Kennedy's direct attack on the US health institutions came when he was sworn in as a minister at the White House.
Kennedy, who comes from the politically powerful Kennedy clan, has chosen to profile himself with, among other things, sharp vaccine criticism and conspiracy theories about, among other things, the COVID vaccine, which he claims causes autism.
He repeated parts of his criticism of mass vaccination when he was sworn in, but at the same time believed that he had been misunderstood.
Vaccines should be tested, they should be safe, and everyone should have the right to decide after being informed, said Kennedy, referring to "common sense".
Great responsibility
At the same time, Kennedy said that the state health institutions should meet the same fate as the aid organization USAID – which was shut down by the Trump administration. And then Kennedy said that the health institutes "steal our children's health".
As Health Minister, the 71-year-old Kennedy will be responsible for a budget of 1,700 billion dollars and 80,000 employees.
The questioning of Kennedy and his views on healthcare was intense. In the end, he received 52 senator votes – all Republicans, while 48 voted against.
Cousin of JFK
The former powerful Republican Mitch McConnell chose to break party lines and vote against Kennedy.
"A background of spreading dangerous conspiracy theories and undermining public trust in health institutions" makes Kennedy unsuitable, he said.
The new Health Minister carries a great political legacy. He is the son of Justice Minister "Bobby" Kennedy, the Democratic presidential candidate who was murdered in 1968, and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy.
He himself has chosen to distance himself from the Democrats, and ran as an independent presidential candidate in the US's latest election – and later backed President Trump's candidacy.
