### R.F.K. Jr. Claims Trump Promised Control of Health Agencies; Campaign Says Discussions Premature

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed this week that former President Donald J. Trump has promised him authority over the nation's public health agencies if Trump wins the upcoming election. This assertion was made during an online organizing call with Kennedy's supporters. However, the Trump campaign has not confirmed such commitments, describing discussions about future roles as premature.

Steven Cheung, a campaign spokesman, clarified the situation in a statement, mentioning the formation of a Trump-Vance transition leadership group to prepare for post-election proceedings. He emphasized that formal talks about appointments in a potential second Trump administration have not yet begun.

Kennedy, who suspended his own presidential campaign in August, expressed his willingness to help Trump in tackling conflicts and corruption within public health agencies. In a message to The New York Times, Kennedy affirmed his readiness to support the move towards evidence-based science in these institutions. He shared a recording of an internal discussion with campaign workers about mobilizing efforts for Trump.

The 70-year-old environmental lawyer, known for leading the "medical freedom movement" that opposes vaccine mandates, has been vocal about his desire to play a significant role in public health oversight. He has long criticized pharmaceutical treatments and asserted a pressing need to reform the federal health care and agriculture systems, describing them as corrupt and dangerous. His stances have garnered support from his followers but concern from medical professionals.

In the online call, Kennedy specified that the key promise he believes Trump made to him involves control over the Department of Health and Human Services (H.H.S.) and its subagencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.), and the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.). Kennedy's agenda includes redirecting the N.I.H. away from developing drugs toward investigating causes of autism, autoimmune diseases, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Recent statements from the Trump campaign, including remarks made at a rally and on Joe Rogan's podcast, suggest Trump’s intention to involve Kennedy in his administration without specifying a particular role. National press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Trump plans to collaborate with Kennedy to promote health initiatives and address the chronic disease epidemic affecting children.

Leavitt highlighted that a second Trump administration would likely establish a commission to investigate the long-term rise in chronic illnesses, aiming to make America healthier.