TLDR:
Trump considers RFK Jr’s vaccine ideas
Kennedy may control health agencies
Vaccine data access on the table
WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Thursday Times) — Donald Trump has revealed a willingness to consider banning certain vaccines if he wins the presidential election, in his most overt gesture yet of support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s radical public health views. Speaking on Sunday to NBC, Trump expressed admiration for Kennedy, the controversial anti-vaccine advocate, and confirmed that the former independent candidate could play a significant role in a future administration. Kennedy, who endorsed Trump after ending his own presidential run, has publicly stated that he would have broad oversight over key public health agencies, with a promise to overhaul policies on vaccines and water fluoridation.
Trump’s comments have reignited concerns among health experts and advocates who warn that giving Kennedy influence could upend decades of medical consensus. Kennedy has a long-standing history of propagating claims linking vaccines to autism, a theory debunked by the scientific community. His recent remarks suggest that under a Trump administration, he could attempt to reshape the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration in line with his views. While Trump stopped short of explicitly promising policy changes, his openness to Kennedy’s proposals signals a potential pivot in America’s public health landscape.
Trump’s ambiguity, vaccine discussions
Trump’s interview with NBC left many questions unanswered but indicated a level of comfort with Kennedy’s ideas. Asked whether he would support banning vaccines or removing fluoride from the water supply, Trump said he would “talk to him and talk to other people” before making a decision. He acknowledged Kennedy’s passion, describing him as a “talented guy” with strong opinions. This lack of specificity, however, has fuelled speculation about the extent of Kennedy’s influence should Trump secure a second term in the White House.
The former president’s ally, Howard Lutnick, co-chair of Trump’s campaign, added more weight to Kennedy’s potential role. Speaking to CNN, Lutnick suggested that Kennedy could be given unprecedented access to federal data on vaccine safety. He implied that Kennedy’s assertions about vaccine risks deserve investigation, framing the data review as an opportunity to challenge established medical standards. “Let’s give him the data. I think it’ll be pretty cool to give him the data,” Lutnick said, hinting at a major shift in how health policies might be evaluated.
Public health policy
Kennedy’s influence could extend beyond vaccines. Last week, he called for a ban on fluoride in the water supply, a public health practice endorsed by experts to prevent dental disease. Citing discredited claims that fluoride is linked to cancer, Kennedy described it as “industrial waste.” Trump’s non-committal but seemingly favourable reaction to this idea has sparked alarm among public health professionals. Water fluoridation has been a cornerstone of disease prevention for decades, and any disruption could have widespread effects.
Kennedy’s role on Trump’s transition team and the promise of control over multiple agencies have led to apprehension about the potential reshaping of public health and food safety regulations. His statements about “going wild on food” and “going wild on medicines” reflect ambitions that could reverberate throughout the American healthcare landscape. Critics argue that empowering Kennedy with such authority would be tantamount to dismantling established health safeguards, while supporters believe it would bring fresh scrutiny to outdated practices.