Trump Names Controversial Anti-Vaccine Activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine activist and controversial figure, as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), a move that has sent shockwaves through the political establishment, Al Jazeera reports.

The announcement, made Thursday on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, cited Kennedy’s advocacy against what Trump called the “industrial food complex and drug companies” for their alleged deception and misinformation regarding public health.

Kennedy, who ran unsuccessfully for president this year before endorsing Trump, will oversee a vast department responsible for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Medicare and Medicaid. He has already participated in the transition team, reviewing potential candidates for positions within HHS.

This appointment is one of several high-profile, and often controversial, cabinet selections Trump has made in recent days, pending Senate confirmation. While the nomination of Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State was met with relative approval, other choices, including Congressman Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, have sparked considerable debate.

Kennedy’s selection is particularly contentious due to his history of making false medical claims, including the unsubstantiated link between vaccines and autism. He has actively opposed COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and has been accused of spreading misinformation about the virus. He has also advocated for the removal of fluoride from drinking water, despite its established benefits for dental health.

His family lineage adds another layer of complexity. Kennedy is a member of the prominent Kennedy family, a dynasty known for its Democratic political figures, including his assassinated uncle, President John F. Kennedy, and his father, Robert F. Kennedy, who was also fatally shot. Despite his family’s Democratic legacy, Kennedy’s siblings have publicly denounced his candidacy and his views.

Kennedy’s stated priorities for HHS include tackling what he terms a “chronic disease epidemic,” focusing on obesity, diabetes, and autism, and reducing chemicals in food. He has also suggested major restructuring within the FDA and NIH, accusing the FDA of suppressing alternative health products and expressing doubts about the effectiveness of measles vaccines. His past claims, such as alleging the COVID-19 virus was engineered to target specific populations, further fuel concerns about his suitability for the position.

The Senate confirmation process will likely be tumultuous, given Kennedy’s controversial views. However, Trump appears to have given him considerable leeway to implement his agenda, stating that Kennedy will “restore these agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency.” Ironically, Kennedy’s first challenge may be addressing the dietary habits of his new boss, having previously criticized Trump’s fondness for fast food and described the food on his campaign plane as “practically poison.”