Jr.'s closest adviser
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President Trump and many Republicans are steadfastly defending Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Trump's pick to lead Health and Human Services. But some MAGA loyalists aren't convinced — they're wary of the influence of Kennedy's closest adviser, a longtime Democratic activist.
Driving the news: For weeks, conservative-leaning groups, activists and policy groups have been privately sharing links to Kennedy aide Stefanie Spear's past social media and blog posts that show her support for Democratic causes, three people familiar with the messages tell Axios.
- Spear has worked closely with Kennedy, a former Democrat, for several years. They've known each other for more than a decade, drawn together by their activism on environmental issues and skepticism about vaccines.
- The chatter among her conservative critics casts Spear — who functions as Kennedy's executive assistant, scheduler and manager — as a potential gatekeeper to Kennedy.
- "This woman just has every appearance of being a disaster from a conservative perspective," one person from a conservative-leaning organization told Axios.
What they're saying: Spear did not respond to several requests for comment.
- A spokesperson for Kennedy said Spear's past Democratic activism hasn't been an issue and that she's "a team player," not an obstacle.
- "She is crucial in fulfilling the promise of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Trump to Make America Healthy Again and end the chronic disease epidemic," spokesperson Katie Miller said in a text.
Zoom in: Even so, Trump's team has decided that Spear would not be Kennedy's chief of staff at HHS, if he's confirmed by the Senate, according to the Wall Street Journal.
- Instead, Spear is in line to be deputy chief of staff and senior counsel to the HHS secretary. Kennedy's chief of staff would be Heather Flick, a department veteran who served in Trump's first term.
Catch up quick: Spear was the traveling press secretary and principal communications staffer on Kennedy's long-shot presidential campaign.
- Kennedy began his campaign as a Democrat, then ran as an independent before dropping out and endorsing Trump.
- Spear is "a safety blanket for Bobby," said one person familiar with their relationship.
- She's one of the few former Kennedy campaign staffers being considered for a role in the new administration.
State of play: Kennedy has just finished two days of of often-heated confirmation hearings before separate Senate's committees. Spear was among the Kennedy supporters at the hearings.
- Kennedy received pushback from several senators for his past statements questioning vaccine safety, including childhood inoculations for polio and measles.
- Among those expressing skepticism about Kennedy was Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Cassidy said he wasn't sure he could back an HHS nominee who "spent decades criticizing vaccines, and who's financially vested in finding fault with vaccines."
- Cassidy is also on the Senate Finance Committee, which also questioned Kennedy. That panel is scheduled to vote on Kennedy's confirmation Tuesday.
