Trump says RFK Jr. proposal to remove fluoride from public water 'sounds fine to me'

CNN
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Former President Donald Trump expressed tentative support Sunday for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s plan to order the removal of fluoride from water supplies during a possible second Trump term, saying that it's “fine with me.” sounds”.

“Well, I haven't talked to him about it yet, but it sounds OK to me,” Trump told NBC News. “You know, it’s possible.”

Trump said Kennedy would “play a big role in health care” if the former president is re-elected, and Kennedy wanted to specifically address vaccines. Kennedy was a leading proponent of debunked conspiracy theories about vaccines.

NBC News asked Trump whether a ban on certain vaccines would be an option.

“Well, I'll talk to (Kennedy) and other people and make a decision, but he's a very talented guy and has strong views,” Trump said.

Kennedy, who Trump has suggested would oversee a health department in a possible future administration, wrote in a social media post Saturday that Trump's administration would “advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water.” “which he believes is related to numerous medical conditions. The former independent presidential candidate described the element as “industrial waste” — and while fluoride can be a byproduct of some industries, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it also occurs naturally in the environment in water and rocks.

“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all of the United States. Water systems to remove fluoride from public waters. “Fluoride is an industrial waste that has been linked to arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease,” Kennedy wrote.

When asked about Kennedy's comments, Trump senior campaign adviser Danielle Alvarez told CNN: “While President Trump has been given a variety of policy ideas, he is focused on Tuesday's election.”

State and local governments control the majority of water supplies in communities across the country. The CDC recommends fluoridation of community water as a cost-effective way to improve residents' oral health. Exposure to fluoride in excess of public health recommended levels over many years can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a condition that causes weaker bones and joint pain. A federal study released in August by the National Institutes of Health's toxicology program concluded that higher levels of fluoride are linked to reduced intelligence quotients in children. The program based its conclusion on studies that found fluoride levels were about twice the recommended limit for drinking water.

Kennedy has a long history of spreading unfounded conspiracy theories about the effects of man-made chemicals on the environment. CNN has previously reported that Kennedy, who was an environmental lawyer before entering politics, has repeatedly suggested that chemicals in the environment could turn children gay or transgender. Similar claims have gained popularity in fringe circles over the years, thanks in part to prominent conspiracy theorists like Kennedy and conservative radio host Alex Jones, who famously said chemicals in water would “turn the damn frogs gay.”

Kennedy and Trump have both touted a broad public health portfolio for the former independent presidential candidate and anti-vaxxer in Trump's administration. Kennedy said in an organizing call last week that Trump told him he would oversee several public health agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture.

At a campaign rally in New York last week, Trump said he would let Kennedy “go for health,” “go for food” and “go for medication.” At a rally in Michigan on Friday, Trump said Kennedy would “play a big role in health care” and had “some views that I happen to agree with very strongly.”

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

CNN's Kate Sullivan contributed to this report.