Sun Nov 10 01:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Trump Promises to Remove Fluoride from Drinking Water if Elected, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Charge of Health Initiatives

**PHOENIX (AP)** – Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has pledged to remove fluoride from public drinking water on his first day in office if elected, with controversial health advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the charge. Kennedy, a prominent proponent of debunked public health claims who has been promised a key role in Trump’s administration, made the declaration on the social media platform X, claiming that Trump and his wife, Melania, “want to Make America Healthy Again.”

While Trump confirmed that he had not spoken to Kennedy specifically about fluoride, he stated, “It sounds OK to me. You know it’s possible.” He also indicated that Kennedy would have a “big role” in his administration, potentially involving a Cabinet position, though he declined to specify details.

Trump’s vague promise and delegation of responsibility to Kennedy have sparked concerns among public health experts. Despite fluoride’s long-established benefits in strengthening teeth and reducing cavities, Kennedy has repeatedly promoted misinformation about its safety. His anti-vaccine organization is currently embroiled in a lawsuit against news organizations, including the Associated Press, for combating misinformation.

Fluoride has been endorsed by federal officials since 1950 as a crucial public health measure, with the CDC considering water fluoridation one of the greatest public health achievements of the past century. While the recommended fluoride levels in drinking water have been lowered in recent years due to concerns about fluorosis, a tooth condition that can cause splotches, recent studies have linked higher fluoride exposure levels to lower IQ in children.

Kennedy’s role in Trump’s potential administration raises significant questions about the direction of U.S. public health policy, particularly given his history of promoting unfounded health claims. His influence on health initiatives, including potential changes to vaccine regulations, has caused alarm among experts and sparked debate about the potential ramifications of his involvement in the Trump administration.

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