The man who entered the U.S. presidential race as an independent candidate has a reputation for spreading conspiracy theories, particularly concerning Covid-19 vaccines.

Donald Trump has appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, prompting strong reactions from the public health community. Known for his controversial positions on vaccines, Kennedy is a leading figure in the anti-vaccine movement and has made polemical statements, including calling Covid-19 an “ethnically targeted virus”.

In a message posted on his social networks on November 14, Donald Trump justified the choice by claiming that “for too long, Americans have been oppressed by Big Food and Big Pharma, who have consistently misled and misinformed when it comes to public health.” The president-elect said Kennedy’s mission would be to protect the public from the harmful chemicals, pollutants and food additives he believes are contributing to today’s health crises.

The move is not unexpected: at an October rally at Madison Square Garden, Trump had announced his intention to let Kennedy “run wild on drugs”. He had also claimed in his victory speech that he would “give America its health back”. “Bobby wants to take certain actions, and we’re going to let him. He had also said in his victory speech that he would “give America back its health”. “Bobby wants to take certain actions, and we’re going to let him. Have fun, Bobby,” Trump had joked, emphasizing the freedom his administration intends to grant Kennedy.

A former independent candidate with controversial ideas

A polarizing figure, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, assassinated in 1963. He drew fierce criticism for his insinuation that Covid-19 was designed to target certain ethnic groups while sparing others, a claim deemed conspiracy theories and denounced by members of his own family and Republican leaders.

A former independent presidential candidate, Kennedy had ultimately called for a vote for Donald Trump, even though he himself garnered over 300,000 votes. At the same time, Trump also appointed Elon Musk to a new position within his administration, dedicated to “government efficiency”.

With this controversial choice, Trump confirms his desire to shake up public health policies, entrusting strategic roles to unconventional figures.