Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s interview with Jordan Peterson was removed from YouTube due to alleged violation of the platform's vaccine misinformation policy. The removal sparked accusations of censorship from both Kennedy and Peterson, with Kennedy questioning what constituted "misinformation" in the interview and Peterson accusing YouTube of interfering in the presidential election. Kennedy leveraged Twitter, thanking Elon Musk for providing an alternate platform for the interview.
A Google spokesperson explained that the video was removed for violating YouTube's policy against content alleging that vaccines cause chronic side effects not recognized by health authorities. They emphasized that the guidelines apply to all creators regardless of political stance. The policy covers misinformation regarding vaccine safety, efficacy, and ingredients, including false claims linking vaccines to autism, cancer, or infertility.
During the interview, Kennedy suggested a link between chemical exposure in water and the rise in sexual dysphoria, particularly in boys. He specifically mentioned atrazine, a chemical he claims can chemically castrate and feminize frogs, and suggested potential similar effects on humans. While vaccines aren't a central theme of his campaign, Kennedy's team indicated his willingness to debate the topic. They attributed concerns about vaccine safety to corporate influence in medicine, research, media, and government, emphasizing Kennedy's advocacy for unbiased safety testing.
In a separate interview, Kennedy expressed concerns about potential threats to his safety, referencing his uncle's assassination and the historical tension between President John F. Kennedy, the military, and the intelligence community.
