Making America Healthy Again
At a vibrant gathering in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. passionately addressed the audience during his first significant campaign event alongside his former rival, Donald J. Trump. He articulated a vision for a future where they would collaborate to advance his long-standing public health agenda, one he believes is crucial for the nation.
“He’s committed to tackling the chronic disease epidemic,” stated Mr. Kennedy, who has long been known for his skepticism regarding the safety of childhood vaccinations and has propagated various theories concerning the inner workings of federal health organizations. “He has reached out for my assistance to achieve this goal.”
Although Mr. Kennedy has been polling in the single digits and lacked a clear path to the presidency, his alignment with Mr. Trump now presents him with tangible opportunities to wield influence and power in a political landscape where he has often been perceived as a marginal figure.
Historically, individuals who serve on a winning candidate’s transition team frequently secure influential roles within the administration. In an interview with CNN, Mr. Trump hinted that he “probably would” consider appointing Mr. Kennedy to a significant position should he win a second term.
In a follow-up interview on Tuesday, Mr. Kennedy confirmed that Mr. Trump had indeed “invited me to play a substantial role in his administration.” While they have yet to delve into specifics about this role due to “legal constraints” ahead of the election, their discussions have centered on broad themes.
“We’ve talked about a general role focused on examining corruption within federal agencies and potentially overseeing a portfolio dedicated to addressing this issue,” Mr. Kennedy explained. He specifically mentioned several federal entities, including the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Additionally, public health initiatives aimed at combating the chronic disease epidemic are also areas where he envisions my involvement. These two domains are where he has asked for my expertise.”
