Donald Trump announced on Thursday the nomination of anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his secretary of health, marking another contentious choice by the incoming Republican president.
The announcement was made on Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he expressed excitement about the appointment, stating that he was “thrilled” to name Kennedy for the role.
Kennedy, widely recognized as RFK Jr., comes from a prominent political lineage and is an established environmental activist. He recently abandoned a fringe presidential bid to endorse Trump against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Trump has publicly expressed his desire for Kennedy to overhaul the healthcare system, saying he wants him to “go wild” in enacting reforms. Kennedy, who is 70, has emphasized the need for fundamental changes in how Americans approach diet, exercise, and medicine. Known for posting shirtless photos to showcase his physical fitness, Kennedy advocates a drastic shift in health policies.
If confirmed by the Senate, where Republicans are expected to hold a three-seat majority, he will oversee the Health and Human Services Department, which manages nearly $2 trillion in funding.
In his announcement, Trump proclaimed that Kennedy would “Make America Great and Healthy Again!” The president-elect also aligned himself with many of Kennedy’s criticisms of the current system, stating, “Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation.” Trump promised that Kennedy would restore federal health agencies to their former glory as “beacons of Transparency” and leaders in “Gold Standard Scientific Research” to combat chronic diseases.
However, Kennedy’s nomination has already drawn significant opposition due to his promotion of debunked medical conspiracy theories. These include the false claim that childhood vaccines cause autism and his assertion that Covid-19 vaccines are dangerous.
Kennedy’s personal life has also attracted controversy, including his claim that a worm once entered his brain and caused damage, and his admission of involvement in the mysterious dumping of a dead bear in Central Park a decade ago. Additionally, reports surfaced of a sexting relationship with a journalist, despite his being married.
While Kennedy’s nomination dominates headlines, Trump has yet to announce key appointments for treasury and commerce secretaries, who will shape tax and trade policies, or for education secretary, a department he has previously suggested dismantling.
Trump’s early cabinet selections were initially met with bipartisan approval, such as the appointment of Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a foreign policy conservative, as secretary of state.
However, subsequent nominations have drawn criticism for prioritizing personal loyalty over qualifications. For example, Trump’s pick of Matt Gaetz as attorney general has raised eyebrows. Gaetz, a far-right congressman, was embroiled in a years-long criminal investigation into alleged sex trafficking. Although Gaetz denies wrongdoing and has not been charged, the House Ethics Committee has continued its probe.
Another contentious choice was former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. Gabbard, who has met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric, has faced backlash for her controversial stances. Similarly, Trump named Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and combat veteran with no experience managing large organizations, as defense secretary.
Trump’s aides have indicated that his second term will focus on replacing federal officials who they believe hindered his agenda during his first presidency. This includes Gaetz, whose confirmation as attorney general would provide Trump with a staunch ally to oversee the Justice Department. Trump’s agenda also involves targeting his political adversaries, a threat he has reiterated numerous times.
While Republicans anticipate a slim majority in the Senate, Gaetz’s unpopularity could complicate his path to confirmation. Similarly, Gabbard’s nomination has provoked outrage, particularly over her suggestion that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine resulted from “legitimate security concerns.”
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