'F*ck you': Stephen Colbert loses it over RFK Jr cutting $500 million in mRNA vaccine funding

Late-night TV host Stephen Colbert flew off the handle on his show Wednesday, criticizing Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr for winding down mRNA vaccine development.

"There’s bad news of fans of living because Health Secretary RFK Jr just pulled $500 million in funding from vaccine development," Colbert told his audience. "Now, we have 10 more months of this show, and I want to give a measured, nonpartisan response here: f*ck you, you roid-addled nepo-carnie," he said, holding up a middle finger to the camera.

While some final-stage projects will be allowed to finish their work, "no new mRNA-based projects will be initiated," HHS said in a press release. "In total, this affects 22 projects worth nearly $500 million."

"We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. BARDA [Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority] is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate," said Secretary Kennedy.

Colbert said, "Bobby Jr is nixing 22 projects that use mRNA technology. But that’s the latest vaccine technology. That’s like saying, 'kids, I’m turning off the GPS. We’re gonna make our way to Six Flags by using the stars. Hand daddy the sextant." 

After playing a clip of Kennedy defending the decision, Colbert said, once again flipping off the camera, "counterpoint, f*ck you, you roadkill-munching, luddite human Slim Jim. You’re gonna kill people."

Colbert went on to tout the vaccine, saying that the National Institutes of Health said the vaccine "prevented an estimated 14.4 million deaths. Why on earth is RFK Jr so anxious to fill our streets with dead bodies?" Colbert played a video of RFK Jr with his ravens, and said, "ah right, I forgot, I forgot. They do love the eyeballs."

Colbert has been a huge proponent of the vaccines, even undertaking a vaccine dance during a 2021 portion of a recurring segment titled "The Vax-Scene." It featured Colbert surrounded by dancers in vaccine syringe costumes, who later went out into the crowd, and chants of "vaccine" to the tune of the song Tequila. The segment was widely panned, with podcaster Joe Rogan saying, "That was strange. I want to be in the meeting when they pitch that...I'd be like, 'where's the joke?"