Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime conspiracy theorist and opponent of vaccines, now has President-elect Donald Trump’s ear to promote his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
It is an unlikely alliance between a scion of the Kennedy family, a once-famous environmental champion who called for the prosecution of climate change deniers, and a returning Republican leader.
What they do share, however, is a deep distrust of institutions. In the final stages of the campaign, Trump announced that RFK Jr. would “have a bigger role in health care” if he won.
Given Kennedy’s reputation as a notorious vaccine skeptic, the announcement immediately caused concern.
However, not so long ago, Kennedy was a high-profile climate advocate and was even in the running to become former President Barack Obama’s environment chief.
Some experts say this makes him a complex person, who brings forward some valuable ideas.
In recent days, he has tried to reassure critics, telling NPR, “We’re not going to take the vaccines away from anyone,” while also adding ominously, “We’re going to make sure that Americans Have good information.”
Kennedy has spent two decades promoting vaccine conspiracy theories, particularly around COVID-19 shots — ironically, the same vaccines developed in record time under Trump’s first administration.
Killed President John F. Kennedy’s nephew, Trump, was receiving about five percent of the popular vote before he endorsed him, much to the dismay of his own family.
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Since then, the pair have been promoting the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, a play on Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) slogan – a role reportedly borrowed from Vice President Kamala Harris. Contacted, but without success.
His mission: “To transform our country’s food, fitness, air, water, soil and medicine,” he said in a video, his voice shaky because of a neurological condition.
“Our big priority will be to clear the public health agencies,” he declared, naming the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and other centers.
“Those agencies have become puppets for the industries they’re supposed to regulate,” the 70-year-old said, echoing common progressive criticisms.
On X, he wrote: “If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Keep your records secure, and 2. Pack your bags.”
He has also courted controversy by suggesting he stop adding fluoride to tap water – a practice aimed at preventing cavities that the CDC considers one of the top 10 health achievements of the 20th century.
Cabinet post?
Will he also work as an advisor or health secretary? With a Republican Senate majority, Cabinet confirmation is now possible.
At a recent rally, Trump said that Kennedy – who was once arrested for protesting the Keystone XL pipeline – would not join his “drill, baby, drill” agenda.
But he will be responsible for “women’s health,” Trump said in an announcement that angered Democrats already frustrated by Republican-led abortion restrictions.
Yet RFK Jr.’s stance on reproductive rights defies easy categorization. This spring, he defended a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy at any stage, saying, “Ultimately, I don’t trust the government to have jurisdiction over people’s bodies.”
He later amended his position, supporting a ban after fetal viability, approximately 24 weeks – the limit set by the Supreme Court decision, which remained in effect for half a century before being overturned in 2022, thanks to Trump-appointed judges. .
nutritious food
Kennedy will also tackle the nation’s food health, an interesting assignment given Trump’s well-known affection for McDonald’s.
Kennedy says America must end its chronic disease epidemic, particularly focusing on obesity. But he’s also a fan of raw milk, which health experts strongly discourage.
In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Kennedy called for significantly reducing prescription drug prices, citing the diabetes drug Ozempic – an issue raised by leftist Senator Bernie Sanders.
Tom Frieden, CDC director under Obama, told Stat News he has also proposed barring food stamp recipients from purchasing soda and ultra-processed foods, a policy “that I have been advocating for the last 15 years.”
While agreeing with Kennedy’s focus on chronic disease, Frieden remains cautious. “The MAHA combination of sound science, pseudoscience and profiteering by so-called ‘wellness’ companies is not the answer.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
