RFK Jr. sinks to -21 net approval in Quinnipiac poll, CNN analyst says polarization harms trust

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now viewed by Americans as one of the most polarizing figures in Donald Trump’s cabinet, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday. Kennedy posts a -21 net approval rating, down from -11 in March and -15 in June. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten described the trend as a poll spiral and warned that Kennedy’s current standing is not a favorable position for anyone in the administration.

Enten said the decline appears linked to Kennedy’s policy actions and his public stance on vaccines. He noted that as Kennedy pushes or implements policies, public support erodes further. The analyst described Kennedy as having a mixed public persona, with some voters backing policies such as restrictions on artificial food dyes while broad distrust remains on vaccines, a stance Kennedy has publicly embraced. The widening gap between policy positions and public trust is at the center of the numbers, Enten suggested, signaling that Kennedy’s influence on policy could be undermined by the perceived credibility of the information he represents.

The decline in Kennedy’s polling numbers comes as Democrats who previously supported him express concerns about whether information from the federal government can be trusted when it is articulated by Kennedy. Analysts say the drop reflects a broader challenge for Trump’s health-policy team: maintaining public trust when a cabinet official is widely viewed as controversial or polarizing. Kennedy’s public stance on vaccines—labeled by critics as skeptical or fearmongering by opponents—appears to be a central factor behind the erosion in trust in the agencies he oversees, even among traditional supporters.

Observers caution that negative polling data for a cabinet member in a high-profile health role can complicate messaging and policy execution. Kennedy’s approach has drawn attention to the administration’s broader health policy priorities, including debates over vaccine policy, public health communication, and regulatory decisions. The poll results suggest that public opinion is increasingly tethered to perceptions of candor and credibility as much as to policy outcomes.

In the political landscape surrounding Trump’s campaign, the Kennedy figure embodies a tension between policy aims and public confidence. The Quinnipiac findings underscore how a single cabinet official’s perceived trustworthiness can influence the administration’s ability to communicate health policy to the public. As Kennedy continues to advocate for various health-related positions, analysts say his ability to persuade voters may hinge on restoring perceived credibility and bridging gaps between policy intent and public perception of science and public health messaging.