Washington, D.C. – U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his entrance at the Make America Healthy Again summit held at the Waldorf Astoria on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Although he was not scheduled to address the gathering until 5 p.m. alongside Vice President JD Vance, his presence generated significant discussion regarding his financial dealings.
A report released on Sept. 23 disclosed that Kennedy received $4 million in book advances over the past year from supporters linked to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. This revelation attracted scrutiny, particularly since Kennedy had previously assured federal ethics officials that he would refrain from any publishing activities during his tenure in government.
In a 2024 ethics filing, he stated unequivocally, “I will not engage in writing, editing, marketing or promotional services for any of these books during government service.” The payments he received are associated with upcoming titles from Skyhorse Publishing, a company owned by his friend Tony Lyons. MAHA Center, a nonprofit governed by Lyons, aims to tackle the nation’s health issues.
Kennedy has authored a number of books through Skyhorse, including “The Real Anthony Fauci” and “The Wuhan Cover-Up,” both of which align closely with the anti-establishment sentiments that have become central to the MAHA movement he leads. Critics suggest that the intricate links between Kennedy’s publishing ventures and his political role cast a shadow over his compliance with ethical standards.
The MAHA Action group, another nonprofit connected to Lyons, reportedly paid $210,000 in consulting fees to Kennedy’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines. Kathleen Clark, a government ethics expert at Washington University in St. Louis, expressed concern, noting the dissonance in Kennedy’s acceptance of such large advances for books he committed not to write while serving as Health Secretary.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services insisted that Kennedy adheres to all relevant federal ethics laws and regulations. According to the spokesperson, career ethics officials within the department assist Kennedy in transparently managing his financial interests and obligations.
In addition to the publishing payments, Kennedy’s financial disclosures also reveal that he received substantial gifts from longtime friend Gavin de Becker. These include $126,500 worth of housing and nearly $45,000 for airfare to Greece, with another $97,000 for trips to de Becker’s residence in Fiji. Kennedy’s political action committee saw significant financial activity, receiving at least $10 million from de Becker in 2024, though roughly $9.65 million of that was returned.
As Kennedy’s financial activities come under examination, Kedric Payne, an ethics attorney at the Campaign Legal Center, pointed out that public clarity surrounding such gifts and their potential impacts on government decisions is essential. He emphasized that unlike gifts from longstanding friends, those from major political contributors warrant heightened scrutiny.
Despite ongoing concerns about his financial disclosures, Kennedy’s late filing and subsequent revisions raised additional questions. A federal ethics filing unveiled on Sept. 24 indicated that Kennedy earned $326,056 in salary and bonuses from Children’s Health Defense prior to his appointment as Health Secretary. Accusations of ethical breaches have been levied against him, claiming he has actively promoted his own book on social media, alongside accepting substantial gifts.
At the MAHA summit, Kennedy was expected to highlight the movement’s goals. His recent remarks at a conference held by Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine organization he co-founded, underscored his commitment to a health agenda that resonates with that community. “Let me be clear. You have a strong and steadfast friend at the White House,” Kennedy stated, aligning himself closely with the group’s sentiments.
As the summit unfolded, senior advisers and regulatory officials were set to participate in discussions addressing the future of health regulations under the MAHA framework. Notably, many prominent media outlets were reportedly denied press credentials for the event, contributing to speculation regarding transparency and media relations surrounding the summit and Kennedy’s increasing political prominence.