Liberals are losing their collective cool over Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. To hear them tell it, Trump might as well have handed the keys to the kingdom to the boogeyman. Kennedy, once considered Democratic royalty, is now the black sheep of the left, branded a traitor for daring to step out of their ideological lane.
The Kennedy name and the Democratic Party have been intertwined for generations. But over time, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has distanced himself from the party, disillusioned by what he sees as its failure to address core issues. His support for Trump during the last presidential race was the final straw for many on the left, cementing their disdain and, ironically, earning him this top health role in Trump’s administration.
And here’s the kicker: Kennedy Jr. wasn’t always persona non grata in liberal circles. In fact, their own golden boy, Barack Obama, once considered him for a Cabinet position. Back in 2008, reports revealed that Kennedy Jr. was on Obama’s shortlist for EPA Administrator. The idea was to appease liberal factions within the Democratic Party, including heavyweights like Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy.
Politico described the potential appointment as a “shrewd early move” for the incoming Obama administration. Although Obama ultimately passed on Kennedy Jr., the fact that he was seriously considered should give today’s liberals pause. But instead of reflection, we’re getting outrage—and a lot of it.
The left’s meltdown over Kennedy Jr.’s appointment has been nothing short of spectacular. Dr. Ashish Jha, a former COVID-19 coordinator for the Biden administration, led the charge with his dramatic proclamations. “This is an extraordinarily bad choice,” he declared, accusing Kennedy Jr. of undermining evidence-based decision-making at HHS—a claim that conveniently ignores the agency’s recent track record of bowing to corporate interests.
Meanwhile, Republicans are embracing Kennedy Jr. with open arms. Dr. Mehmet Oz praised the choice, highlighting Kennedy’s ability to cut through bureaucracy and bring public attention to neglected issues. “The 86,000 workers at HHS are smothered under corporate capture,” Oz pointed out, expressing optimism about Kennedy’s potential to shake things up.
Even Trump seems thrilled with his pick, telling a rally crowd, “I’m going to let him go wild on health.” And “wild” might be putting it mildly. Kennedy Jr. has long railed against processed foods, herbicides like Roundup, and, most famously, childhood vaccines.
“There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective,” Kennedy declared in July, doubling down on his belief that routine childhood immunizations are linked to autism and other health issues. His stance has been divisive, but it’s also undeniably bold—qualities Trump admires in his appointees.
Kennedy Jr.’s plans don’t stop at vaccines. Trump has reportedly tasked him with reorganizing key agencies, including the CDC, FDA, and NIH. Given Kennedy’s history of challenging the status quo, it’s safe to say this won’t be a quiet tenure.
The left’s outrage aside, Kennedy Jr.’s appointment represents a seismic shift in how public health policy might be approached under Trump’s administration. Love him or hate him, Kennedy Jr. isn’t afraid to take on sacred cows, and that’s precisely why liberals are panicking and conservatives are celebrating.
It’s early days, but one thing is certain: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is about to make health policy very, very interesting.
