United States President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Announcing this in a statement on his X handle, Mr Trump expressed confidence that the former presidential aspirant, who stepped down for him to emerge as the Republican candidate, will help elevate the standard of the HHS for the benefit of Americans.

Mr Trump, in the statement, said, “I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).”

The president-elect, who lamented the deceptive information being passed across by drug companies in the country that has been negatively impacting citizens, said the HHS, under Mr Kennedy’s leadership, will protect citizens against diseases and health hazards.

“For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health. 

“The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. 

“Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies 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!” Mr Trump stated.

Mr Kennedy has long been criticised as a vaccine conspiracy theorist who has been alleged to have been spreading false conspiracy theories about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. But he strongly denied the charges, and some experts have said his positions on vaccines and other medical issues were appropriately reasoned and should not be controversial. 

Mr Kennedy suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Mr Trump in August amid speculation that he would play a major role in a potential second Trump administration. Today’s appointment appeared to bear out those suggestions. 

The appointment marked the latest in a series of controversial nominations Mr Trump has announced this week, including Matt Gaetz for attorney-general and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.