Former president Donald Trump expressed support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s suggestion to eliminate fluoride from the U.S. water system, a stance contrary to public health agencies’ recommendations. Trump mentioned in an interview with NBC News that Kennedy’s proposal seemed acceptable to him, although he had not discussed it with Kennedy yet. Kennedy had posted that the Trump White House would advise U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.
Trump also indicated that Kennedy would play a significant role in shaping public health policy in a potential Trump administration. Fluoride, which occurs naturally in most water sources and is added to public water to aid in cavity prevention, has been endorsed for its safety and benefits by various scientific and public health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Dental Association.
Despite the established scientific consensus on fluoride and water fluoridation, Trump’s skepticism and potential implications for public health under a Trump administration pose a challenge for the Trump campaign in maintaining a consistent message. The campaign faced previous controversies, such as comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico, which the campaign distanced itself from. The focus on such issues detracts from larger concerns in the election, according to Republicans, who argue that voters are more concerned about significant matters like crime, unemployment, and the border.
