Politics
Needling RFK Jr.: Cartoons on Vaccines and Health Policy
By CM Chaney · September 4, 2026
RFK Jr. brought his anti-vaccine crusade to the halls of government as HHS Secretary. Thirty editorial cartoons trace how America went from protecting children with mandatory vaccines to watching measles make a devastating comeback in 2026.
RFK Jr. MAHA Mocked by Grim Reaper
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues promoting Make America Healthy Again initiatives tied to his anti-vaccine positions in mid-2026. The approach draws criticism for linking public health measures to eugenics concerns and undermining scientific consensus. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr portrayed with measles rash in Profiles in Contagion parody
The cartoon depicts Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with a face covered in red spots resembling measles. Large text on the right reads Profiles in Contagion, styled as a horror story by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The image uses the visual of spots to connect the subject's public positions on vaccines to the spread of disease. Cagle Cartoons
Spotted family image ties vaccine refusal to community spread
The image from February 2015 shows a family seated on a green couch, all marked with red dots resembling measles symptoms. A dog at their feet shares the markings. A large speech bubble above reads that the family that anti-vaxes together infects the community together. Cagle Cartoons
Cartoon depicts anti-vaccine celebrities as devils amid measles concerns and California legislation
Daryl Cagle's June 23, 2019 cartoon shows five celebrities standing in a row with horns, tails and red arrows pointing downward. Each holds a yellow sign promoting informed consent, vaccine choice or risk awareness. Jessica Biel, Bill Maher, Jenny McCarthy, Jim Carrey and RFK Jr. are identified by name. Cagle Cartoons
Trump and RFK Jr. depicted with rash in vaccine-related cartoon
The cartoon shows Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shirtless and covered in orange spots resembling a rash. Trump speaks from a bubble stating they will infect the country like never before. Published on August 26 2024 the image responds to RFK Jr.'s recent endorsement of Trump and ongoing debates over vaccines and public health policy. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. floats alone as Kennedy family ship sails with Biden
The cartoon depicts Robert F. Kennedy Jr. adrift in a life preserver labeled RFK Jr. 2024 while a large ship marked Biden 2024 and Kennedy Clan steams away. RFK Jr. says he is sure they will circle back. The image responds to the Kennedy family's public endorsement of President Biden's reelection and their opposition to RFK Jr. Cagle Cartoons
Cartoon contrasts school vaccine rules with concert COVID checks
The April 2021 cartoon by Adam Zyglis depicts a father and daughter presenting a vaccination record at a school, where the administrator asks for proof and the man agrees. In the lower panel the same man, now masked and agitated, rejects a similar request for COVID vaccination proof at a concert hall. Cagle Cartoons
Shady Dealer Offers Fake Vaccination Cards Amid Mandates
The cartoon shows a trench-coated dealer whispering offers of dirty pictures, drugs and fake vaccination cards to a young man in a suit. Pockets on the coat display rows of cards. The image responds to the summer 2021 surge in COVID cases and the spread of requirements for vaccination proof at events and for air travel. Cagle Cartoons
Kids Use Measles Makeup to Spook Anti-Vaccine Neighbor on Halloween
A two-panel cartoon by Bruce Plante shows children at a doorstep on Halloween. In the first panel, a frightened man in a tank top recoils from the door while holding a jack-o'-lantern. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. Turns HHS Into Anti-Vax Slot Machine in New Cartoon
The cartoon shows Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a carnival barker beside an HHS-labeled slot machine titled Anti-Vax Quackery. Reels display hepatitis B, polio and measles outcomes marked with skull symbols alongside a question mark for mumps. A pregnant woman stands to the right while Kennedy gestures toward an insert baby here slot. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. Caricature Contrasts Vision Quote with Anti-Vaccine Stance
The January 31 2025 cartoon by Ratt responds to RFK Jr.'s Senate confirmation hearing for HHS secretary. It contrasts a famous quote from his father RFK senior with a caricature of the nominee featuring a brain worm emerging from his ear and an anti-vaccine symbol on his shirt. Cagle Cartoons
Trump and Measles Virus Toast to Ukraine Surrender and RFK Jr. HHS Role
The cartoon depicts Donald Trump raising a glass with a personified measles virus. Trump holds a sign reading Trump Dumps Ukraine while the virus displays confirmation of RFK Jr. as HHS secretary. Speech bubbles show both figures toasting to winning. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. Antivax Views Fuel Disease Outbreaks and Hospital Profits
The cartoon depicts a virus-like figure seated at an office desk surrounded by pathogens, reacting positively to RFK Jr.'s influence on health policy. The caption highlights booming business from disease spread. Published March 6, 2025, it responds to RFK Jr.'s nomination for a top health role and recent measles cases in Texas. Cagle Cartoons
Man with measles spots holds rising cases chart
A figure covered in red spots holds a paper titled MEASLES CASES ON THE RISE showing an upward graph. A thermometer rests in the mouth while a yellow sign urges viewers to CONNECT THE DOTS. The scene appeared on April 30 2025 amid ongoing measles discussions. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. Urges Vitamins as Measles Vaccination Milestone Passes
The cartoon depicts Robert F. Kennedy Jr., identified as HHS secretary, with a panicked expression and a speech bubble urging vitamins. Large yellow text on the left recalls more than 60 years of effective measles vaccination. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. proposes rebranding CDC amid vaccine policy shifts
The cartoon by Dave Whamond shows Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS secretary announcing a CDC name change to Center for Diseases Circulating. Staff appear alarmed at the shift. It responds to recent moves dismissing vaccine experts from ACIP and casting doubt on immunizations amid measles outbreaks. Cagle Cartoons
Measles vaccine line contrasts with tin foil hat stall for skeptics
A political cartoon depicts two parallel lines of people. One queue leads to a measles vaccine sign while the other approaches a stall selling tin foil hats labeled as electromagnetic shields for skeptics. The vendor wears a flat earth shirt. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. Rides Grim Reaper Labeled Disease in Health Cartoon
The cartoon depicts Robert F. Kennedy Jr. riding on the back of the Grim Reaper, whose cloak is labeled DISEASE and features a CDC logo. RFK Jr. smiles and shouts FASTER! FASTER! as the figure runs forward holding a scythe. Cagle Cartoons
Florida Vaccine Mandate Shift Draws National Attention
A map of the United States highlights Florida in red with dark spots. Two figures appear near the state, one in casual attire and one in a lab coat. Speech bubbles read No Vaccine Mandates in the State of Florida? and Can We Just Tie Them Off??. Cagle Cartoons
Grim Reaper eyes opening at CDC amid RFK Jr nomination worries
The cartoon depicts an elderly man and woman reacting to news of RFK Jr's nomination to lead the CDC. The man sweats while reading the paper as the Grim Reaper stands beside him holding a resume and asking about an opening. A speech bubble from the man expresses fear that removing RFK Jr would only lead to a worse replacement. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. Depicted Offering Anti-Vax Message from Unmarked Van
The cartoon shows a caricature of RFK Jr. leaning from a van marked ANTI-VAX with a license plate reading NUTZ. He holds a virus symbol while a mother urges two wary children to accept what she calls free candy from the stranger. The scene draws on common safety warnings to frame the anti-vaccine message. Cagle Cartoons
North Carolina Measles Surge Tied to Local Anti-Vax Stance, Not Border Crossings
A political cartoon by John Cole depicts a North Carolina man blaming border crossers for bringing diseases, only to learn the measles outbreak stems from local anti-vax resistance in South Carolina. The image responds to rising measles cases tied to vaccine hesitancy rather than immigration. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. MAHA Cap Towers Over Children Amid Measles Dots in Kuper Drawing
The drawing shows a massive head resembling Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wearing a red MAHA cap. Small children scale the figure while red dots scatter across the background. The composition ties the Make America Healthy Again slogan to rising measles cases. It responds to ongoing debates over vaccination policy and parental choices in early 2026. Cagle Cartoons
Librarian directs RFK Jr. immunization query to fiction section in new cartoon
A political cartoon shows a man inquiring about books on RFK Jr's immunization expertise in a library. The librarian directs him to the fiction section. The image comments on debates surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s role in health policy and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Cagle Cartoons
RFK Jr. Pushes Raw Milk as Cyclospora Outbreak Hits Amid Inspector Cuts
The cartoon shows a disheveled Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emerging from a doorway holding a jar marked MAHA and urging raw milk consumption while a worm appears near his face. Uncle Sam sits on a toilet with pants at his ankles, head in hands, next to a newspaper reporting a cyclospora outbreak tied to food inspector cuts. Cagle Cartoons