Sheryl Gay Stolberg
@sherylnyt.bsky.social
Covering RFK Jr., MAHA, health policy & politics for @nytimes. Former Congress & White House Correspondent (Bush & Obama). Peloton aficionado, amateur painter, dog lover, mom. Tips: stolberg@nytimes.com
Idea for a White House commission to control NIH grant approvals seems dead for now. Weekend stories created an uproar on the Hill. Bhattacharya and Vought are trying to sing kumbaya. w/ @by-cjewett.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/u...
Trump Backtracks on Plan for New Controls on N.I.H. Grants (Gift Article)
Democrats and Republicans in Congress opposed the creation of a commission with the power to veto federal research awards.
nytimes.com
RFK Jr. took $4 million in book advances and $270,000 in gifts from close allies working to advance his agenda. His wife received $210,000 in consulting fees from a MAHA group. Ethics experts are troubled. w/ @by-cjewett.bsky.social Jewett www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/u...
RFK Jr. Drew $4 Million in Book Advances From Publisher Who Also Monetized MAHA (Gift Article)
A new disclosure also shows $210,000 in consulting fees paid to Cheryl Hines, the health secretary’s wife, by one of several MAHA-affiliated groups capitalizing from his agenda.
nytimes.com
NEW: Jay Bhattacharya and Russ Vought have been fighting for months over White House plan to take control of N.I.H. Grants . It got so bad that Vought refused to meet with Bhattacharya. Things finally blew up on Friday. Now Trump is preparing an EO www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/s...
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants (Gift Article)
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
nytimes.com
Every woman in America should mourn the loss of Gloria Steinem. She paved the way for all of us -- to hold jobs, to stay at home with kids, to not have kids at all, to be whatever we wanted to be. @kitseelye.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/u...
Gloria Steinem, Personification of the Feminist Movement, Dies at 92 (Gift Article)
She challenged sexist assumptions, helping women develop a sense of self-worth and gain a measure of equality at work, at home and in society at large.
nytimes.com
Okay, so I'm revising my manuscript for a book on public health and politics. I'm reading "The New Public Health," by Hibbert Hill, published in 1913. "Who keeps infectious disease going?" Hill asks. Answer: WOMEN!!!
Meet the top public health physician in Louisiana, the state with the worst health outcomes in the nation. RFK appointed her to a vaccine advisory committee. Public health leaders say she's dangerous. @rosemarywestwood.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/08/17/u...
How Louisiana’s New Surgeon General Wants to Transform Public Health (Gift Article)
Dr. Evelyn Griffin is pushing for more emphasis on wellness and prevention. She has also aligned with the MAHA movement in fighting government mandates and questioning the safety of some vaccines.
nytimes.com
The Trump administration bowed to industry in delaying a food safety rule. That made it harder for public health agencies to stop the spread of Cyclospora. 14,000 cases. 740 hospitalizations. 2 deaths. @by-cjewett.bsky.social & Julie Creswell www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/h...
How Cyclospora Evaded the U.S. Food Safety System to Sicken Thousands (Gift Article)
The Trump administration delayed a rule last year that could have sped up the effort to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Critics charge that food safety oversight has eroded overall.
nytimes.com
BREAKING: The Senate Homeland Security votes along party lines to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/u...
Senate Panel Holds Fauci in Contempt of Congress
Dr. Anthony Fauci had refused to answer questions at a hearing last week, invoking the Fifth Amendment. Republicans argued that he wasn’t entitled to that protection because he had a presidential pard...
nytimes.com
What do Bobby Kennedy Jr., his son Bobby Kennedy III, and Rand Paul have in common? They each wrote a book criticizing Tony Fauci, and they share the same publisher, Skyhorse, founded by a close RFK Jr. adviser who also runs the MAHA PAC. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u...
Spotlight on Fauci Said to Boost Book Sales for Kennedy and His Publisher (Gift Article)
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his son, and Senator Rand Paul have all written books criticizing Dr. Anthony S. Fauci. All were published by a company led by a close Kennedy adviser.
nytimes.com
NEW: After Fauci took the Fifth, Republicans spent three hours battering him with questions as he sat in silence. Here's what we know about their claims. w/ @Ben Mueller www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/h...
What We Know About Dr. Fauci Pleading the Fifth in Senate Hearing on Covid Origins (Gift Article)
In a three-hour Senate hearing this week, Dr. Fauci invoked his constitutional right to stay silent, leaving people confused about many of the issues raised.
nytimes.com
Tidbit from the Fauci diary: RFK Jr's mom and sister invited Fauci to Hyannisport to celebrate July 4, 2020. How times have changed. "They said that they love me and admired me and were so please that the Kennedy family could honor me." How times have changed.
UPDATE: Fauci takes the Fifth. Rand Paul told Fauci there would be "repercussions" for his refusal to answer questions. Fauci's lawyer spoke up, and Paul had security escort the lawyer out of the room. I'm in the room. Follow us live here: www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07...
Trump Live Updates: Fauci Refuses to Answer Senators’ Questions on Covid Origins (Gift Article)
nytimes.com
There’s a lot in the Fauci diaries. Here’s my take. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/27/u...
Fauci, in Private Diary, Reflected on Covid’s Origins and His Own Fame (Gift Article)
Private entries, released by a Republican senator, have reignited a furious debate over whether Covid-19 leaked from a lab.
nytimes.com
NEW: CDC changed its autism and vaccines website, yet again -- this time to win Cassidy's vote for Trump's nominee. The site still asserts there is a link, but now carries the words: "Scientists have not identified the root causes of autism." www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/h...
Key Republican Senator Says He Will Support Erica Schwartz for C.D.C. Director
Senator Bill Cassidy, who is believed to hold the deciding vote in the Senate health committee for Dr. Erica Schwartz’s confirmation, had declined for days to say whether he would back her.
nytimes.com
New White House plan reimagines American science — more $$ for AI, less for universities and the “life sciences.” Written by Trump’s science adviser, who is a Silicon Valley tech guy, not a scientist. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/22/u...
Trump’s Plan for Science: More Money for A.I., Less for Universities
Michael Kratsios, President Trump’s science adviser, proposed overhauling how the government funds research. Democrats said Mr. Trump’s actions had weakened science.
nytimes.com
After 18 months in office, RFK Jr. will start visiting HHS operating divisions to meet face-to-face with department employees, per internal email. I recently reported he visited CDC just once, after last year’s shooting. “We want to hear your voice,” his chief counselor says.
Ordinarily this would not be news, but…HHS is working to develop vaccines against the current strain of Ebola
SCOOP: A cache of internal emails obtained by @nytimes.com shows how CDC leaders struggled to adjust to life under RFK Jr.: Late-night demands; color-coded spreadsheets; a mad dash to the National Archives for 28 boxes of historical records. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/u...
Inside the C.D.C.’s Mad Scramble to Meet Kennedy’s Demands
nytimes.com
The Great American State Fair, part of Trump's 250th BD party, will have MAHA offerings, including a cooking demonstration by Dr. Oz. But unless you count chips, slaw, or green chile queso, no veggies on the vendor food list. Pizza, corn dogs & fries. www.freedom250.org/media-center...
FOOD SHOWCASES AMERICA’S CULINARY TRADITIONS AT THE GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR - Freedom 250
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, the Great American State Fair will bring one of the nation's most beloved traditions to the National Mall...
freedom250.org
SCOOP: A cache of internal emails obtained by @nytimes.com shows how CDC leaders struggled to adjust to life under RFK Jr.: Late-night demands; color-coded spreadsheets; a mad dash to the National Archives for 28 boxes of historical records. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/u...
Inside the C.D.C.’s Mad Scramble to Meet Kennedy’s Demands
nytimes.com
ok it's not the Knicks parade or the Obama center opening, but great new #WTHealth pod up! Panelists @laurenweberhp.bsky.social, @annaedney.bsky.social, and @sherylnyt.bsky.social; plus @mfcannon.bsky.social and Liz Fowler on the employer tax exemption: kffhealthnews.org/podcast/what...
Democrats Keep Healthcare at the Fore - KFF Health News
Senate Democrats hope to highlight health costs by forcing a vote on the Trump administration’s changes to the Affordable Care Act before the midterm elections. Meanwhile, Alabama is the latest state ...
kffhealthnews.org
NEW: Major posts are vacant. Waves of scientists are gone. Ebola looms. My look at how RFK Jr. manages HHS: “If the C.E.O. lacked deep expertise in the company’s business and the leaders of its most important divisions were missing, investors would revolt." www.nytimes.com/2026/06/07/u...
Kennedy Shows Minimal Engagement With Vast Health Portfolio
nytimes.com
Why the lack of US leadership could make this Ebola outbreak one of the worst ever. @apoorvanyt.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: Why This Ebola Outbreak Could Be One of the Worst
An Ebola outbreak is spreading in parts of Africa with over 170 deaths and about 750 infections, according to the World Health Organization. Our global health reporter Apoorva Mandavilli explains how ...
nytimes.com
Barney Frank was one of a kind. I remember him as outspoken, irascible, cutting, funny, pointed, smart, and most of all unafraid. Lovely obituary by my @nytimes.com colleague @kitseelye.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/u...
Barney Frank, Gay Pioneer and Liberal Stalwart in Congress, Dies at 86
nytimes.com
NEW: RFK Jr. has appointed a temporary Surgeon General -- without Senate confirmation -- and granted her the authority to issue advisories. Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos "will take on the honorific title Director of Health Communications for the Office of the Surgeon General."
SCOOPLET: The FDA says it is studying the safety of the abortion pill Mifepristone. But the study hasn't started & has been held up for months by bureaucratic delays at HHS, per 2 people familiar. + Trump is mum & in a political bind. w/ @pambelluck.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/u...
Abortion Pill Lawsuit Leaves Trump Silent, and in a Political Bind
nytimes.com
With some trepidation, I agreed to be interviewed by @brindabee.bsky.social and her team at Why Should I Trust You on what it is like to cover RFK Jr. and MAHA in these polarized times. These are my honest, albeit imperfect, reflections. Please be kind. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Special Ep: A Conversation w Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Lead Reporter for the NYT Covering RFK Jr. & MAHA In An Era of Mistrust
Podcast Episode · Why Should I Trust You? · May 15 · 1h 10m
podcasts.apple.com
SCOOP: RFK Jr.'s top spokesman, Rich Danker, quit in protest over Trump admin's vaping policy -- one day after FDA chief Makary resigned for the same reason. NOW VACANT at HHS: Surgeon General. CDC director. FDA commissioner. Asst. Sec for Public Affairs www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/u...
Top Kennedy Spokesman Resigns in Protest Over New Vaping Policy
nytimes.com
