Trump says he wants vaccine skeptic RFK Jr to ‘take care of health’ if he wins

Former President Donald Trump said on Monday he wants anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to “take care of health” if he wins the presidency again, a move that would give the vaccine skeptic a prominent role in shaping U.S. health policy.

Trump made the remarks at a rally in Ohio, where he endorsed Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance. Kennedy, the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, has been a vocal critic of vaccines, and has made false claims about their safety and effectiveness.

Trump has previously said he believes vaccines are safe and effective, but he has also expressed sympathy for vaccine skeptics. In 2019, he met with Kennedy and other anti-vaccine activists at the White House, and he has repeatedly promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine, a drug that has not been shown to be effective against COVID-19.

Trump’s comments come as the U.S. continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1 million people in the U.S. have died from the virus, and the vast majority of those deaths have been among unvaccinated people.

Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent COVID-19, and they have been shown to be safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over the age of 5 get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Trump’s comments have been condemned by public health experts, who say that they could undermine public confidence in vaccines and lead to more people getting sick and dying from COVID-19.

"Trump’s comments are dangerous and irresponsible," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "They could discourage people from getting vaccinated, which could lead to more deaths from COVID-19."