RFK: Vaccine Septic as Health Secretary

Following Donald Trump’s election, the U.S public has seen a host of unfortunate characters nominated for the positions as government secretaries. From choosing Linda McMahon, top wrestling executive, to lead the Department of Education (all the teachers are probably excited to see the new changes) and Matt Gaetz as Secretary from the Department of Justice (where he promises to work against its “weaponization”).

But what could be seen as the most appalling and detrimental appointment is Robert F. Kennedy Jr to the position of Secretary of Health. He has often boasted about his healthy condition as a seventy-year-old and plans to make many sweeping reforms. But he was an unexpected choice for this position. RFK Jr. is part of the Kenndey family, the nephew of late President John F Kennedy. He originally announced his run to become president as Democratic Candidate. However, he would drop his bid to become president to throw his support behind President-Elect Trump. Trump, during his rallies, was touting Kennedy as someone who “cares more about human beings, health and the environment than anybody”. He has fully embraced the MAGA agenda, even coining the phrase “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA).

With this comes more information about his past health conditions and current radical beliefs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia at age 42, causing his voice to become raspy. This condition is neurological and caused by abnormal functioning in an area of the brain called the basal ganglia. However, he has repeatedly blamed it on the flu vaccine that he received. Kennedy has been a main proponent of recent anti-vaccine sentiment, as the chair of the Children’s Health Defense, which advocates against child vaccinations. In 2023, he went on a Joe Rogan Podcast to explain a myriad of scientific theories, including the vaccines cause autism. That idea has long been discredited and the CDC has a vaccine schedule under the Department of Health that requires the same flu shot he believes caused his disorder. Yet, he denies being an “anti-vaxxer” and told NBC News a day after Trump’s victory that he will not “take away anybody’s vaccines”.

But what he will take away is the fluoride in our water (insert a deflated laugh). According to the CDC website, most communities in the US have a small amount of fluoride added to tap water to prevent cavities and improve tooth health, as it is the main active ingredient in toothpaste. In any sane person, this would seem to be a major achievement in public infrastructure. Not for Kenndedy! He wrote on social media site, Truth Social, that “Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease”. None of these claims have been validated and there is still failing water infrastructure in states, such as North Carolina, California, and Ohio. It would be more important to address those issues before fighting the imaginary threat of fluoride. However, it would seem that real health issues are not a concern to Kennedy as his main priority is to down-size the government bureaucracy that is the FDA. In October this year, Kennedy wrote in an X post: “If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags.”