PHOENIX — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a outstanding supporter of the debunked public well being claims that Donald Trump has promised to depend on well being initiatives, stated Saturday that Trump will push to take away fluoride from ingesting water on his first day in workplace.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fluoride strengthens tooth and reduces tooth decay by changing minerals misplaced throughout regular put on and tear. Adding low ranges of fluoride to ingesting water has lengthy been thought-about one of many biggest public well being achievements of the final century.
Kennedy made the statement on social media platform X together with a collection of claims in regards to the well being results of fluoride.
“On January 20, the Trump White House will notify the complete United States. water methods to take away fluoride from public water,” Kennedy wrote. Trump and his spouse, Melania Trump, “need to make America wholesome once more,” he added, repeating a phrase Trump usually makes use of and hyperlinks to Kennedy.
It is unclear whether or not Kennedy mentioned Saturday’s publish with Trump or his aides. The Trump marketing campaign didn’t reply immediately, and a spokesperson for Kennedy didn’t reply when requested.
“Although President Trump has been given plenty of coverage concepts, he’s centered on Tuesday’s election,” stated Danielle Alvarez, a senior adviser to Trump’s marketing campaign.
But the sudden and sudden social media publish over the weekend evoked the chaotic decision-making that outlined Trump’s tenure within the White House, when he made political statements on Twitter at just about all hours. It additionally highlighted many specialists’ considerations about Kennedy doing so long-promoted debunked theories on the protection of vaccines, having affect on public well being within the United States.
In 1950, federal officers accredited water fluoridation to stop tooth decay and continued to market it even after fluoridated toothpaste manufacturers hit the market a number of years later. Although fluoride can come from a number of sources, ingesting water is the first supply for Americans, researchers say.
Officials lowered their advice on fluoride ranges in ingesting water in 2015 to handle a tooth situation known as fluorosis, which may trigger tooth staining and was turning into extra frequent amongst U.S. kids.
In August, a federal company determined “with average certainty” that there’s a hyperlink between larger ranges of fluoride publicity and decrease IQ in kids. The National Toxicology Program based mostly its findings on research involving fluoride ranges roughly double the beneficial restrict for ingesting water.
A federal decide later cited that examine put in order the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to additional regulate fluoride in ingesting water. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen cautioned that it isn’t sure that the quantity of fluoride usually added to water is inflicting low IQ in kids, however concluded that rising analysis signifies an unreasonable danger that is perhaps. He directed the EPA to take steps to cut back that danger, however didn’t say what these steps must be.
In his X publish on Saturday, Kennedy tagged Michael Connett, the lead lawyer representing the plaintiff in that lawsuit, environmental advocacy group Food & Water Watch.
Kennedy’s anti-vaccine group has a pending lawsuit in opposition to information organizations together with the Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust legal guidelines by performing to determine misinformation, together with about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy is on go away from the group however is listed as one in every of its attorneys within the lawsuit.
What function Kennedy may play if Trump wins on Tuesday stays unclear. Kennedy just lately informed NewsNation that Trump requested him to “reorganize” businesses, together with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and a few businesses of the Department of Agriculture.
But for now, the previous impartial presidential candidate has develop into one in every of Trump’s essential surrogates. Trump usually mentions assist from Kennedy, scion of a Democratic dynasty and son of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy.
Kennedy traveled with Trump on Friday and spoke at his rallies in Michigan and Wisconsin.
On Saturday, Trump stated he informed Kennedy, “You can work on meals, you may work on something you need” besides oil coverage.
“He desires well being, he desires ladies’s well being, he desires males’s well being, he desires kids, he desires all the things,” Trump added.
