Reaction to UW-Madison professor’s comments on RFK Junior’s concerns over vaccines

MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) - A viral video of a UW-Madison professor calling RFK Jr. a psychopath and a moron is making waves online.

During the recorded lecture, UW-Madison microbiology professor, Timothy Paustian, spoke disparagingly about President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for health secretary. It’s sparking conservative outrage online and raising questions about the boundaries between science, politics, and academia.

“Vaccines are one of the most important public health tools that we have,” Patrick Remington M.D., Professor Emeritus at UW-Madison said.

Dr. Patrick Remington is an emeritus professor of population health sciences at UW-Madison.

“We have to understand there’s a big difference between science and politics,” Remington says.

In the video, the microbiologist says RFK Jr. is against vaccines and if another pandemic were to arise, the nominee would talk about crystals and meditation.

“His views on the U.S. food system are embraced by many in the public health community. Views on vaccines are less, well-accepted by the scientific community,” Remington says.

Just this week, President-elect Donald Trump says RFK Jr. will investigate the link between vaccines and autism. To date, CDC says there is no link.

“When pressed on the issue, RFK Jr. responds that he is not an anti-vaxxer. His children are vaccinated as recommended and he still talks about concerns of vaccine safety, and I think that’s a good thing,” Remington says.

In a statement, a university spokesperson says the microbiology professor has since apologized to his class and that his characterization of prospective federal appointees was unnecessary and inappropriate.

The President of the Universities of Wisconsin System also responded in a one-on-one interview.

“My understanding is the professor has apologized. I don’t think there’s a space for ad hominem attacks in our university. That’s not the right way to approach it, but we do want vigorous debates in our classroom because that’s how we all learn,” Jay Rothman, UW-System President said.

We reached out to the microbiology professor for comment and he declined our interview request.