# Important Context
> Independent investigative journalism.
Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. Use `/llms-full.txt` for consolidated page and post context.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).

## Pages
- [Discourse Decoded](https://www.importantcontext.news/about.md) - Important Context is a project of the Accountability Journalism Institute (formerly the OptOut Media Foundation), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to investigative and independent reporting co-founded in 2020 by investigative journalist Walker Bragman and award-winning money-in-politics reporter Ale…
- [(Untitled)](https://www.importantcontext.news/search.md)
- [Writers](https://www.importantcontext.news/writers-2.md) - Editor-in-Chief: * Walker Bragman Contributors and Bylines: * Olivia Riggio * Nick Tsergas * Billie Jean Sweeney * Amanda Magnani * Tina-Desiree Berg * Karam Bales * Natalie Jonas * Alex Kotch * David Moore * Donald Shaw * Liana DeMasi * Dan Friedman * Bob Morris, MD, PhD * Jonathan Howard, MD * Al…
- [Writers](https://www.importantcontext.news/writers.md) - Editor-in-Chief: * Walker Bragman Contributors and Bylines: * Olivia Riggio * Nick Tsergas * Billie Jean Sweeney * Amanda Magnani * Tina-Desiree Berg * Karam Bales * Natalie Jonas * Alex Kotch * David Moore * Donald Shaw * Liana DeMasi * Dan Friedman * Bob Morris, MD, PhD * Jonathan Howard, MD * Al…

## Posts
- [Anti-Vaxxers Target Doctors to Deny Measles Deaths in Widening Outbreak](https://www.importantcontext.news/anti-vaxxers-target-doctors-to-deny-measles-deaths-in-widening-outbreak.md) - Children’s Health Defense boasts that it sparked malpractice inquiries into two doctors who treated deceased unvaccinated measles patients.
- [Exxon Heiress Aims to Regenerate the Earth With Spirituality](https://www.importantcontext.news/exxon-heiress-aims-to-regenerate-the-earth-with-spirituality.md) - The great-granddaughter of one of America’s wealthiest oilmen has teamed up with an anti-vax doctor.
- [The U.S. “Campaign of Interference and Destabilization” in Brazil's Election](https://www.importantcontext.news/the-u-s-campaign-of-interference-and-destabilization-in-brazils-election.md) - The Trump administration is working to elect its ally in Brazil.
- [Democrats Lose by Punching Down on Trans Issues, Strategists Say](https://www.importantcontext.news/democrats-lose-by-punching-down-on-trans-issues-strategists-say.md) - Insiders, including at centrist think tank Third Way, are cautioning Democratic candidates against echoing Republican talking points on trans rights.
- [Children’s Health Defense ‘Expert’ Who Blamed Measles Deaths on Medical Malpractice Found to Have Caused Patient Death](https://www.importantcontext.news/childrens-health-defense-expert-who-blamed-measles-deaths-on-medical-malpractice-found-to-have-caused-patient-death.md) - A federal appeals court granted Dr. Pierre Kory immunity under a law anti-vaxxers have railed against.
- [Transphobic Ballot Questions Reveal the Right's Anti-Girl, Anti-Kid Agenda](https://www.importantcontext.news/transphobic-ballot-questions-reveal.md) - Seven initiatives in five states would exploit trans people to promote a gender-policing surveillance state.
- [HHS Releases Another Report Attacking Transgender Americans and Their Allies](https://www.importantcontext.news/hhs-releases-another-report-attacking.md) - “In my opinion, all the authors have done in this farce of a survey is measured political affiliation.”
- [New HHS Report on Gender-Affirming Care Rife With False Information](https://www.importantcontext.news/new-hhs-report-on-gender-affirming.md) - “As soon as you politicize any sort of healthcare it's a really slippery slope.”
- [Right Wing Celebrates Former Biden COVID Czar’s Embrace of Unproven COVID Origin Story](https://www.importantcontext.news/right-wing-celebrates-former-biden.md) - “It’s going to shift the Overton Window.”
- [Trump Allies Deflect From Explosive Diarrhea Epidemic](https://www.importantcontext.news/trump-allies-deflect-from-explosive.md) - “The real epidemic here is the relentless legacy media effort to attack Trump and Kennedy on public health issues.”
- [Plaintiff in Children’s Health Defense Lawsuit Charged With Murder](https://www.importantcontext.news/plaintiff-in-childrens-health-defense.md) - A mother who blamed vaccines for the deaths of her toddler twins and joined the anti-vax group’s lawsuit against the American Academy of Pediatrics has been charged with murdering her children.
- [MAGA Attacks Nonprofits. It Took Lessons From Authoritarians.](https://www.importantcontext.news/maga-attacks-nonprofits-it-took-lessons.md) - “The Trump administration is really the first to all-out attack nonprofits.”
- [Trump DOJ Settles Lawsuit By Vaccine Skeptic Despite Winning in Court](https://www.importantcontext.news/trump-doj-settles-lawsuit-by-vaccine.md) - Anti-mRNA vaccine writer Alex Berenson received a six-figure payout from the case.
- [Chair of President’s Cancer Panel Co-Authors Ivermectin Cancer Study Backed By Supplements Company](https://www.importantcontext.news/chair-of-presidents-cancer-panel.md) - “It’s marketing disguised as science.”
- [Public Health Opponents Leverage Hantavirus Outbreak to Spread Conspiracies and Misinformation](https://www.importantcontext.news/public-health-opponents-leverage.md) - Many familiar faces from the COVID-19 pandemic are back.
- [MAHA Officials Out At FDA](https://www.importantcontext.news/maha-officials-out-at-fda.md) - Kennedy vaccine skeptical allies are dropping fast as the White House prepares for midterms.
- [Trump Surgeon General Pick Celebrated DOGE Research Cuts, Called to Halt mRNA Vaccines for Children, and Expressed Anti-Trans Views](https://www.importantcontext.news/trump-surgeon-general-pick-celebrated.md) - Nicole Saphier has promoted a number of unproven public health narratives favored by the right.
- [The Heritage Foundation Has a Radical New Project](https://www.importantcontext.news/heritage-foundation-has-a-radical.md) - The rights of women, people of color, gay people, disabled people and trans people—a vast majority of the country—are being targeted by a billionaire-funded network.
- [Anti-Vaccine Groups Given Unprecedented Access to CDC Vaccine Panel](https://www.importantcontext.news/anti-vaccine-groups-given-unprecedented.md) - Robert Kennedy Jr. has added new liaisons to ACIP, tapping old allies from the anti-vaccine movement.
- [FDA Vaccine Chief Front-Runner Called mRNA Vaccines “Experimental Genetic Technology,” Compared Pandemic Response to Iranian Rule](https://www.importantcontext.news/fda-vaccine-chief-front-runner-called.md) - Dr. Houman David Hemmati is closely aligned with the MAHA movement.
- [As HHS Rails Against Science Politicization, Leading Agency Officials Embrace Right-Wing Political Action](https://www.importantcontext.news/as-hhs-rails-against-science-politicization.md) - The surprising number of public health officials at CPAC last month highlights what critics say is a disturbing trend.
- [“Rewrite All of Your Woke Science”: Early-Career Researcher Says NIH’s Anti-DEI Agenda is Undermining Agency’s Mission](https://www.importantcontext.news/rewrite-all-of-your-woke-science.md) - Dr. Michael D. Green says his work is being censored to fit an “amorphous political agenda.”
- [Meat and Dairy Industries Spent Big Money Lobbying Ahead of Trump Dietary Guideline Changes](https://www.importantcontext.news/meat-and-dairy-industries-spent-big.md) - The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize red meat and dairy.
- [New CDC Director Has Questioned Vaccine Safety](https://www.importantcontext.news/new-cdc-director-has-questioned-vaccine.md) - Jay Bhattacharya’s recent new appointment may suggest more changes to the vaccine schedule.
- [HHS Has Been Using Anti-Trans Language From a Christian Right Think Tank](https://www.importantcontext.news/hhs-is-using-anti-trans-language.md) - The department refers to gender-affirming care as “sex-rejecting procedures,” a term coined by the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
- [NIH Director Declines to Fully Rule Out Vaccine-Autism Link During Senate Hearing](https://www.importantcontext.news/nih-director-declines-to-fully-rule.md) - Jay Bhattacharya would not categorically denounce the discredited narrative that vaccines cause autism.
- [“The Entire City's in This Sort of State of Siege:” A Conversation With A Minneapolis ICE Tracker](https://www.importantcontext.news/the-entire-citys-in-this-sort-of.md) - Important Context spoke with attorney Will Stancil, who has been tracking ICE in his city.
- [RFK Jr.‘s Former Anti-Vax Org Launches RICO Suit Against Leading Pediatrics Group](https://www.importantcontext.news/rfk-jrs-former-anti-vax-org-launches.md) - The lawsuit by Children’s Health Defense comes as the American Academy of Pediatrics wages its own legal battle against Kennedy’s HHS.
- [Jon Stewart Praises Attorney Behind Years of Anti-Vaccine, Anti-Public Health Lawfare](https://www.importantcontext.news/jon-stewart-praises-attorney-who.md) - “You’re a civil rights attorney who has been canceled by both the right and the left, which means you must be doing something right.”
- [Experts Warn U.S. in Early Stages of Genocide Against Trans Americans](https://www.importantcontext.news/experts-warn-us-in-early-stages-of.md) - Genocide scholars say policies targeting transgender Americans match early warning signs of mass atrocity.
- [How a Free Speech Group Helped Right-Wing Dark Money Undermine Protections for Trans and Nonbinary Students](https://www.importantcontext.news/how-a-free-speech-group-helped-right.md) - The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression weighed in on a case brought by Parents Defending Education in Ohio.
- [HHS Moves to Restrict Gender-Affirming Care Based on Dubious Report Shredded in Peer Review](https://www.importantcontext.news/hhs-moves-to-restrict-gender-affirming.md) - A review of the report HHS relied on calls it “a dangerous incursion of politics into science and medicine.”
- [FDA Commissioner: HIV “May Very Well Have Come From a Lab”](https://www.importantcontext.news/fda-commissioner-hiv-may-very-well.md) - During a recent podcast appearance, Dr. Marty Makary promoted lab origin conspiracy theories involving HIV, Lyme disease, and one dead raccoon.
- [Fact-Checking the Liam Neeson-Narrated Anti-Vax Documentary](https://www.importantcontext.news/fact-checking-the-liam-neeson-narrated.md) - The false and misleading narratives in Plague of Corruption revisited.
- [Liam Neeson Narrates Anti-Vax, Pro-RFK Documentary](https://www.importantcontext.news/liam-neeson-narrates-anti-vax-pro.md) - The Taken actor can be heard calling COVID vaccines “dangerous experiments.”
- [“Utterly Unqualified”: Embattled FDA Taps Vaccine Opponent For Top Drug Regulator Position](https://www.importantcontext.news/utterly-unqualified-embattled-fda.md) - Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg is a familiar name on the medical fringes.
- [Pro-Ivermectin, Anti-Vax Group Positioned to Influence CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee](https://www.importantcontext.news/pro-ivermectin-anti-vax-group-positioned.md) - New ACIP Chair Dr. Kirk Milhoan, who attacks mRNA vaccines, is affiliated with the Independent Medical Alliance.
- [Robert Kennedy Jr. ‘Absolutely Tried to Silence Me’: Blogger Sued by HHS Secretary Speaks Out](https://www.importantcontext.news/robert-kennedy-jr-absolutely-tried.md) - David Vickrey spoke with Important Context about the legal battle that consumed the last five years of his life.
- [CDC Updates Vaccine Safety Page to Promote Vaccine Misinformation, Cites Kennedy’s Anti-Vax Allies](https://www.importantcontext.news/cdc-changes-vaccine-safety-page-to.md) - It is the latest move by Robert Kennedy Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services to undermine vaccines.
- [Kennedy Said He Was Done With Children’s Health Defense; His Wife Headlined Its Annual Conference](https://www.importantcontext.news/kennedy-said-he-was-done-with-childrens.md) - Actress Cheryl Hines spoke at the anti-vax star-studded affair this weekend.
- [NIH Director Accepts Award From Anti-Vax Group Founded By Ally Accused Of Sexual Misconduct](https://www.importantcontext.news/nih-director-accepts-award-from-anti.md) - Jay Bhattacharya reunited with his old ally Jeffrey Tucker weeks after the political operative was revealed to have faced a sexual harassment scandal.
- [Federal Court Dismisses Censorship Lawsuit By “Leading COVID-19 Vaccine Skeptic”](https://www.importantcontext.news/federal-court-dismisses-censorship.md) - Alex Berenson was suspended by Twitter for comments he made about the mRNA vaccines. He blamed the government and Pfizer.
- [Anti-Vaxxers Plan to “Make Europe Healthy Again”](https://www.importantcontext.news/anti-vaxxers-plan-to-make-europe.md) - An anti-vaxxer sitting on the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee pitched European parliament members on “MEHA.”
- [1,000 Doctors Challenge Florida’s Anti-Vax Surgeon General](https://www.importantcontext.news/1000-doctors-challenge-floridas-anti.md) - Joe Ladapo ended vaccine requirements but not everyone is quietly accepting the dangerous policy change.
- [Trump Public Health Officials Attacked mRNA Vaccines, CDC For Years Before August 8 Shooting](https://www.importantcontext.news/trump-public-health-officials-attacked.md) - The violence has put misinformation spreaders under the microscope. Many are working inside HHS.
- [Kennedy-Appointed CDC Vaccine Advisor Posts Bizarre Conspiracy Theory Ahead of ACIP Meeting](https://www.importantcontext.news/kennedy-appointed-cdc-vaccine-advisor.md) - Dr. Robert Malone suggested former CDC Director Susan Monarez was trained to “lie” by the intelligence community.
- [Rewriting Extremism: Right-Wing Seeks Nation to Mourn Charlie Kirk](https://www.importantcontext.news/rewriting-extremism-right-wing-seeks.md) - The Right’s ‘martyr’ was an ideologue, a conspiracy theorist, a bigot, and an agitator who glorified violence.
- [Florida Surgeon General to Appear With Ivermectin Group That Called mRNA Vaccines “Weapons of Mass Destruction”](https://www.importantcontext.news/florida-surgeon-general-to-appear.md) - Ladapo just announced Florida will halt all school vaccine mandates.
- [Trump Officials, GOP Lawmakers Join Far-Right Extremists At “National Conservatism” Conference](https://www.importantcontext.news/trump-officials-gop-lawmakers-join.md) - Next month, NatCon 5 kicks off with a colorful crowd.
- [FEMA Workers Send “Katrina Declaration” To Congress](https://www.importantcontext.news/fema-workers-send-katrina-declaration.md) - Over 180 workers have signed a document warning of impending disaster due to Trump administration cuts.
- [HHS Employees Demand Changes From Kennedy, NIH Director Bhattacharya in New Response to CDC Shooting](https://www.importantcontext.news/hhs-workers-demand-changes-from-kennedy.md) - Hundreds of HHS employees are requesting their leaders stop promoting misinformation and endangering their lives.
- [‘Experts’ Cited By RFK Jr. to Justify mRNA Vaccine Funding Cut Have Ties to Anti-Vax Supplement Company](https://www.importantcontext.news/experts-cited-by-rfk-jr-to-justify.md) - Four authors of the non-peer reviewed, anti-vax bibliography cited by Kennedy’s HHS are involved with The Wellness Company.
- [NIH Director Spreads Vaccine Misinformation One Day After CDC Shooting](https://www.importantcontext.news/nih-director-spreads-vaccine-misinformation.md) - Jay Bhattacharya called to end the mRNA platform on Steve Bannon’s War Room.
- [Vinay Prasad Returns to FDA](https://www.importantcontext.news/vinay-prasad-returns-to-fda.md) - Within two weeks of his unceremonious departure, the COVID vaccine skeptic is back as the nation’s top vaccine regulator.
- [Another COVID Contrarian Working For the NIH Director](https://www.importantcontext.news/another-covid-contrarian-working.md) - Kevin Bardosh, who argued COVID boosters do more harm than good for young people, has been working in Jay Bhattacharya’s office for months.
- [”People Will Pay”: Anti-Vax Voices Rage At Prasad Ouster](https://www.importantcontext.news/people-will-pay-anti-vax-voices-rage.md) - There’s trouble in MAHA world.
- [Vinay Prasad Out At FDA Amid Right-Wing Push](https://www.importantcontext.news/vinay-prasad-out-at-fda-amid-right.md) - The departure of the contrarian public health official showcases contradictions in the MAHA movement.
- [FDA Continues to Recruit From the Fringes](https://www.importantcontext.news/fda-continues-to-recruit-from-the.md) - George Tidmarsh allied himself with medical contrarians. Now he’s the nation’s top drug regulator.
- [Promoters of Unproven COVID Lab Leak Narratives Join NIH](https://www.importantcontext.news/promoters-of-unproven-covid-lab-leak.md) - Virologists expressed concern over under-qualified ideologues joining Director Bhattacharya.
- [National Science Foundation Workers to Issue “Alexandria Declaration” Decrying “Catastrophic Changes” Under Trump Administration (UPDATED)](https://www.importantcontext.news/national-science-foundation-workers.md) - The new declaration echoes similar efforts from NIH and EPA.
- [HHS Asks Employees To Rat Out DEI “Discrimination” In Trollable Email](https://www.importantcontext.news/hhs-asks-employees-to-rat-out-dei.md) - “I wonder what movie script they will send,” one HHS source said at the prospect of people submitting fake responses.
- [EPA Workers Face Retaliation Over Dissent Declaration](https://www.importantcontext.news/epa-workers-face-retaliation-over.md) - On Monday, hundreds of EPA workers published a Declaration of Dissent criticizing their leadership. Now, they’re getting placed on leave pending review.
- [CDC Vaccine Advisors Share Anti-Vax Content Days After Official Meeting](https://www.importantcontext.news/cdc-vaccine-advisors-share-anti-vax.md) - Members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have been promoting misinformation on X for days.
- [EPA Staffers Demand Change in ‘Declaration of Dissent’](https://www.importantcontext.news/epa-staffers-demand-change-in-declaration.md) - “Today, we stand together in dissent against the current administration's focus on harmful deregulation, mischaracterization of previous EPA actions, and disregard for scientific expertise.”
- [NIH Fellows Union Endorses Bethesda Declaration Criticizing Agency Leadership](https://www.importantcontext.news/nih-fellows-union-endorses-bethesda.md) - “So far, the director has been unwilling or unable to deliver on his promises.”
- [Anti-vax Sentiment On Display At CDC Vaccine Panel](https://www.importantcontext.news/anti-vax-sentiment-on-display-at.md) - The meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices concluded with a vote to validate an unsupported anti-vaccine narrative.
- [Kennedy Stacks Critical Vaccine Panel With Anti-Vaxxers](https://www.importantcontext.news/kennedy-stacks-critical-vaccine-panel.md) - In a move that aligns with his own stance on science, the health secretary fires all 17 experts on an advisory panel in order to appoint fringe ideologues.
- [NIH Workers Demand Changes In New ‘Bethesda Declaration’](https://www.importantcontext.news/nih-workers-demand-changes-in-new.md) - The public letter to NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya was signed by hundreds of agency personnel.
- [“Out Of His Depth,” “Sold His Soul,” “Clueless”: NIH Staffers Speak Out About Director Bhattacharya](https://www.importantcontext.news/out-of-his-depth-sold-his-soul-clueless.md) - Widespread dissatisfaction over the NIH’s “continuous free fall” has people speaking out.
- [Senate GOP Ramps Up Attacks On COVID Vaccines Amid FDA Push](https://www.importantcontext.news/senate-gop-ramps-up-attacks-on-covid.md) - Sen. Ron Johnson’s Wednesday hearing on myocarditis was an anti-vax spectacle.
- [“I Believe It”: Bhattacharya Pushes Lab Leak Conspiracy At Contentious NIH Town Hall As Staffers Walk Out](https://www.importantcontext.news/i-believe-it-nih-director-pushes.md) - Dozens of staffers walked out when NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya promoted the unproven COVID origins story; others protested research cuts.
- [Trump’s New Surgeon General Pick Took Social Darwinist View Of Pandemic](https://www.importantcontext.news/trumps-new-surgeon-general-pick-had.md) - Wellness influencer Casey Means wrote that Americans needed to get healthy or risk death from COVID, calling the crisis “a Darwinian moment for America.”
- [Doubt-Peddling YouTube Doctor Named FDA’s New Vaccine Chief](https://www.importantcontext.news/vinay-prasad-named-fda-vaccine-chief.md) - Vinay Prasad has a long history of questioning the necessity, safety, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Now, he’s the FDA’s top vaccine regulator.
- [NIH Autism Research Grants in Hands of COVID Vaccine Doubters](https://www.importantcontext.news/nih-autism-research-grants-in-hands.md) - The NIH director has teamed up with an old colleague who previously worked at an anti-vaccine group.
- [The Contrarian At The CDC Vaccine Policy Meeting](https://www.importantcontext.news/the-contrarian-at-the-cdc-vaccine.md) - Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg used her time at the critical ACIP meeting to cast doubt on vaccines.
- [Kennedy’s (Former) Anti-Vax Group Running Interference On Measles](https://www.importantcontext.news/kennedys-former-anti-vax-group-running.md) - The recent measles outbreaks are a headache for the HHS secretary, but his allies have been sowing doubt for weeks.
- [The FDA Goes Fringe: What You Need to Know About the Agency’s New Hire](https://www.importantcontext.news/the-fda-goes-fringe-what-you.md) - Tracy Beth Høeg has been a far-right favorite for her COVID contrarianism.
- [Trump’s Got a New FDA Chief and NIH Director. They’ve Been Getting Public Health Wrong For Years.](https://www.importantcontext.news/trumps-got-a-new-fda-chief-and-nih.md) - Donald Trump’s new public health officials have long histories of making false and misleading statements related to science.
- [“The Great Birdington Declaration”: The Origins of Kennedy’s Avian Flu Herd Immunity Plan Explained](https://www.importantcontext.news/the-great-birdington-declaration.md) - The idea of letting a dangerous pathogen rip for herd immunity emerged out of right-wing efforts to reopen the economy at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- [Chris Rufo’s Big Right-Wing Score](https://www.importantcontext.news/chris-rufos-big-right-wing-score.md) - The right-wing operative landed a huge prize from a major right-wing funder.
- [Ivermectin Doctors Launch New Medical Journal](https://www.importantcontext.news/ivermectin-doctors-launch-new-medical.md) - It is the latest dark money-fueled publication stacked with fringe doctors with ties to the Trump administration.
- [“So much for MAHA”: Anti-Vaxxers Fume Over Kennedy Op-Ed Touting Measles Vaccine](https://www.importantcontext.news/imposter-anti-vaxxers-fume-over-kennedy.md) - The anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist acknowledged that the MMR vaccine saves lives in an op-ed His supporters are not happy.
- [Trump Pick for NIH Director: Vaccines May Cause Autism, Alternative Schedules Okay](https://www.importantcontext.news/trump-nih-director-pick-said-vaccines.md) - Jay Bhattacharya made the remarks on a podcast in September, weeks before being nominated to lead the NIH.
- [Oversight?: Trump NIH Pick Fails to Include Big Award From Major Right-Wing Group On Financial Disclosure](https://www.importantcontext.news/oversight-trump-nih-pick-fails-to.md) - Jay Bhattacharya won the $250,000 Bradley Prize in 2024 but did not include it in his government filing.
- [Trump’s Withdrawal of Proposed PFAS Regulation Evidences Project 2025 Influence](https://www.importantcontext.news/trumps-withdrawal-of-proposed-pfas.md) - Using similar language to Project 2025, Trump’s Day-One regulatory freeze rolls back regulation to PFAS discharge.
- [Trump White House Cites Fringe Doctor to Defend Research Cuts](https://www.importantcontext.news/trump-white-house-cites-fringe-doctor.md) - UCSF professor Vinay Prasad emerges as rationalizer-in-chief for Trump’s NIH cuts
- [“A New Academic Publishing Model”: Right-Wing Dark Money Group Launches Fringe Medical Journal](https://www.importantcontext.news/a-new-academic-publishing-model-right.md) - The right-wing RealClear Foundation’s foray into public health has been called “a mockery of scientific process.”
- [About that Vaccine Study RFK Cited At His Confirmation Hearing](https://www.importantcontext.news/about-that-vaccine-study-rfk-cited.md) - Kennedy used a study from his allies to defend his discredited claims about vaccines and autism.
- [A Canadian Province Released a COVID Report Full of Pseudoscience. Who Wrote It, and Why?](https://www.importantcontext.news/a-canadian-province-released-a-covid.md) - Donald Trump’s NIH pick was among the authors of a report that recommended discontinuing the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines.
- [Mike Pence’s Dark Money Group and Leonard Leo’s Baffling Strategy to Tank Kennedy Confirmation Over Abortion](https://www.importantcontext.news/mike-pences-dark-money-group-and.md) - Advancing American Freedom published a letter urging the Senate to reject Kennedy.
- [Ivermectin Doctors Rebrand and Rally for Kennedy Confirmation](https://www.importantcontext.news/ivermectin-doctors-rebrand-and-rally.md) - Frontline COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance is rebranding for the anti-vaxxer’s Senate confirmation battle.
- [Trump’s Acting NIH Director Cast Doubt On COVID Vaccines At Event Full Of Corporate Allies](https://www.importantcontext.news/trumps-acting-nih-director-cast-doubt.md) - Dr. Matthew Memoli made the comments during a panel discussion with Trump’s current NIH pick and his former COVID adviser.
- [Right-Wing Dark Money Pushed For Trump’s WHO Exit](https://www.importantcontext.news/right-wing-dark-money-pushed-for.md) - Nonprofits funded by wealthy individuals have been working to undermine global health.
- [Biden Administration Pandemic Roadmap Reflects Right-Wing Pressure](https://www.importantcontext.news/biden-administration-pandemic-roadmap.md) - In touting its public health record, the White House revealed its compromises.
- [As California Burns, Here’s What You Need to Know About Trump EPA Pick](https://www.importantcontext.news/as-california-burns-heres-what-you.md) - Former NY congressman Lee Zeldin has a mixed record but is loyal to Trump.
- [Right-Wing Operatives, Anti-Vax Groups Already Working to Politicize Bird Flu](https://www.importantcontext.news/right-wing-operatives-anti-vax-groups.md) - Many of the same people who successfully politicized COVID-19 are gearing up for round two.
- [Trump NIH Pick Pushed Ivermectin Conspiracy Theory in Documentary Linked to Chinese Cult](https://www.importantcontext.news/trump-nih-pick-pushed-ivermectin.md) - Jay Bhattacharya made remarks supportive of the discredited COVID treatment in a film released this year.
- [Here’s How Much UnitedHealth Group and Other Major Insurers Spent Influencing Both Parties This Cycle](https://www.importantcontext.news/heres-how-much-unitedhealth-group.md) - Health insurance giants poured millions into politics.
- [From the Front Lines to the Fringes: What You Need to Know About Donald Trump’s Surgeon General Pick](https://www.importantcontext.news/from-the-front-lines-to-the-fringes.md) - Dr. Janette Nesheiwat went from the mainstream to promoting hydroxychloroquine, encouraging vaccine hesitancy, and selling supplements.
- [The Climate Disinformation Machine at Work at COP29](https://www.importantcontext.news/the-climate-disinformation-machine.md) - Beyond the 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists currently in Baku, COP29 is attended by over a hundred members of climate disinformation organizations across all levels.
- [How Dr. Oz Hyped Trump’s COVID Snake Oil](https://www.importantcontext.news/how-dr-oz-hyped-trumps-covid-snake.md) - Now he’s Trump’s pick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- [Everything You Need to Know About Donald Trump’s FDA Pick](https://www.importantcontext.news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cce.md) - Johns Hopkins surgeon Marty Makary has spent years promoting fringe pandemic views and attacking the U.S. government.
- [Right-Wing and Medical Fringe Celebrate Kennedy HHS Nomination](https://www.importantcontext.news/right-wing-and-medical-fringe-celebrates.md) - Contrarians have been quick to congratulate the notorious anti-vaxxer on his nomination, touting a “realignment.”
- [Everything You Need to Know About Donald Trump’s NIH Pick](https://www.importantcontext.news/everything-you-need-to-know-about.md) - Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is a loud voice from the fringes.
- [The Invisible Hand: How Dark Money Is Inventing Prestige for Right-Wing Academics](https://www.importantcontext.news/invisible-hand-new-group-awarding.md) - The American Academy of Sciences and Letters sounds prestigious, but is it really?
- [Who’s Speaking At the 2024 Brownstone Institute Conference?](https://www.importantcontext.news/who-is-speaking-the-2024-brownstone.md) - This year’s fringe fest shows the extent of the anti-science group’s influence.
- [Important Context Cited On ‘Conspirituality’ Podcast](https://www.importantcontext.news/important-context-cited-on-conspirituality.md) - Did you listen yet?
- [Pro-COVID UK Charity With Anti-Vax Ties Behind Controversial Stanford Health Policy Conference](https://www.importantcontext.news/pro-covid-uk-charity-with-anti-vax.md) - Collateral Global’s fight against pandemic mitigation measures has gone international.
- [Emory Welcomes Contrarian Doctor Who Questions COVID Vaccines and Praises RFK Jr.](https://www.importantcontext.news/emory-welcomes-contrarian-doctor.md) - “How ‘ethical’ is inviting someone like that?”
- [A Koch-Funded Lawfare Group Is Suing The Biden Admin To Protect Vaccine Skepticism](https://www.importantcontext.news/koch-funded-litigation-outfit-goes.md) - New Civil Liberties Alliance is back again.
- [Stanford University To Welcome Vaccine Skepticism, Epoch Times At Upcoming Health Policy Conference](https://www.importantcontext.news/stanford-university-to-welcome-fringe.md) - The controversial summit just got a lot more controversial.
- [The Gauntlet x Important Context](https://www.importantcontext.news/the-gauntlet-x-important-context.md) - A recording from Walker Bragman and Julia Doubleday's live video
- [Who’s Behind Pro-COVID, Anti-Trans Dark Money Group Promoted By Moms for Liberty?](https://www.importantcontext.news/whos-behind-new-pro-covid-anti-trans.md) - New York-based Restore Childhood is flush with big money allies.
- [Johns Hopkins to Hold “Fringe,” Dark Money Heavy COVID Summit](https://www.importantcontext.news/johns-hopkins-holds-fringe-right.md) - “This meeting has nothing to do with genuine improvements in public health policy.”
- [‘Embarrassing and Disappointing’: Stanford Goes All-In On COVID Contrarians](https://www.importantcontext.news/embarrassing-and-disappointing-stanford.md) - An upcoming conference held in the name of academic freedom raises questions about academic rigor.
- [Right-Wing Broadcasters Sold Media Hits to Supporters of a Chinese Fraudster](https://www.importantcontext.news/right-wing-broadcasters-sold-media.md) - How backers of MAGA mogul Guo Wengui purchased television and radio appearances.
- [Important Context in The Nation This Week](https://www.importantcontext.news/important-context-in-the-nation-this.md) - Important Context’s Walker Bragman co-authored an op-ed with Yale epidemiologist Gregg Gonsalves About COVID-19.
- [Could Democrats Actually Replace Joe Biden? Is the Heritage Foundation Violating the Law? What Reforms Do We Need? Campaign Finance Law Expert Weighs In](https://www.importantcontext.news/could-democrats-actually-replace.md) - Walker Bragman speaks with Brendan Fischer, the deputy executive director Documented.
- [Biden v. Roosevelt: How Two Democratic Presidents Handled a Hostile Supreme Court](https://www.importantcontext.news/biden-v-roosevelt-how-two-democratic.md) - How does a president address judicial overreach?
- [Misinformation Spreaders, Dark Money Groups Lament Major Defeat At Supreme Court](https://www.importantcontext.news/online-misinformation-spreaders-suffer.md) - Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s majority opinion in Murthy v. Missouri rejected a dubious legal theory aimed at crippling the government’s ability to combat online misinformation.
- [Heritage For Sale: Investigating the Business of Selling Indigenous Artifacts](https://www.importantcontext.news/heritage-for-sale-investigating-the.md) - In spite of existing laws and efforts by Indigenous Nations for repatriation, Native American artifacts are still sold online and in auction houses as commodities.
- [What You Need to Know About the WHO Pandemic Treaty With Georgetown Law Professor Lawrence Gostin](https://www.importantcontext.news/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-who.md) - Professor Gostin, who has been involved in the negotiations, shares his insights.
- [Queer, Trans Advocate Andy Izenson Wants to Take Us Back to Our Roots](https://www.importantcontext.news/queer-trans-advocate-andy-izenson.md) - What happens when we go beneath the surface?
- [“I’m Not Sure What to Make of It”: Zionist Jews and Far-Right Rally Together](https://www.importantcontext.news/im-not-sure-what-to-make-of-it-zionist.md) - Pro-Palestinian student demonstrations have seen an unlikely alliance between Israel-supporting Jews and far-right extremists.
- [The Big Money Behind Chris Rufo’s Right-Wing Agitating](https://www.importantcontext.news/the-big-money-behind-chris-rufos.md) - “I ❤️ billionaires,” the far-right activist said.
- [INTERVIEW: Yale Professor Speaks Out About Pro-Palestine Student Protests](https://www.importantcontext.news/interview-yale-professor-speaks-out.md) - Important Context interviewed Professor Gregg Gonsalves about the student demonstrations and more.
- [Fidelity Charitable Once Again Allowing Donations to UNRWA](https://www.importantcontext.news/fidelity-charitable-once-again-allowing.md) - The move comes less than two weeks out from a report by Important Context and Rolling Stone on the ban.
- [COVID Contrarian Doctor Scores Big With Far-Right Funding](https://www.importantcontext.news/covid-contrarian-doctor-scores-big.md) - Stanford’s Dr. Jay Bhattacharya just won a major prize from one of the most powerful right-wing foundations in America.
- [Major U.S. Charity Blocks Donations to Gaza Relief Agency Amid Starvation](https://www.importantcontext.news/major-us-charity-blocks-donations.md) - Fidelity Charitable has cut off support to UNRWA, Gaza’s primary relief agency, while still allowing donations to pro-Israel groups and hate.
- [Kennedy VP Pick Goes Mask-Off Anti-Vax](https://www.importantcontext.news/kennedy-vp-pick-goes-mask-off-anti.md) - Nicole Shanahan suggested the Moderna mRNA COVID vaccine should be recalled.
- [Fmr. State Department Official: White House Not “Sufficiently Grappling With the Reality” In Gaza Conflict](https://www.importantcontext.news/fmr-state-department-official-white.md) - Dr. Annelle Sheline resigned from her role in the Biden administration over its unconditional support for Israel. Now she's speaking out.
- [“Unbought” Kennedy Chooses Major Financial Backer For Running Mate](https://www.importantcontext.news/unbought-kennedy-chooses-major-financial.md) - The anti-vaccine presidential candidate faces a costly fight to get on the ballot.
- [Concentration Camps, Transphobia, and Election Denial: Anti-Vaccine Groups Rally Outside Supreme Court In Defense of Misinformation](https://www.importantcontext.news/anti-vaccine-groups-rally-outside.md) - The groups are hoping the court’s right-wing justices deliver a crippling blow to government efforts to combat online misinformation.
- [WATCH: Interview With Molecular Biologist Philipp Markolin on COVID Origins](https://www.importantcontext.news/video-interview-molecular-biologist.md) - Most Americans today believe that novel coronavirus escaped from a Chinese lab, but what does the evidence say?
- [Who’s Funding AIPAC’s Political Spending Barrage?](https://www.importantcontext.news/whos-funding-aipacs-political-spending.md) - Here are the tech industry founders, Republican megadonors and others funding AIPAC and its closely-tied allies this election cycle.
- [Major Dem Group Funnels Millions From Charity to ‘Dark Money’ Arm](https://www.importantcontext.news/major-dem-group-funnels-millions.md) - The operations of Priorities USA highlights a glaring loophole with current rules regulating nonprofits.
- [Exclusive: Congressman Ro Khanna Talks Yemen, Gaza, and War Powers (Paid Subscribers)](https://www.importantcontext.news/exclusive-congressman-ro-khanna-talks.md) - Important Context spoke with Rep. Ro Khanna about a Gaza Ceasefire and the U.S. strikes in Yemen.
- [Lobbied By Impacted Industries, White House Killed COVID Travel Rule](https://www.importantcontext.news/lobbied-by-impacted-industries-white.md) - The change highlights how, at key points, the Biden administration's pandemic policy aligned with big business.
- [Fueled By Mystery Donors, COVID Conspiracy Group Grew Budget Last Year](https://www.importantcontext.news/fueled-by-mystery-donors-covid-conspiracy.md) - The Brownstone Institute raked in sizable, untraceable donations.
- [Why We are Republishing Osama bin Laden's "Letter to the American People"](https://www.importantcontext.news/osama-bin-ladens-letter-to-the-american.md) - 9/11 changed the world irrevocably and the document is part of the historical record.
- [AIPAC Dems Join GOP to Censure Tlaib Over Israel Comments](https://www.importantcontext.news/aipac-dems-join-gop-to-censure-tlaib.md) - Only four of the 22 Democrats to support censuring Tlaib had not taken AIPAC money last cycle.
- [America’s Biggest Charities Bankrolled RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vax Outfit](https://www.importantcontext.news/americas-biggest-charities-bankrolled.md) - Children’s Health Defense and other groups promoting vaccine misinformation discreetly raked in money from anonymous donors through some of the largest charities in the country.
- [“Extremely Online” with Taylor Lorenz](https://www.importantcontext.news/extremely-online-with-taylor-lorenz.md) - Important Context spoke with the Washington Post reporter, whose new book is making waves.
- [Big News!](https://www.importantcontext.news/big-news.md) - Important Context has a new home
- [COVID Denial's Second Act: Climate Change Denial](https://www.importantcontext.news/covid-denialists-next-act-climate.md) - With the pandemic emergency declared officially over, public health opponents have found a new target for their conspiracy theories.
- [Judges Keep Questioning Herd Immunity Advocate’s Credibility](https://www.importantcontext.news/judges-keep-questioning-herd-immunity.md) - "At this stage of the proceedings, the Court is simply unwilling to trust Dr. Bhattacharya."
- [Blood Money: How America’s Biggest Charities Are Bankrolling Hate Groups Without Anyone Noticing](https://www.importantcontext.news/blood-money-how-americas-biggest.md) - Charities tied to America’s largest investment firms, including Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab, are giving millions to hate groups each year.
- [We Want Them Infected: New Book Takes Aim At Pandemic Misinformation Doctors](https://www.importantcontext.news/we-want-them-infected-new-book-takes.md) - Walker Bragman interviewed Dr. Howard about his new book from Redhawk Publications
- [Who is Funding the Brownstone Institute?](https://www.importantcontext.news/who-is-funding-the-brownstone-institute.md) - New tax filings provide some clarity about the funders of the prolific COVID-19 conspiracy outfit.
- [Who Pays For Right-Wing Media?](https://www.importantcontext.news/who-pays-for-conservative-media.md) - In 2021, big money flowed to some of the biggest names in right-wing and libertarian media from billionaire-backed foundations and funds.
- [In Current Affairs This Week: A Personal Note](https://www.importantcontext.news/in-current-affairs-this-week-a-personal.md) - Thank you for your continued support for Important Context
- [Major ”Grassroots” Parents’ Rights Group Rakes in Big Right-Wing Money](https://www.importantcontext.news/major-grassroots-parents-rights-group.md) - Parents Defending Education scored hundreds of thousands of dollars from major conservative foundations and funds.
- [Leaked Brownstone Institute Emails Reveal Support for Child Labor, Underage Smoking](https://www.importantcontext.news/leaked-brownstone-institute-emails.md) - “Maybe I have a tin ear but I can't really see the issue here."
- [Chinese Dissident Secretly Recruited Right-Wing Writers to Publish Flattering Articles](https://www.importantcontext.news/chinese-dissident-secretly-recruited.md) - The fugitive Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui found prominent conservatives to launder his image.
- [Michelle Obama and COVID-Minimizing Economist Hawk Kids' Drinks](https://www.importantcontext.news/michelle-obama-and-covid-minimizing.md) - The former first lady has tapped Brown University professor Emily Oster to advise her new beverage company.
- [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Homecoming](https://www.importantcontext.news/robert-f-kennedy-jrs-pandemic-cash.md) - Throughout the pandemic, the anti-vaccine activist raked in cash and cultivated right-wing allies. Now he's running for president with a new support base.
- ["Koch Funded Hack" Goes to Congress](https://www.importantcontext.news/koch-funded-hack-goes-to-congress.md) - Rep. Jim Jordan has poached talent from the New Civil Liberties Alliance.
- [Peter Thiel's Secretive Spending](https://www.importantcontext.news/peter-thiels-secretive-spending.md) - Tax records reveal that the Thiel Foundation gave millions to a shadowy right-wing fund in 2021.
- [Livestream Tonight: Important Context Joins Debunk The Funk With Dr. Wilson](https://www.importantcontext.news/livestream-tonight-important-context.md) - The pair will react to the launch of a GOP-led congressional investigation into the U.S. pandemic response
- [Pfizer Spends Big on IP Lobbying With Billions On the Line](https://www.importantcontext.news/pfizer-spends-big-on-ip-lobbying.md) - The pharmaceutical giant spent big bucks amid key international negotiations last year to protect record earnings.
- [“Grassroots” Parents’ Rights Group Gets Big Mystery Money](https://www.importantcontext.news/grassroots-parents-rights-group-gets.md) - Moms for Liberty has quickly gained national prominence, thanks to a handful of shadowy donors.
- [New Scientist Group Calling For Pandemic Answers Has Ties to Right-Wing Dark Money](https://www.importantcontext.news/new-scientist-group-calling-for-pandemic.md) - The Norfolk Group purports to be a group of independent experts, but familiar faces suggest a broader agenda.
- [Jimmy Dore's 'Very Pro-Employer' Work Contracts](https://www.importantcontext.news/jimmy-dore-anti-worker-contracts.md) - An independent contractor agreement used by the YouTuber’s production company reveals anti-worker provisions.
- [Changes At COVID Conspiracy Nonprofit Follow Important Context Report](https://www.importantcontext.news/story-developments.md) - The Brownstone Institute appears to have parted ways with one of its fellows after a report by Important Context highlighted public calls for violence.
- [Big Mystery Donors Fund COVID Conspiracy Nonprofit](https://www.importantcontext.news/big-mystery-donors-fund-covid-conspiracy.md) - Nine large donations make up most of the 2021 budget of the Brownstone Institute, which is led by a man with a neo-Confederate past.
- [Candace Owens’ ‘Blexit’ Operation Bankrolled By Wealthy White Conservatives](https://www.importantcontext.news/candace-owens-blexit-operation-bankrolled.md) - White, right-wing billionaires bought into Owen’s effort to bring Black Democrats into the Republican Party, but the results are surely disappointing.
- [Elon Musk's New Twitter Files Reporter Has Ties to Great Barrington Declaration](https://www.importantcontext.news/musk-great-barrington-declaration-reporter.md) - The writer at the center of Musk’s latest dump promoted a controversial herd immunity document.

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