In a surprising twist, President-elect Donald Trump has named Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known vaccine skeptic, to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a decision sure to stir some debate. Trump made the announcement on social media, promising that Kennedy will “restore” the agency to its “Gold Standard” days, focusing on transparency, combating chronic disease, and, of course, Making America Healthy Again!
HHS oversees key health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Medicare & Medicaid Services, so it’s a hefty responsibility. Senate confirmation will be required, but with Trump’s track record, we might not be waiting long for the green light.
Kennedy, for his part, expressed gratitude, calling Trump a leader of “courage” and reaffirming his commitment to advancing Trump’s health vision. He promises to “clean up corruption,” put an end to the revolving door between industry and government, and bring HHS back to its roots of “gold-standard, evidence-based science.” Big words, but Kennedy’s got a track record of shaking things up—whether you agree with him or not.
At a gala event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, Trump congratulated Kennedy, telling him, “Now we want you to come up with things and ideas and what you’ve been talking about for a long time.” Kennedy, who suspended his independent presidential campaign in August to endorse Trump, had previously claimed that Trump had promised him control over the public health agencies—a deal that now appears to be coming to fruition.
But Kennedy’s selection is far from smooth sailing. The environmental activist and founder of the Children’s Health Defense has been a lightning rod for controversy. He’s perhaps best known for his anti-vaccine stance, which has led to widespread concern about his influence on public health policy. Medical experts have raised alarms over the misinformation linked to Kennedy’s claims, especially his now-debunked assertion that childhood vaccines cause autism.
Yet, in a recent NPR interview, Kennedy insisted he’s “never been anti-vaccine.” Instead, he positioned himself as a defender of “medical freedom,” emphasizing the importance of individual choice and informed decision-making when it comes to vaccines and other public health measures. But the damage from his past statements may linger, especially among critics who fear the rise of misinformation under his watch.
Kennedy’s appointment comes after a number of behind-the-scenes roles advising Trump and the transition team on health-related matters. He’s been spotted at Mar-a-Lago multiple times, engaging in talks with potential Cabinet picks, including those in the health sector.
Trump, never one to shy away from bold statements, has hinted that he’s ready to let Kennedy “go wild” in his new role. “We’re gonna let him go wild for a little while, then I’m gonna have to maybe rein him back in,” Trump joked at a recent dinner. “He’s got some pretty wild ideas, but most of them are really good.”
It’s no secret that Trump and Kennedy have had their share of public spats, with both throwing insults during the 2024 campaign. When Kennedy initially entered the race, Trump predicted he’d steal votes from President Biden and called him a “far-left liberal.” Kennedy, not one to back down, responded with an X post calling Trump’s rant a “wild and inaccurate barrage of claims” and challenging him to a debate.
While their relationship has been rocky, this appointment marks a fresh chapter, one that could either result in groundbreaking health reform or more controversy—and possibly both. Either way, the health and wellness of America may be in for a serious shakeup under Kennedy’s leadership.
Get ready, folks—this could get interesting!
