New York Post Slams RFK Jr.’s ‘Crackpot Theories’ In Stunning Trump Pick Rejection: ‘Nuts On A Lot Of Fronts!’
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
The New York Post editorial board delivered a scathing rejection of President-elect Donald Trump’s pick of Robert F Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), calling it a move that “breaks the first rule of medicine: First, do no harm.”
The Post’s opposition, published Friday, is notable. Not only did the newspaper endorse Trump’s presidential bid, but is also owned by billionaire conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Kennedy Jr., a vocal critic of vaccines and modern medical practices, has been a polarizing figure in public health discussions. The editorial board recalls its 2023 interview with Kennedy Jr., during which he impressed with sharp insights into political dynamics but baffled by his approach to health issues, branding him “nuts” and unfit for the role.
When it came to that topic his views were a head-scratching spaghetti of what we can only call warped conspiracy theories, and not just on vaccines.
“Neocons” are responsible for America’s policy ills. “Pesticides, cellphones, ultrasound” could be driving an upswing in Tourette syndrome and peanut allergies.
He told us with full conviction that all America’s chronic health problems began in one year in the 1980s when a dozen bad things happened.
Convincing to the gullible conspiracy-hungry crowd on Twitter, but not to the rest of us.
In fact, we came out thinking he’s nuts on a lot of fronts.
The editorial also warns of practical concerns with Kennedy at the helm of HHS, which oversees over 100 programs and a workforce of 83,000 people.
A radical, prolonged and confused transition ordered by a guy like RFK Jr., who will use his high office to spout his controversial beliefs, leaves a lot of room for things to go wrong — and for people to wind up harmed or even dead.
Noting that Kennedy’s environmental stances, such as banning fracking and pesticides, clash with Trump’s pro-industry policies, the Post suggests the nomination could become an unnecessary distraction for the incoming administration.
“Trump’s team needs to focus on delivering change… not spend energy either having to defend crackpot theories or trying to control RFK Jr.’s mouth,” the board wrote.
In a jibe at Trump, it concluded: “We fear the worm that he claims ate some of his brain some years ago is contagious, and there’s been an outbreak at Mar-a-Lago.”
