Fri Nov 15 03:16:37 IST 2024: ## Trump Nominates Anti-Vaccine Activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Lead HHS
**New York, November 15, 2024** – President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine activist, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The controversial choice places Kennedy, a former Democratic presidential candidate, at the helm of a vast agency responsible for overseeing drug and food safety, medical research, and major social safety net programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, cited Kennedy’s advocacy against what he called the “deception” of the “industrial food complex and drug companies.” He declared Kennedy would “Make America Great and Healthy Again!”
Kennedy, who ran as an independent this year before endorsing Trump, has a history of suing major pharmaceutical and pesticide companies and promoting stricter food regulations. His campaign focused on improving food health, mirroring Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan. However, this approach clashes with Trump’s past record of deregulation, particularly within the food industry.
Kennedy’s outspoken skepticism of vaccines, including his promotion of debunked claims linking childhood vaccines to autism, has drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. His nomination is expected to face significant challenges during the Senate confirmation process, even with a GOP majority. He has also advocated for removing fluoride from drinking water, despite evidence of its benefits for dental health.
The HHS oversees numerous agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH), employing over 80,000 people nationwide. Kennedy’s anti-vaccine nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense, is currently suing several news organizations, including the Associated Press, alleging antitrust violations for their efforts to combat misinformation.
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