Staff Reports
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has decided to throw his hat in the ring to help shape American agriculture policy if Donald Trump regains the presidency. This comes after he wrapped up his short-lived independent run and endorsed Trump, a move that has raised more than a few eyebrows among both pundits and the general public. Filming himself outside the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Kennedy promised a drastic overhaul of dietary guidelines he claims have been hijacked by corporate interests. Apparently, he believes he can resurrect American agriculture and health with ideas that stand in stark contrast to those implemented during Trump’s previous term.
Kennedy’s claims about the USDA are riveting, to say the least. With 70% of the American diet now dominated by ultra-processed foods, he thinks he has the solution. He pitched a spirited message about how he would wield influence over farming and food policies if he were welcomed into a Trump administration. Those who enjoy their freedom to choose what they eat are understandably raising eyebrows. It seems Kennedy has lofty dreams of transforming the entire food system, despite many in agriculture having reservations about his anti-establishment, often anti-corporate narrative.
Here is @RobertKennedyJr laying out how he & @realDonaldTrump are going to Make America Healthy Again & give back our farming industry to the small local farmers.
If you support RFKJr booting all the corrupt bureaucrats from their jobs, then vote for Donald J. Trump. pic.twitter.com/eTowvyCZF2
— Bryce Lipscomb 🇺🇸 (@BryceMLipscomb) October 14, 2024
While Trump fans might want to give Kennedy a chance, public health experts aren’t particularly enthusiastic. They’ve been busy pointing out that Kennedy has a penchant for spreading misinformation, particularly regarding vaccines and their safety. Scientists and health agencies, who are often viewed as the gatekeepers of medical wisdom, see his influence as a potential problem. After all, the World Health Organization credits vaccines with preventing millions of deaths globally. It would be amusing to see a would-be agricultural czar try to convince rural Americans that a diet of soy substitutes and organic kale is the cure-all for what ails them.
The timing of this grand vision for America’s agriculture seems a little peculiar since Kennedy’s recent endorsement is more about political posturing than solid policy development. Nevertheless, there appears to be some unquantifiable support bubbling up for Kennedy within certain segments of the Republican base, especially among vaccine skeptics and anti-establishment voters. However, a poll suggested that a significant number of Republicans are still on the fence, and it’s unclear exactly what impact he would have on Trump’s election odds. It’s almost as if voters are waiting for Kennedy to swing a pitchfork and declare himself the next agricultural revolution’s Johnny Appleseed.
Kennedy’s environmental lawyer background raises questions about how well he would navigate the agricultural landscape, particularly with rural farmers who rely on large-scale farming methods. His views on herbicides and corporate farms are likely to ruffle more than a few feathers among those who are keeping America fed. The reality of farming means that efficiency and productivity are king, and Kennedy’s selective focus on health over scale might just hit a wall when confronted with the facts of agricultural economics.
The prospect of Kennedy commanding influence over health and environmental policy is a mixed bag, even for the most diehard Trump supporters. It’s as if they want to support a candidate who can identify problems but aren’t sure that Kennedy is the man for the job, especially given his history. There seems to be a consensus that until these discussions become formalized, there’s no reason to worry. After all, this is just politics, and the only thing predictable about it is the unpredictability. So, as the election looms ahead, it remains to be seen whether RFK Jr.’s food fight will find a home in America’s heartland, or if it’ll be left marinating on the sidelines.
