The ‘Make America Healthy Again’ report, a health initiative backed by U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has just come under some serious fire. Why? Because it reportedly cited nonexistent studies, misquoted real ones, and may have even leaned on AI tools like ChatGPT to cook up references that don’t exist.
Yup—you heard that right. America’s hotshot health document of the year just got caught red-handed. Let’s unpack what went down, what it means for public health policy, and why this scandal has experts, politicians, and scientists shaking their heads.
‘Make America Healthy Again’ Report Deletes Phony Studies
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| What Happened | The MAHA report included citations of fake studies and misattributed authorship. |
| Who’s Involved | Robert F. Kennedy Jr., researchers from Columbia and Harvard, the U.S. HHS. |
| How Many Fakes? | At least 7 studies were confirmed nonexistent by Reuters. |
| AI Involvement? | Suspected use of AI tools like ChatGPT, with telltale signs like “oaicite” placeholders. |
| Official Response | White House blamed “formatting issues” and claimed it’s been fixed. |
| Why It Matters | Undermines trust in health policy and evidence-based reforms. |
The Make America Healthy Again report started out with big dreams—to address chronic illness in kids, rethink health priorities, and overhaul the system. But its use of phony studies, AI-generated citations, and twisted science has done more harm than good. If this mess teaches us anything, it’s that truth matters more than headlines. Especially when public health is on the line.
What Is the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Report Anyway?
The ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA) report was supposed to be the Kennedy camp’s big, bold blueprint to fix what they call a “national health crisis.” The document focuses heavily on childhood chronic illness, blaming everything from processed foods to over-prescription of meds.
Sounds noble, right?
Well, it turns out the house might’ve been built on sand. Because when Reuters, The Washington Post, and other major outlets took a closer look—they found serious cracks in the foundation.
How the Fake Study Bomb Dropped
In May 2025, independent health experts began reviewing the MAHA document and noticed something strange—some of the footnotes and citations didn’t match any existing studies. Red flag.
Here’s the breakdown:
Nonexistent Studies
- A citation under Columbia epidemiologist Katherine Keyes turned out to reference a study that doesn’t exist.
- Psychiatrist Robert L. Findling was falsely listed as a co-author on a paper he had nothing to do with.
- One reference led to a nonexistent medical journal—a classic case of “trust me, bro” science.
These aren’t minor typos. This is full-blown misinformation wrapped in a government report.
The AI Angle: Was ChatGPT or Another Bot Behind the Mess?
One of the most suspicious details is the use of the term “oaicite” in several footnotes. That’s a placeholder tag used when someone tries to generate references using AI tools like ChatGPT—but doesn’t double-check the output.
Essentially, it’s like writing a college paper and leaving in the line: “Insert real quote here later.”
This suggests someone on the MAHA report drafting team may have leaned on generative AI—without verifying the results.
So, Is ChatGPT to Blame?
Not quite. Tools like ChatGPT can generate plausible-looking references—but users are supposed to verify them. Think of it like using spellcheck: it helps, but it’s not your editor.
Misrepresented Science: Real Studies Twisted Beyond Recognition
Even legitimate studies weren’t spared. Take the case of a corticosteroids-overuse study. The MAHA report cited it to claim kids are being drugged unnecessarily.
But the original researchers pushed back: that’s not what their study said.
So not only were some references fake, others were cherry-picked or twisted to fit a narrative. That’s not science. That’s politics dressed in a lab coat.
What the Experts Are Saying
Let’s hear from the folks who know best.
Katherine Keyes, Columbia epidemiologist: “The reference attributed to me is made up. It’s not real.”
Dr. Robert Findling, psychiatrist: “That’s not my work. I have no idea how my name ended up in there.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: “These were just formatting issues. We’ve corrected them.”
Formatting issues? That’s like saying the Titanic just had a little leak.
Why This Matters to YOU
If you’re a voter, parent, healthcare worker—or just someone who cares about facts—this whole situation should worry you.
1. Public Trust Is Fragile
When government-backed reports include fake data, people stop trusting the system. That’s dangerous, especially in areas like vaccines, mental health, and childhood disease.
2. Policies Could Be Built on Misinformation
Imagine funding billions in healthcare reform… based on research that doesn’t exist.
3. Sets a Bad Precedent for AI Use
AI tools are helpful—but not if they’re used to slap together citations without human review.
What’s Being Done Now?
The White House claims it has removed the fake studies and corrected all errors. But that hasn’t put the fire out.
- Congressional committees are sniffing around.
- Health researchers are demanding a full retraction and rewrite.
- The scientific community is warning against using AI-generated data in official documents without review.
A new version of the report may drop in June 2025. Whether that one’s got its facts straight? We’ll see.
How To Check for Fake Studies Yourself
Here’s some real-world advice:
1. Google Scholar Is Your Friend
If a report references a study, run it through Google Scholar. If it’s not there, chances are it’s not real.
2. Watch for AI Tells
Words like “oaicite” or “as cited in a 2023 AI report” are dead giveaways.
3. Check Journal Names
A fake journal name like “Journal of National Pediatric Policy Reform” might sound legit—but if you can’t find its website or ISSN number, it’s probably made up.
4. Verify Authors
Search author names and match them with actual institutional bios. Most legit researchers have a university profile or LinkedIn page.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is the MAHA report still valid after corrections?
A: It’s been edited, but many experts argue its integrity is still compromised due to foundational errors.
Q2: Who wrote the MAHA report?
A: It was backed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and drafted by a team within the U.S. Health and Human Services, possibly with AI assistance.
Q3: Can AI legally be used to write government reports?
A: There are no clear federal guidelines yet, but this case is pushing lawmakers to consider stricter rules.
Q4: Will there be consequences?
A: If Congress finds deliberate misinformation, it could result in hearings, budget cuts, or even staff terminations.
Q5: Should I still trust health reports from the government?
A: Yes, but cross-check data from multiple sources like the CDC, NIH, and academic journals.
