Donald Trump and former Democrat Robert Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine-sceptic positions, promised to "make America healthy again," agreeing first on one thing: their distrust of institutions.
The nephew of assassinated President John F. Kennedy, "RFK" Jr. was credited with some 5% of the vote as an independent candidate before stepping down and endorsing Donald Trump. Much to the chagrin of other members of his famous family.
He, who has no scientific training, is known for spreading conspiracy theories, particularly about Covid-19 vaccines - the same ones developed in record time under the Trump administration.
Trying to reassure, the eccentric member of the Kennedy dynasty recently maintained in interviews that he "would not take away anyone's vaccines." While adding that he would make sure that "Americans are well informed" on the issue.
A colourful character, addicted to heroin in his youth, he recounted during the campaign having abandoned the corpse of a bear cub in Central Park in New York, and having one day had to have a worm removed from his brain.
The announcement of his possible participation in the government had caused concern among some from the start.
But the respected former environmental lawyer, who argued against Monsanto over Roundup herbicide and fought pipeline construction, also has some good ideas, including wanting to tackle pesticides and the obesity problem, experts said.
– “MAHA” Movement –
The two surprise allies are promoting a new movement called MAHA, "Make America Healthy Again," a slogan modeled on the Republican's famous MAGA ("Make America Great Again").
The goal: to "transform" the food, air, water, soil and even "the medicines of our country," he proclaims in a video, in his voice that a neurological disease has made quavering.
"Our top priority will be to clean up the public health agencies," those in charge of health recommendations (CDC), research (NIH), drugs (FDA), but also the American Department of Agriculture, he adds.
They "have become the puppets of the industries they are supposed to regulate," says the septuagenarian, for whom the fight against "corruption" is an obsession.
To FDA employees "part of this system," he advised: "Keep your records" and "pack your boxes."
Donald Trump, who loves fast food, also put him in charge of food.
"We must put an end to the epidemic of chronic diseases," particularly obesity, insists Robert Kennedy Jr., who is also a fan of unpasteurized milk, which is so feared by health agencies.
In a list of proposed measures released in September, he cites lowering the price of anti-diabetes drugs like Ozempic — also a favorite of left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders.
Or the idea of preventing food stamps from being used to buy soda or processed foods.
A measure "that I have defended for 15 years," commented Tom Frieden, director of the CDC under Barack Obama. Before adding: if the fight against chronic diseases is appropriate, the "pseudo-science" of the MAHA movement "is not the solution."
Fluorine
The man nicknamed "Bobby" also caused controversy by saying he would recommend stopping the addition of fluoride to tap water, a measure designed to prevent cavities that the CDC considers one of the 10 greatest health achievements of the 20th century.
During the campaign, Donald Trump had finally declared that he would be in charge of "women's health"
On this issue, "RFK" has had contradictory positions. He recently defended the idea that women should be able to abort their entire pregnancies, not trusting "the government" to exercise power "over bodies."
He then went back on these statements, pronouncing himself in favor of a ban from the viability of the fetus (around 24 weeks). That is the limit set for 50 years before the American Supreme Court, profoundly reworked by Donald Trump, gives back to the States the freedom to legislate on the question in 2022.
English 
French