Sheryl Gay Stolberg
@sherylnyt.bsky.social
Covering health policy & politics for @nytimes. Former Congressional & White House Correspondent (Bush & Obama). Peloton aficionado, amateur painter, mom of 2 awesome young adults. Tips: [email protected]
Heartbreaking. A young mother is facing a terminal cancer diagnosis with bravery and grace.
"Adding to her fears were the actions of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, who she calls “an embarrassment” to her family."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
"Adding to her fears were the actions of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, who she calls “an embarrassment” to her family."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
A Cancer Diagnosis Brings a New Season of Grief to the Kennedy Family
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Heartbreaking. A young mother is facing a terminal cancer diagnosis with bravery and grace.
"Adding to her fears were the actions of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, who she calls “an embarrassment” to her family."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
"Adding to her fears were the actions of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, who she calls “an embarrassment” to her family."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
PROMISES MADE, PROMISES BROKEN.
"Nine months later, some of the most consequential promises that Mr. Cassidy said he had secured from Mr. Kennedy appear to have been breached or broken altogether."
@anniekarni.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
"Nine months later, some of the most consequential promises that Mr. Cassidy said he had secured from Mr. Kennedy appear to have been breached or broken altogether."
@anniekarni.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Cassidy Got Pledges From Kennedy on Vaccines. They Haven’t Stuck.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:41 PM
PROMISES MADE, PROMISES BROKEN.
"Nine months later, some of the most consequential promises that Mr. Cassidy said he had secured from Mr. Kennedy appear to have been breached or broken altogether."
@anniekarni.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
"Nine months later, some of the most consequential promises that Mr. Cassidy said he had secured from Mr. Kennedy appear to have been breached or broken altogether."
@anniekarni.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
HOT OFF THE PRESSES: RFK Jr. told me he personally instructed CDC to abandon its longstanding position that vaccines don't cause autism. He acknowledged that large-scale studies of MMR vaccine and thimerosal show no link. But he cited gaps in vaccine safety science.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
Kennedy Says He Told C.D.C. to Change Website’s Language on Autism and Vaccines
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:16 PM
HOT OFF THE PRESSES: RFK Jr. told me he personally instructed CDC to abandon its longstanding position that vaccines don't cause autism. He acknowledged that large-scale studies of MMR vaccine and thimerosal show no link. But he cited gaps in vaccine safety science.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/u...
HEADS UP: CDC website now officially asserts that vaccines may cause autism.“Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.” Also says the “vaccines do not cause autism” header remains b/c of an agreement with Cassidy.
November 20, 2025 at 2:53 AM
HEADS UP: CDC website now officially asserts that vaccines may cause autism.“Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.” Also says the “vaccines do not cause autism” header remains b/c of an agreement with Cassidy.
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Health Policies Says She Is on Administrative Leave
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:56 AM
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
"God is an anti-vaxxer and he needs you to speak up."
1,000 supporters of RFK Jr. gathered in Austin this weekend to chart the future of their movement. With a special guest appearance by Cheryl Hines. This is what it looked like: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
1,000 supporters of RFK Jr. gathered in Austin this weekend to chart the future of their movement. With a special guest appearance by Cheryl Hines. This is what it looked like: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Emboldened, Kennedy Allies Embrace a Label They Once Rejected: ‘Anti-Vax’
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
"God is an anti-vaxxer and he needs you to speak up."
1,000 supporters of RFK Jr. gathered in Austin this weekend to chart the future of their movement. With a special guest appearance by Cheryl Hines. This is what it looked like: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
1,000 supporters of RFK Jr. gathered in Austin this weekend to chart the future of their movement. With a special guest appearance by Cheryl Hines. This is what it looked like: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Dick Cheney's death, Monday at age 84, took me back to my days as a White House correspondent. As vice president, I wrote in 2008, he "stretched the limits of the job in ways his predecessors could not have imagined."
“I don’t run anything," Cheney insisted.
www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/w...
“I don’t run anything," Cheney insisted.
www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/w...
In Glimpses, Cheney Contemplates His Legacy (Published 2008)
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Dick Cheney's death, Monday at age 84, took me back to my days as a White House correspondent. As vice president, I wrote in 2008, he "stretched the limits of the job in ways his predecessors could not have imagined."
“I don’t run anything," Cheney insisted.
www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/w...
“I don’t run anything," Cheney insisted.
www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/w...
At the end of his life, Dick Cheney, an ardent Republican, voted for a Democrat: “We have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution,” he said.
Dick Cheney, Powerful Vice President and Washington Insider, Dies at 84 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
Dick Cheney, Powerful Vice President and Washington Insider, Dies at 84 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
Dick Cheney, Powerful Vice President and Washington Insider, Dies at 84
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:49 AM
At the end of his life, Dick Cheney, an ardent Republican, voted for a Democrat: “We have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution,” he said.
Dick Cheney, Powerful Vice President and Washington Insider, Dies at 84 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
Dick Cheney, Powerful Vice President and Washington Insider, Dies at 84 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
In which the health secretary spoofs drug ads: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqZz...
Introducing "MAHA" — the remedy Big Pharma doesn't want you to know about.
YouTube video by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM
In which the health secretary spoofs drug ads: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqZz...
Evidence that at the least, RFK Jr has changed the conversation around food. At @apha.org meeting, “regulating ultra processed foods” appears to win the straw poll as the policy most likely to improve nutrition.
November 3, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Evidence that at the least, RFK Jr has changed the conversation around food. At @apha.org meeting, “regulating ultra processed foods” appears to win the straw poll as the policy most likely to improve nutrition.
NEW: FDA Drug Unit Chief Is Placed on Leave, and Cites a ‘Toxic’ Environment. Says politics was interfering with science in the race to approve new drugs. @by-cjewett.bsky.social has the scoop. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/h...
F.D.A. Drug Unit Chief Is Placed on Leave, and Cites a ‘Toxic’ Environment
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:08 PM
NEW: FDA Drug Unit Chief Is Placed on Leave, and Cites a ‘Toxic’ Environment. Says politics was interfering with science in the race to approve new drugs. @by-cjewett.bsky.social has the scoop. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/h...
HAPPENING NOW: 12,000 public health professionals meeting in DC. They’ll rally on the National Mall Wednesday
The president of @apha.org walked onto the stage to the tune of “Mission Impossible.” Their opening video referred to the RFK and the Trump administration as “The Syndicate.”
The president of @apha.org walked onto the stage to the tune of “Mission Impossible.” Their opening video referred to the RFK and the Trump administration as “The Syndicate.”
November 2, 2025 at 4:42 PM
HAPPENING NOW: 12,000 public health professionals meeting in DC. They’ll rally on the National Mall Wednesday
The president of @apha.org walked onto the stage to the tune of “Mission Impossible.” Their opening video referred to the RFK and the Trump administration as “The Syndicate.”
The president of @apha.org walked onto the stage to the tune of “Mission Impossible.” Their opening video referred to the RFK and the Trump administration as “The Syndicate.”
NEW: Steven Hatfill, the biosecurity expert and opponent of mNRA research, tells me he was fired by RFK Jr.'s chief of staff as part of "a coup to overthrow Mr. Kennedy." HHS says he misrepresented himself & didn't play well in the sandbox.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
Steven Hatfill, Covid Vaccine Critic, Is Ousted From HHS
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
NEW: Steven Hatfill, the biosecurity expert and opponent of mNRA research, tells me he was fired by RFK Jr.'s chief of staff as part of "a coup to overthrow Mr. Kennedy." HHS says he misrepresented himself & didn't play well in the sandbox.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
Trump took a wrecking ball to the White House. There has got to be a metaphor in here somewhere. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/a...
Architects Urged a Review of Trump’s Ballroom. Cue the Demolition Crew.
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Trump took a wrecking ball to the White House. There has got to be a metaphor in here somewhere. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/a...
RFK Jr. to TRUMP, on the White House plan to expand access to fertility drugs:
"You made peace in the Middle East which is beyond anybody's imagination. Now you're giving millions of Americans a chance to have babies and you're doing this while the government is locked down by the Democrats."
"You made peace in the Middle East which is beyond anybody's imagination. Now you're giving millions of Americans a chance to have babies and you're doing this while the government is locked down by the Democrats."
October 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
RFK Jr. to TRUMP, on the White House plan to expand access to fertility drugs:
"You made peace in the Middle East which is beyond anybody's imagination. Now you're giving millions of Americans a chance to have babies and you're doing this while the government is locked down by the Democrats."
"You made peace in the Middle East which is beyond anybody's imagination. Now you're giving millions of Americans a chance to have babies and you're doing this while the government is locked down by the Democrats."
BIRTH CONTROL OFFICE DECIMATED: Trump and RFK Jr. laid off nearly the entire HHS Office of Population Affairs, which oversees programs that help millions of American women prevent unwanted pregnancies, which in turn prevents abortion.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Trump Administration Decimates Birth Control Office in Layoffs
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:34 PM
BIRTH CONTROL OFFICE DECIMATED: Trump and RFK Jr. laid off nearly the entire HHS Office of Population Affairs, which oversees programs that help millions of American women prevent unwanted pregnancies, which in turn prevents abortion.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
TRUMP CDC REVERSAL: Trump administration racing to reverse some CDC layoffs. Disease detectives, measles responders, MMWR staff RIF’s are revoked. DC office still shuttered. w/ @apoorvanyt.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
Trump Administration Is Bringing Back Scores of C.D.C. Experts Fired in Error
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:19 AM
TRUMP CDC REVERSAL: Trump administration racing to reverse some CDC layoffs. Disease detectives, measles responders, MMWR staff RIF’s are revoked. DC office still shuttered. w/ @apoorvanyt.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
OOOPS! UPDATE: Two HHS officials tell me that disease detectives, measles response officers, global health officials and the MMWR staff were laid off by mistake and will be reinstated. But Washington office is still RIFed
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
October 11, 2025 at 11:02 PM
OOOPS! UPDATE: Two HHS officials tell me that disease detectives, measles response officers, global health officials and the MMWR staff were laid off by mistake and will be reinstated. But Washington office is still RIFed
Reposted by Sheryl Gay Stolberg
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
October 11, 2025 at 2:10 AM
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
Reposted by Sheryl Gay Stolberg
FULL STORY HERE: Emails began flooding CDC inboxes late Friday night announcing dozens of layoffs. HR people brought back from furlough to oversee the RIFs. Disease detectives, entire Washington office, global health, injury prevention, MMWR staff among those hit.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
Trump Administration Lays Off Dozens of C.D.C. Officials
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:49 AM
FULL STORY HERE: Emails began flooding CDC inboxes late Friday night announcing dozens of layoffs. HR people brought back from furlough to oversee the RIFs. Disease detectives, entire Washington office, global health, injury prevention, MMWR staff among those hit.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
October 11, 2025 at 2:10 AM
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
Credit where credit is due. Lost in the uproar over Trump's claims about Tylenol and autism, the NIH is funneling millions of dollars into credible scientific research on the disorder. My colleague Ben Mueller on Jay Bhattacharya's announcement:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/h...
Despite False Claims, Trump Funnels Millions Into Credible Autism Research
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Credit where credit is due. Lost in the uproar over Trump's claims about Tylenol and autism, the NIH is funneling millions of dollars into credible scientific research on the disorder. My colleague Ben Mueller on Jay Bhattacharya's announcement:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/h...
Remember Aaron Siri? The lawyer and RFK ally who wanted to revoke approval of the standalone polio vaccine? He's pushing for warning labels on Tylenol now.
@by-cjewett.bsky.social reports on Siri's ties to Kennedy and his outsized influence on vaccine policy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
@by-cjewett.bsky.social reports on Siri's ties to Kennedy and his outsized influence on vaccine policy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
Kennedy’s Ties to Ally Leading Vaccine Lawsuits Raise Ethical Concerns
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Remember Aaron Siri? The lawyer and RFK ally who wanted to revoke approval of the standalone polio vaccine? He's pushing for warning labels on Tylenol now.
@by-cjewett.bsky.social reports on Siri's ties to Kennedy and his outsized influence on vaccine policy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
@by-cjewett.bsky.social reports on Siri's ties to Kennedy and his outsized influence on vaccine policy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/h...
I keep seeing photos of men who make US health policy, like this one of Trump announcing lower drug prices. HHS.gov features only men: Bhattacharya, Oz, Trump, Kennedy, Makary.
HHS has 35 top slots. 21 men. 6 women. 8 are vacant.
Just saying.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/h...
HHS has 35 top slots. 21 men. 6 women. 8 are vacant.
Just saying.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/h...
Trump Announces Deal With Pfizer to Sell Drugs to Medicaid at European Prices
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 9:51 PM
I keep seeing photos of men who make US health policy, like this one of Trump announcing lower drug prices. HHS.gov features only men: Bhattacharya, Oz, Trump, Kennedy, Makary.
HHS has 35 top slots. 21 men. 6 women. 8 are vacant.
Just saying.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/h...
HHS has 35 top slots. 21 men. 6 women. 8 are vacant.
Just saying.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/h...
Going through my email and found this vile, anti-Semitic, racist rant. Ordinarily I wouldn't share or amplify. But it also seems to me that people ought to be reminded that this exists.
September 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Going through my email and found this vile, anti-Semitic, racist rant. Ordinarily I wouldn't share or amplify. But it also seems to me that people ought to be reminded that this exists.