Robert F Kennedy Jr, selected as US President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of health and human services, previously voiced strong opposition to Trump, describing him as detrimental to democracy and criticising his leadership style through July.
During Trump‘s political emergence in 2016, Kennedy’s “Ring of Fire” radio programme featured harsh commentary about Trump supporters and drew parallels between Trump and authoritarian leaders like Hitler and Mussolini, suggesting they similarly capitalised on societal fears.
In a December 2016 broadcast, Kennedy distinguished Trump from Hitler by noting that “Hitler was interested in policy.” A comprehensive review by CNN KFile reveals Kennedy’s sustained criticism of Trump throughout the years.
In 2019, Kennedy criticised Trump’s administration for appointing industry lobbyists to regulatory positions—the same sectors Kennedy would oversee if confirmed as HHS secretary.
The HHS role would grant Kennedy oversight of significant American healthcare and food sectors. The department commands a mandatory proposed budget exceeding $1.7 trillion and manages crucial health organisations including the CDC, FDA, NIH, and Medicare and Medicaid programmes.
Kennedy has now expressed support for Trump’s leadership vision and regret for his previous remarks, telling CNN he had been misled by mainstream media portrayals of Trump.
Kennedy’s stance towards Trump softened after the Democratic Party’s rejection during the 2024 primary led him to pursue an independent candidacy.
Despite stating in August he wouldn’t serve in Trump’s cabinet, Kennedy later ended his campaign to support Trump. He has since aligned with Trump’s positions on government censorship and public health matters.
The newly discovered radio broadcasts highlight Kennedy’s previous intense criticism, including accusations of racism against Trump.
Kennedy accused Trump of manipulating fears and prejudices to build a nationalist movement, whilst warning about environmental degradation. He compared Trump’s supporters to those who opposed the civil rights movement.
In a December 2016 broadcast, Kennedy analysed Trump’s rhetoric alongside historical demagogues who emerged during crises.
Kennedy referenced global economic instability periods that enabled demagogues to gain power through fear exploitation, citing examples like Hitler, Franco, Mussolini, Long and Coughlin.
The broadcast included Kennedy’s analysis of Trump’s fear-based messaging regarding various groups, including Muslims and Barack Obama.
Kennedy drew parallels between Trump and George Wallace, the segregationist Alabama governor.
In March 2016, Kennedy endorsed Matt Taibbi’s critique of Trump’s supporters, reading passages that severely criticised both Trump and his followers.
Kennedy’s environmental criticism included highlighting Trump’s climate change denial and corporate-friendly policies.
In December 2016, Kennedy discussed Michael Mann’s article ranking Trump as the world’s most damaging climate denier.
Kennedy continued his criticism through 2019, comparing Trump’s EPA administrator to apocalyptic figures and condemning Trump’s fossil fuel policies.
