Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose anti-vaccine historical past attracted right-wing followers to his failed presidential bid, stated Donald Trump has pledged to offer him “management” of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention and different companies if victorious within the election.
The previous impartial candidate, whose personal political household dynasty disavowed his views on COVID-19, made the beautiful comment in a livestream to followers, according to CNN. The community stated it obtained video of it.
Kennedy named umbrella companies over which he’d preside in some vogue, together with the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies and the U.S. Division of Agriculture.
“The important thing that I believe I’m ― you recognize, that President Trump has promised me is ― is management of the general public well being companies, that are HHS and its sub-agencies, CDC, FDA, NIH and some others, after which additionally the USDA, which is ― which, you recognize, is essential to creating America wholesome. As a result of we’ve acquired to get off of seed oils, and we’ve acquired to get off of pesticide-intensive agriculture,” Kennedy stated.
Trump, the Republican nominee, has stated he was contemplating Kennedy, who’s presently campaigning for him, for a job in well being administration. He ominously instructed a rally at Madison Sq. Backyard on Sunday he would let Kennedy “go wild on the medicines” in a possible second Trump White Home.
Kennedy’s repute as a vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist wouldn’t bode nicely for a job within the CDC, which supplied pointers throughout the pandemic.
Kennedy floated a baseless conspiracy principle final 12 months that COVID-19 was “ethnically focused” to assault Caucasian and Black folks whereas “people who find themselves most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese language.” (He later stated he didn’t imply to indicate it was “intentionally engineered” that means.)
Kennedy used comparisons to Nazi Germany to criticize well being mandates to curb the unfold of COVID-19 (although he denied it) and his personal perceived persecution as somebody who questions vaccines.
He additionally falsely claimed that proof “confirms” the COVID-19 shot “is the deadliest vaccine ever made.”
Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris are simply days away from their Nov. 5 showdown for the presidency.
HuffPost has reached out to Trump’s workplace for remark.
