The New York Post’s editorial board is sharply criticizing President-elect Trump’s decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. The newspaper has taken issue with Kennedy’s health-related views, describing them as a “baffling jumble of what can only be called misguided conspiracy theories,” extending beyond just his stance on vaccines.
In a scathing review of an interview with Kennedy conducted during his independent presidential campaign, the Post highlighted his claim that America’s chronic health issues all began in the 1980s, a period when, according to him, a series of harmful events uncovered.
The editorial continued, pointing out that while such ideas may find traction among conspiracy enthusiasts on platforms like Twitter, they fail to convince a broader audience. “We came away from the conversation thinking he’s off the mark in a lot of areas,” the paper remarked.
Kennedy, who exited the presidential race this summer and threw his support behind Trump, has sparked considerable controversy due to his public remarks on vaccines, COVID-19, and broader health issues. Despite the backlash, Trump has embraced Kennedy’s ideas, claiming the former Democrat will be a key ally in his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
The Post, however, urges the president-elect to focus on his core campaign promises, such as improving the economy, securing the border, and addressing global challenges, rather than defending what it calls “crackpot theories” or attempting to rein in Kennedy’s more controversial statements.
“We’re concerned that the strange affliction he claims to have suffered years ago might have spread, and there’s now a contagious outbreak at Mar-a-Lago,” the editorial warned.