RFK Jr chosen as Donald Trump's health secretary - as president-elect says he will do 'unbelievable things'

Donald Trump has appointed vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his new Secretary of Health, claiming that Kennedy will accomplish "remarkable things."

Donald Trump Jr shared the news on X, shortly followed by the president-elect who officially confirmed the appointment.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, was previously a Democratic candidate for president. However, he decided to leave the race and threw his support behind Mr. Trump in August.

For easier access to the video player, we recommend using the Chrome browser.

As a reward for Mr. Kennedy's backing throughout the election, president-elect Trump promised to assign him a significant position. It was widely noted that RFK Jr. was particularly interested in the role related to health.

On Thursday evening, Mr. Trump addressed a gala held at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which was attended by tech mogul Elon Musk and actor Sylvester Stallone.

Speaking directly to RFK Jr., who was present in the crowd, Mr. Trump remarked, "We encourage you to share your thoughts... and concepts... and the issues you've been discussing for a while now. I believe you’re going to achieve remarkable things. No one else can do it quite like you."

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encompasses organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Medicare, Medicaid, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

RFK Jr stated on X that he will bring these agencies back to the principles of high-quality scientific research and transparency, aiming to combat the ongoing epidemic of chronic diseases and to help Make America Great and Healthy Again.

Mr. Trump stated, "Americans have suffered for too long under the control of the industrial food system and pharmaceutical companies that have misled the public with lies and misinformation regarding health issues."

"The foremost responsibility of any administration is to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens."

Mr. Kennedy is a well-known critic of vaccines, and he has spread false information several times, including the debunked idea that vaccines for children lead to autism.

Spreaker: This content comes from Spreaker, which might be utilizing cookies and similar technologies. To display this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can adjust your preferences using the buttons below to either enable Spreaker cookies or allow them for this session only. You can modify your settings at any time through the Privacy Options. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to confirm whether you have agreed to Spreaker cookies. To access this content, please click the button below to permit Spreaker cookies for this session.

Stay updated with Sky News on WhatsApp.

Stay updated on the latest headlines from the UK and across the globe by following Sky News.

The health department overseen by RFK Jr. will be instrumental in making sure that everyone is safeguarded from harmful substances like chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and food additives that have played a significant role in the serious health issues facing the nation, the president-elect stated.

Previously, his son Donald Trump Jr. was the first to announce the new appointment, stating on X: "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services! Promises have been fulfilled."

Check it out: Who’s part of Trump’s inner circle and who isn’t? Who exactly is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?

For a better viewing experience, we recommend using the Chrome browser for the video player.

RFK Jr.'s role still requires approval through a vote in the Senate. However, even though the Senate is currently controlled by Republicans, he might encounter resistance due to his stance on health-related matters.

Before Mr. Trump revealed his decision, Mr. Kennedy had already stated that the new president would aim to eliminate fluoride from drinking water on his very first day in office. The inclusion of this substance has been recognized for its benefits in promoting dental health.

The RKF Jr department aims to manage a workforce of over 80,000 individuals throughout the United States.