Robert F. Kennedy JrThe pick for US President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of health and human services has previously strongly opposed Trump, calling him harmful to democracy and criticizing his leadership style until July.
Meanwhile TrumpA political breakthrough in 2016, Kennedy’s “Ring of Fire” radio program featured harsh commentary about Trump supporters and parallels between Trump and Hitler-like authoritarian leaders and Mussolinisuggesting that they similarly capitalize on social fear.
In a December 2016 broadcast, Kennedy “Hitler was interested in policy.” An extensive review by CNN KFile reveals Kennedy’s consistent criticism of Trump over the years.
In 2019, Kennedy criticized the Trump administration for appointing industry lobbyists to regulatory positions — the same areas Kennedy would oversee if confirmed. HHS Secretary.
The HHS role will allow Kennedy to oversee significant US healthcare and food sectors. The department commands a mandatory proposed budget of more than $1.7 trillion and manages critical health organizations, including CDC, FDA, NIH, and the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Kennedy has now expressed support for Trump’s leadership vision and expressed regret for his earlier comments, telling CNN that he was misled by the mainstream media’s portrayal of Trump.
Kennedy’s stance toward Trump softened after his rejection of the Democratic Party during the 2024 primaries, prompting him to pursue an independent candidacy.
Having said in August that he would not serve in Trump’s cabinet, Kennedy later ended his campaign to support Trump. He has since aligned himself with Trump’s positions on government censorship and public health matters.
Newly discovered radio broadcasts highlight previous sharp criticism of Kennedy, including accusations of racism against Trump.
Kennedy accused Trump of manipulating fears and prejudices to build a nationalist movement, while warning about environmental degradation. He compared Trump supporters to those opposed to the civil rights movement.
In a December 2016 broadcast, Kennedy analyzed Trump’s rhetoric alongside historical demagogues who emerged during the crisis.
Kennedy cited a period of global economic instability that enabled demagogues to gain power through the exploitation of fear, citing examples such as Hitler, Franco, Mussolini, Long and Coughlin.
The broadcast included Kennedy’s analysis of Trump’s fear-based messaging about Muslims and various groups, including Barack Obama.
Kennedy drew parallels between Trump and Alabama Governor George Wallace.
In March 2016, Kennedy endorsed Matt Taibbi’s criticism of Trump supporters, reading passages harshly criticizing both Trump and his supporters.
Kennedy’s environmental criticism includes highlighting Trump’s climate change denial and corporate-friendly policies.
In December 2016, Kennedy discussed an article by Michael Mann ranking Trump as the world’s most damaging climate denier.
Kennedy continued his criticism into 2019, comparing Trump’s EPA administration to apocalyptic statistics and condemning Trump’s fossil fuel policies.
