Between protests over state-specific bills and a cruise ship being quarantined over a measles outbreak, the vaccination issue is exploding in the United States. This is especially the case thanks to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known anti-vaxxer and activist against what he and his followers see as governmental interference in citizens’ private medical lives. It also doesn’t help that President Trump has frequently supported Kennedy. Nor does the fact that, as everyone learned on Thursday, actress Jessica Biel counts herself among his allies.
As first reported by Jezebel, Kennedy posted photos of himself, Biel and other supporters taken at the California State Assembly on Wednesday. “Please say thank you to the courageous @jessicabiel for a busy and productive day at the California State House,” he captioned the photos.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Byl1y56lLOO/
According to The Daily Beast, the pair was lobbying against SB 276, a state bill that limits medical exemptions from vaccinations without a public health official’s prior approval. Kennedy confirmed as much in a phone call with the outlet, though he wouldn’t go so far as to outright say that Biel was a part of his movement. “I would say that she was for safe vaccines and for medical freedom,” he said before adding his group’s rallying cry of “my body, my choice.”
Rumors of Biel and husband Justin Timberlake’s reticence to vaccinate their son have persisted, but Wednesday’s public appearance was the first time that she had ever been directly connected with the issue. Needless to say, fans of her and Timberlake’s weren’t too happy about the news.
What was Jessica Biel talking to California state lawmakers about alongside famous vaccine “skeptic” Robert F. Kennedy Jr.? I would love to know! https://t.co/oXIRK1yMLl
— Anna Merlan (@annamerlan) June 12, 2019
If you don't vaccinate your kids, you're a fucking idiot. https://t.co/3VwQmwqqep
— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) June 12, 2019
Holy shit, Jessica Biel is anti-vaxx. https://t.co/u2dOam7AIO pic.twitter.com/ENU8BdGMVo
— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) June 12, 2019
Though this is Twitter, so of course most of the popular reactions were jokes.
More like Jessical Beasles https://t.co/C3YhtPetqf
— Katie Notopoulos (@katienotopoulos) June 12, 2019
Apparently she and her husband Justin Timberlake will be bringing measles back. https://t.co/3QvaB1TC1x
— Jennifer Wright (@JenAshleyWright) June 12, 2019
Jessica Biel just wants children to go to (7th) Heaven. I’m sorry. pic.twitter.com/UMcdVOjMVt
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) June 12, 2019
I'm actually kind of impressed with how much Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake are intent on losing any fans they have left. https://t.co/Ha7PqAT1G2
— Marcus Jones (@marcus_jones) June 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/bobbyfinger/status/1138895684436975617
https://twitter.com/alanzilberman/status/1138947714220220417
(Via The Daily Beast)