Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seems to be attempting to revive his public image, reminiscent of his unsuccessful presidential bid, by returning to vaccine skepticism, a core tenet of his worldview. This perspective, as described by a New York Times colleague, is rooted in conspiracy theory.
Kennedy’s initial call to action is simple: purchase a “Make America Healthy Again” hat. However, his broader agenda quickly emerges: “Our big priority will be to clean up the public health agencies like C.D.C., N.I.H., F.D.A., and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those agencies have become sock puppets for the industries that they’re supposed to regulate. President Trump and I are going to replace the corrupt, industry-captured officials with honest public servants.”
This message resonates with a desire for accountability, mirroring sentiments previously observed. Kennedy delivers this message against a backdrop of idyllic scenes – white families enjoying salads and hikes, reminiscent of social media influencers. The video clip concludes with a young boy enthusiastically proclaiming, “Make America Healthy Again!”
The alliance between Trump and Kennedy could be easily dismissed as opportunistic. Trump might gain support from a segment of former Kennedy voters who share a distrust of government, while Kennedy could potentially influence Trump’s policies if he wins. Elaine Godfrey from The Atlantic suggests this partnership might be tactical and temporary, highlighting a potential conflict between Trump’s pro-deregulation stance and a growing conservative desire for stricter food regulations.
However, the connection might be more enduring than initially perceived. A Wall Street Journal report from October 18 revealed that “Kennedy has teamed up with Trump advisers to draft potential policies and lists of personnel,” and that “Trump has committed to considering Kennedy for any job in his administration, a person familiar with the matter said, including health and human services secretary.” This role would oversee a vast federal apparatus. Further solidifying this potential collaboration, Dr. Robert Redfield, former head of the C.D.C. under Trump, publicly endorsed Kennedy and MAHA’s mission in a Newsweek op-ed, advocating for a “Kennedy Commission on Childhood Chronic Disease.”
