Since being tapped as President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial choose to guide the Division of Well being and Human Providers, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been criticized by medical and public well being specialists for his anti-vaccine historical past, his present vaccine skepticism, his tackle the COVID-19 pandemic — and by some for his descriptions of fluorinated water. However a few of the environmental lawyer’s views are additionally receiving help from some surprising sources.
On Wednesday, famend meals creator Michael Pollan echoed these criticisms — however supplied some reward for Kennedy’s criticism of the American meals trade, which Kennedy has accused of propagating weight problems and continual illness.
“He is voicing a critique of the meals system that’s necessary,” Pollan advised ABC Information, whereas making clear he was drawing a “robust distinction” between Kennedy’s meals stances and his medical recommendation — and that he thinks Kennedy is a “horrible” alternative for the job.
Pollan’s feedback be a part of a stance taken in latest days by some outstanding Democrats who’ve praised Kennedy for his vows to “Make America Wholesome Once more,” partly by tackling the meals trade — whereas condemning him for his years working towards vaccine well being insurance policies.
The feedback from Pollan to ABC Information got here after he shared a seemingly optimistic article on social media about Kennedy titled, “They’re mendacity about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.” — a transfer that prompted Kennedy himself to answer and recommend they work collectively.
“Thanks @michaelpollan!” Kennedy wrote Thursday on X. “I might like to work with you to revive our public well being businesses to their wealthy custom of gold-standard, evidence-based science and Make America Wholesome Once more.”
Requested if he would take Kennedy up on the provide, Pollan was clear: “No.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., arrives earlier than Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks throughout a marketing campaign rally at Macomb Group School, Nov. 1, 2024, in Warren, Mich.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
“I’ve obtained my position to play, and that is not the position,” he advised ABC Information.
Kennedy has confronted fierce criticism over his claims that vaccines are behind an “epidemic” of ailments in America, and that cavity-fighting mineral fluoride, added in small quantities to some consuming water, is “industrial waste.” Pollan stated Kennedy’s stances on vaccines and fluoride “appear nutty” and that he was general a “horrible” choose to guide HHS.
However Pollan — who has authored a number of books, together with a number of on the consequences of meals on the human physique — supplied some reward for Kennedy for his views on ultra-processed meals and the overuse of corn and soy.
“He is injected these points into the nationwide dialog, and I believe that is an enormous deal,” Pollan stated.
He additionally praised Kennedy for linking the epidemic of weight problems and continual illness to agricultural insurance policies — a transfer he stated is “actually necessary.”
“I am searching for glimmers in an in any other case bleak panorama,” Pollan stated.
Pollan’s approval of Kennedy’s meals stances follows comparable reward from some Democrat officers.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis stated he was “excited by the information” that Kennedy had been appointed to guide HHS, writing on X that he was “most optimistic” about Kennedy “taking up massive pharma and the company ag oligopoly to enhance our well being.”
He wrote in a subsequent submit that “Science should stay THE cornerstone of our nation’s well being coverage” and stated “the science-backed determination to get vaccinated improves public well being and security,” however famous that he’s “for a serious shake-up in establishments just like the FDA which were boundaries to reducing drug prices and selling wholesome meals decisions.”
Earlier this week, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey posted a video on social media about how he has been “elevating the alarm of the risks of our present meals system.”
“Meals in America is making us sick,” Booker stated within the video. Although he didn’t point out Kennedy by title, Kennedy reposted the video, thanking Booker for his “lengthy historical past of management on this subject.”
Requested by ABC Information, Booker stated he had not but made up his thoughts on Kennedy’s nomination, saying that Kennedy would wish to undergo the affirmation course of and that Kennedy’s stances on vaccines have been “very troubling.” He added he was “tremendous skeptical of the Trump administration’s efforts in any approach to say that they will be doing issues to make us extra wholesome.”
Nonetheless, Booker added he was “comfortable to listen to” Kennedy on a few of the points round well being, saying, “There is a rising coalition in America from each side of the aisle actually demanding change. I hope, if the Trump administration is prepared to do one thing proper and optimistic on these points, I will be proper there.”
“With regards to RFK, we’ll have a look at the totality of his file, we’ll consider and decide, however my focus is attempting to dam Trump from doing extra injury to Individuals well being, like he did final time,” Booker stated.
Pollan, for his half, questioned simply how a lot Trump would let Kennedy make true reforms to the meals trade, ought to Kennedy be confirmed.
“I’ve my doubts about whether or not Trump goes to offer him authority to do what he desires to do round meals,” Pollan stated of Kennedy, who over the weekend was in a viral photograph consuming McDonald’s with Trump and others on Trump’s airplane. “Whether or not he’ll get anyplace, I’ve my doubts — however I’m happy to see these points getting talked about.”
