AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, and multiple sources familiar with ongoing discussions between the former independent presidential candidate and Trump’s team shared details about what led to this nomination.
A Trump insider told Mediaite on Thursday, “Bobby has been a long time advocate for the health of our country and its children. When he suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump, he was very forthright that he wanted to have a position where he could make meaningful change, including revising the vaccine schedule and holding big Pharma accountable. He is the only man that has taken up this crusade in the public eye and is the right choice for the job.”
In July, Mediaite reported that Kennedy and Trump had a meeting, and having a role at HHS was part of the deal for the independent candidate to drop out of the race and offer his endorsement. Trump’s team asked that Kennedy draft a “Unity Government Proposal” in order to know what the
Kennedy’s campaign sent the pledge, but they never received a response.
The document, Mediaite’s source explained, acknowledged “there were many issues that Trump and [Kennedy] did not agree upon but the unity pledge was important for the nation, especially after the assassination attempt.” In addition, the pledge “outlined a role for Kennedy leading HHS.”
A Kennedy insider told Mediaite of the nomination, “Putting Bobby in a position to start to steer this ship away from the falls – to unravel the regulatory capture and corruption that exists on all levels of our government agencies – would be the best outcome for the entire country and our children.”
Trump has constantly touted Kennedy’s support and declared his intention to put Kennedy in a high position on health issues, referring to him as one of the “best and brightest minds” who has “good ideas” to help “straighten out our health.” Last month at his rally at Madison Square Garden, Trump once again vowed to let Kennedy “go wild on food” and “go wild on medicines” if he’s re-elected.
In a video message streamed live online to his supporters one day after that rally, Kennedy declared that Trump had “promised me” he would be given “control of the public health agencies.” Trump also gave Kennedy a shout out in his victory speech on Election Night, saying he
The president-elect confirmed the nomination in a tweet Thursday, writing:
I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health. The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!