PHOENIX — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known advocate for controversial public health beliefs, made headlines over the weekend after declaring that should Donald Trump return to office, he plans to initiate the removal of fluoride from public drinking water on his first day. This statement comes amidst Trump’s commitment to appoint Kennedy to lead health initiatives, further connecting them in their health-focused agenda.
Fluoride has long been recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its ability to fortify teeth and decrease cavities, establishing its addition to drinking water as one of the most significant public health milestones of the past century. Kennedy’s remarks were shared via social media platform X, where he presented various claims regarding the implications of fluoride on health.
“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water,” stated Kennedy. He emphasized that Trump and his wife, Melania, aim to “Make America Healthy Again,” a slogan that resonates with Trump’s campaign messaging, which has been consistently linked with Kennedy.
It remains uncertain whether Kennedy’s statements were shared with Trump or his team prior to posting. Both Trump’s campaign representatives and Kennedy’s spokesperson refrained from addressing inquiries related to the matter on Saturday evening. Kennedy’s unexpected announcement revived memories of the unpredictable policy-making that characterized Trump’s administration, where policy updates were frequently shared through his Twitter account at all hours. This also raised concerns among experts about Kennedy’s potential influence over U.S. public health, especially given his history of championing debunked narratives regarding vaccine safety.
The federal endorsement of water fluoridation began in 1950 to help combat tooth decay and continued even after the emergence of various fluoride toothpaste brands. While fluoride can originate from multiple avenues, research indicates that drinking water remains the predominant source for Americans. In 2015, officials adjusted their recommendations for fluoride levels in drinking water to address an increase in a dental condition known as fluorosis, which often manifests as blotches on teeth in children.
In August, a federal agency reported a “moderate confidence” link between high fluoride exposure levels and reduced IQ in children. This conclusion stemmed from studies examining fluoride concentrations that were approximately double the recommended levels in drinking water. Following this, a federal judge referenced the findings in a ruling that required the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to impose stricter regulations on fluoride content in drinking water. Judge Edward Chen noted that while it is not definitively proven that typical fluoride levels in water detrimentally affect children’s IQ, accumulating research indicates there is a risk present, prompting him to order regulatory action from the EPA without specifying particular measures.
Kennedy’s post on X also mentioned Michael Connett, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the case involving the EPA and fluoride regulation, which is backed by the environmental advocacy group Food & Water Watch. Additionally, Kennedy heads an anti-vaccine organization that has filed a lawsuit against several news organizations, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by targeting misinformation regarding COVID-19 and vaccines. Although currently on leave from the group, Kennedy is still listed as one of the attorneys in the lawsuit.
Should Trump prevail in the upcoming election, the extent of Kennedy’s involvement remains ambiguous. Recently, he indicated to NewsNation that Trump has tasked him with “reorganizing” several health agencies, including the CDC, NIH, FDA, and others linked to the Department of Agriculture.
In the meantime, Kennedy has emerged as one of Trump’s most significant allies. Trump frequently highlights his backing from Kennedy, who is a prominent figure in a historical Democratic family as the son of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy.
Kennedy has been actively campaigning alongside Trump, recently attending rallies in Michigan and Wisconsin. Trump noted on Saturday that he informed Kennedy, “You can work on food, you can work on anything you want” with the exception of policies related to oil. “He wants health, he wants women’s health, he wants men’s health, he wants kids, he wants everything,” Trump elaborated.