Summary

Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as U.S. health secretary has sparked backlash, with critics labeling Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist, a “clear and present danger.”

Advocacy group Public Citizen warned the appointment could lead to a “public health catastrophe,” while physicians condemned Kennedy’s history of spreading vaccine misinformation, linking it to fatal outbreaks like the 2019 Samoa measles epidemic.

Kennedy has also promoted debunked health claims, including raw milk and ivermectin for COVID, prompting fears his leadership could undermine U.S. health infrastructure.