Colbert Skewers RFK Jr Over $500M mRNA Vaccine Research Cuts
I’m Riley Carter reporting that on Wednesday night Stephen Colbert went scorched earth on RFK Jr after the Health and Human Services Secretary cut $500 million from mRNA vaccine research.
Another night, another late-night media meltdown, right?
The firestorm began when HHS announced a decision to ax funding for 22 separate projects exploring mRNA technology—the very science credited with speeding up COVID-19 vaccine development. On “The Late Show” Colbert teased a calm, balanced response before exploding into a litany of brutal jabs.
“I’m about to deliver a measured, nonpartisan response,” Colbert quipped, then pivoted to a direct insult: “F*** you, you ’roid-addled nepo-carnie.” With that, he flipped the bird at the camera and sent the studio audience into a frenzy of applause and laughter.
He broke down RFK Jr’s justification with a clip from a recent press briefing. Kennedy argued that mRNA vaccines have underperformed against upper respiratory viruses like the flu, citing concerns over durability and delivery. Colbert didn’t hold back, countering, “Counterpoint, f*** you, you road-munching, Luddite human Slim Jim. You’re gonna kill people.”
The Late Show host then mocked the logic of scrapping cutting-edge research in favor of old approaches, comparing it to navigating a road trip to Six Flags by stargazing instead of using GPS. The stunt underscored his main point: rolling back mRNA work risks setting public health progress back decades.
mRNA technology isn’t just pandemic flash in the pan. It’s a rapidly evolving platform that researchers say could transform flu shots, cancer vaccines, and even treatments for autoimmune conditions. Downgrading dozens of active trials, as RFK Jr has ordered, might stall promising breakthroughs that were already in early-stage testing.
Colbert’s take wasn’t just about jokes. He urged viewers to consider the potential fallout: slower responses to emerging outbreaks, weakened academic–industry partnerships, and lost momentum on an innovation highway still gathering speed.
Sources including public records from HHS and the National Institutes of Health confirm the slashed budget and project list. Industry insiders warn the shift could trigger institutional panic, making top scientists think twice before diving into sensitive research areas.
Despite rumors that “The Late Show” itself might be on chopping block, Colbert showed zero hesitation in swinging at a highly polarized debate. His unfiltered monologue proved late-night comedy can still shape how millions view health policy decisions.
Plenty of folks will tweet or write think pieces by morning, but here’s the bottom line: the war over vaccine science funding just went prime time, with Colbert firmly on offense.
Okay cool, so like, yeah, that happened.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
