‘I Genuinely Am Upset That Your Kids Are Vaccinated’
The Atlantic
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Del Bigtree, a prominent anti-vaccine advocate and ally of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has gained notoriety for his extreme views, including promoting the idea that children should contract diseases like polio and measles instead of receiving vaccines. As detailed in a recent article, Bigtree’s rhetoric centers on discouraging vaccination, claiming that vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they prevent. His actions have had significant real-world consequences, contributing to outbreaks of preventable illnesses like measles, which claimed the lives of two unvaccinated children in West Texas last year.
Bigtree’s influence stems from his media platform and nonprofit work. He produced *Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe*, a documentary that falsely accused the CDC of suppressing evidence of vaccine harms, helping to fuel the modern anti-vaccine movement. Through his weekly show, *The HighWire With Del Bigtree*, he has raised millions for the Informed Consent Action Network, which fights against school vaccine mandates. Bigtree’s impact expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he downplayed the virus and promoted conspiracy theories about masks and the origins of the coronavirus. His audience grew significantly, particularly on platforms like Rumble, where he continues to spread controversial views.
Bigtree’s influence is not just limited to online audiences; it has also impacted local communities. At his son’s Waldorf school in Austin, Bigtree’s anti-vaccine stance resonated with some parents, leading to the creation of a new unvaccinated-friendly school. However, his promotion of dangerous ideas—such as measles being a “common childhood illness”—has had deadly consequences. His rhetoric has contributed to vaccine hesitancy, which experts warn is one of the greatest threats to public health today. By challenging established medical authority and spreading
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Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/24/2026