Washington, 15 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) - President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named the former independent US presidential candidate and declared vaccine opponent Robert F Kennedy Jr as his new administration's health minister.

Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform and on X, said Kennedy will restore the regulatory agencies overseeing food and pharmaceutical safety "to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!"

If confirmed, Kennedy would head the US Health and Human Services Department.

Trump, who is known to have a fast-food habit, said Americans had been suffering "far too long" from the "deception, misinformation and disinformation" from the "industrial food complex" and drug companies.

Trump had already announced that he would assign Kennedy a role in health policy, with the goal of halving the number of cancer and depression cases, as well as child suicides within four years. Trump did not specify how this would be achieved.

Kennedy, 70, had announced just before the election that Trump had promised him "control" over the Health and Agriculture Ministries. He said he would make Americans healthier by moving away from the widespread use of pesticides in agriculture.

The lawyer, who was once known as an environmental activist, withdrew his bid for the the when it became clear he had little support. He then endorsed Trump.

Kennedy hails from the prominent Democratic Kennedy family. He is the nephew of former president John F Kennedy and was a Democrat for decades. But he has increasingly distanced himself from the party. He is frequently criticized not only by Democrats but also by his own family for spreading conspiracy theories and establishing contacts with far-right politicians.

MIA file photo