Former President Donald Trump said in a phone interview with NBC News that he was open to some of his more controversial ideas, saying on Tuesday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would have a “big role in governing” if he wins.
Kennedy, who ran for president as an independent this year and supported Trump, has long spread conspiracies. lies about vaccines and other public health issues. He, for example, it is often claimed that vaccines are linked to autismalthough decades of research have disproved this theory.
Asked on Sunday whether banning some vaccines would be an option in a second term, the former president did not rule it out.
“Okay, I’ll talk [Kennedy] and talk to other people, I’ll make a decision, but he’s a very talented guy and he has strong views,” Trump said.
Trump declined to talk about the specific roles he might play in Kennedy’s administration, but in recent public appearances, Trump has made it clear he envisions an important role for him.
“He can do whatever he wants,” Trump said Thursday at an event in Arizona.
He said Kennedy would “work on health and women’s health,” and two sources close to the Trump campaign told NBC News that he could play an important role in the fight.chronic childhood disease.”
On Friday, Kennedy tweeted that there would be a Trump administration on his first day in office push to ban fluoride in waterIt claims that it is “industrial waste” that causes problems such as cancer and other diseases.
“Well, I haven’t talked to him about it yet, but I’m fine with it,” Trump said Sunday when asked about the plan. “You know, it’s possible.”
Major public health groups support water fluoridationand health groups also emphasize that the practice is safe.
There is a Trump team He hugged Kennedy and some of his fringe views in recent days.
Last week, Howard Lutnick, co-chair of Trump’s transition team, praised Kennedy and asked if vaccines were “good.”
In an episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” last week, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, also spoke about his experience with the Covid vaccine. skepticism about this.