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Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, announced on Friday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic and member of the Kennedy family, would hold a “big role” in his administration if elected. Speaking in Dearborn, Michigan, Trump praised Kennedy’s health-related knowledge, suggesting he would be well-suited for a senior role in health care. While Trump did not directly endorse Kennedy’s anti-vaccine views, he indicated alignment with some of Kennedy’s perspectives.
Kennedy, who initially ran as an independent earlier in the election, dropped out in August to support Trump. Rumors suggest he could be a candidate for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Last week, Trump hinted at a rally in New York that Kennedy would have significant leeway in handling health policies, with further comments on “women’s health” raising concerns among Democrats, especially given recent restrictions on abortion rights across more than 20 states.
Kennedy has been a major figure in the anti-vaccine movement, previously describing Covid-19 vaccines as exceptionally dangerous and claiming the virus was designed to target certain ethnic groups. Formerly recognized as a climate lawyer, Kennedy was once considered for a top role in the Environmental Protection Agency under Barack Obama’s administration.
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