In what is being described as an unprecedented legal battle, some of the most respected medical associations in the United States have filed a federal lawsuit against key leaders in the Trump administration’s health team, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, accuses the administration of restricting access to COVID-19 vaccines and undermining public confidence in vaccines nationwide.

The plaintiffs include the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America, American Public Health Association, Massachusetts Public Health Association, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, as well as a pregnant physician who fears being denied a vaccine under the new policies.

Our clients are not litigious organizations. They don’t want to be in court… but it’s necessary,” said Richard Hughes, lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
“This is a position no one wanted, but we’re watching the foundation of vaccine access erode in real time.

What Triggered the Lawsuit?

The lawsuit focuses on new policy decisions made by Kennedy and other administration officials that limit who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. The changes, plaintiffs argue, were made arbitrarily and without medical justification.

The named defendants in the case include:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary
• Dr. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner
• Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director
• Matthew Buzzelli, Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

According to the complaint, Kennedy also fired 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with seven handpicked members, some of whom have publicly questioned vaccine safety and efficacy.

In their first meeting, the new committee reportedly said it would re-evaluate even well-established vaccine recommendations, including those for measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox—raising alarms among mainstream medical professionals.

Pediatricians cannot stay silent as the system we rely on to support lifesaving vaccines is chiseled away, piece by piece,” said Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, at Monday’s press conference.

A Blow to Pregnant Women and Children?

One of the most emotionally charged elements of the lawsuit is the story of a pregnant physician, included as an anonymous plaintiff, who now fears she will be unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to the administration’s eligibility changes.

The plaintiffs argue that denying vaccines to vulnerable groups—especially pregnant individuals and children—could lead to life-threatening consequences, increased hospitalizations, and a loss of public health protections won over decades.

If the Order is left in place,” attorneys for the ACLU noted, “children will face numerous obstacles… including stigma, ineligibility for federal programs, and potential arrest, detention, or deportation in the event of future mandates or border crossings.

What the Lawsuit Seeks

The plaintiffs are seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctions to block the implementation of the vaccine policy changes, and a declaratory judgment that labels the changes unlawful under administrative law standards.

The complaint claims Kennedy’s team acted “arbitrarily and capriciously,” failing to follow established scientific protocols and regulatory processes in altering vaccine recommendations.

Political Backlash and Public Concern

The White House has not issued an official response, but Kennedy’s allies argue the move is part of a broader effort to increase transparency and re-evaluate vaccine schedules with parental input and individual medical freedom in mind.

But critics, including a wide range of scientists and public health experts, warn that this approach is fueling vaccine hesitancy, reviving debunked conspiracy theories, and putting millions at risk.

As legal proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on the courts—and whether science or politics will ultimately guide the future of vaccine access in America.

In a raw and emotional video shared on Instagram, former UFC star and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren delivered a jaw-dropping update on his health following a double lung transplant and a terrifying battle with pneumonia.

I only died four times the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds each time. That’s not ideal the 40-year-old fighter said with unsettling calm.

Askren, known for his grit inside the cage and quirky persona outside it, was hospitalized in his home state of Wisconsin after developing pneumonia triggered by a staph infection. What followed was a brutal medical ordeal that nearly took his life—multiple times.

The former Bellator MMA and ONE Championship titleholder revealed that he had no memory from May 28 to July 2. “I just read through my wife’s journal. It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous,” he said.

I was on a scale yesterday, 147 pounds. I haven’t been that since I was 15. I lost 50 pounds in 45 days.

Despite the grim circumstances, Askren’s sense of humor and fighting spirit remain intact. He shared that he’s slowly regaining strength and relearning how to use his body. For a man who once dominated opponents with relentless wrestling, this new battle is perhaps the toughest of his life.

“It Was Like I Had My Own Funeral

In a tear-jerking moment, Askren expressed deep gratitude to the wrestling and MMA communities, saying, “The outpouring of love was like I got to have my own funeral… while I was still here.

The love was widespread. Fighters, fans, and Olympians across the world sent messages of support, making it clear how deeply Ben Askren is respected in and out of the octagon.

From Olympic Mats to Global Cages

Askren represented Team USA in wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before transitioning to MMA. His rise was meteoric—he won the Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament, defended his title four times, then moved to ONE Championship, where he also claimed welterweight gold.

Askren entered the UFC in a historic trade deal involving Demetrious Johnson, winning his debut against Robbie Lawler before retiring in 2019 after losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia.

What’s Next for Funky

Now, Askren isn’t thinking about comebacks—but about community. “I’m more motivated than ever to get back and help where I can… I love you guys. This has been tough—not just for me, but for my whole family.

He hinted at the possibility of sharing a detailed story later with his wife Amy. For now, fans are just grateful he’s still here.

The Brazilian Butt Lift—or BBL—has surged in popularity among influencers and celebrities worldwide. It promises a fuller, more sculpted behind by transferring fat from other body parts to the buttocks. But behind the curvy dream lies a grim, unexpected reality: some women now say they literally stink.

Plastic surgeons are now raising alarms about what’s being dubbed as the “BBL smell”—an unpleasant odor caused by post-surgery complications and hygiene challenges. And for some, it’s not just embarrassing — it’s life-altering.

“Wiping down there is going to be a lot more difficult because there’s more to reach around,” says Dr. Roger Tsai, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. With the buttocks becoming larger and wider post-surgery, many women struggle to clean themselves properly, especially in the early weeks of recovery.

Some patients have taken to TikTok to share their horror stories. One woman said she had her BBL reversed after the smell “was like a dumpster.” Another viral video described the stench as “an assault of my nose.”

And it’s not just a social inconvenience — it can be medically serious. According to Dr. Eric Anderson, a U.S.-based cosmetic surgeon, overfilling the area with fat can overwhelm the blood supply, leading to fat necrosis — a condition where the fat dies and releases a foul-smelling fluid, often requiring antibiotics, hospital stays, or even life-threatening sepsis.

“When there is more fat than the blood supply can support, it dies through a smelly process called fat necrosis,” Anderson explains. “It’s more common than people think.”

Dr. Douglas Steinbrech, a plastic surgeon based in New York, adds that much of the odor comes from trapped moisture and bacteria. “Tight compression garments used after surgery can trap sweat, fluids, and bacteria, especially in warm areas like the thighs or lower back,” he said. “That combo can definitely create an odor—though it’s usually not dangerous.”

Still, the social toll is real. One patient, Kay Montana, 39, described her post-BBL life as “smelling of rotten flesh,” with the scent seeping through her clothes and lingering wherever she sat.

And let’s not forget the deadly risks. In recent years, several British women have tragically lost their lives due to complications from BBLs performed abroad. Leah Cambridge, a beautician from Leeds, died after undergoing the procedure in Turkey, followed by the heartbreaking case of Hayley Dowell, who also died under similar circumstances.

Doctors now increasingly recommend bidets for hygiene after the procedure and advise patients to be fully aware of all the risks—cosmetic, hygienic, and potentially fatal—before going under the knife.

As the hashtag #BBLtrend continues to rack up views on social media, perhaps it’s time to think twice. As one TikToker put it bluntly: “God gave you arms for your original body. Maybe that’s the shape you were meant to have.”