Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that if Donald Trump is re-elected, his administration will issue guidance on the first day in office urging all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public tap water. According to Kennedy, fluoride poses numerous health risks and removing it would mark a major step toward improving the country’s health. The proposal reflects growing concern among some Americans about water fluoridation, which has been a standard public health practice in the U.S. since the 1940s to prevent tooth decay.
Kennedy, a vocal advocate for environmental and public health reform, shared the announcement on his X account (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, calling fluoride in drinking water “industrial waste.” He stated that the Trump administration plans to advise against its continued use due to its alleged association with various health issues, including arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ reduction, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease. “On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water,” Kennedy wrote. He ended his post with a call to “Make America Healthy Again,” a variation on Trump’s popular slogan.
This announcement follows Trump’s recent remarks confirming that Kennedy would join his administration to work on health-related issues if he is elected. Speaking at a rally in Nevada, Trump said he has asked Kennedy to focus on matters related to public health, particularly in areas like women’s health and the safety of the national food supply. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. we have. And he’s going to work on health and women’s health and all of the different reasons, because we’re not really a wealthy or a healthy country,” Trump said at the rally.
The alliance between Trump and Kennedy Jr. has raised eyebrows, as the two figures hail from traditionally different political backgrounds. Kennedy, a long-time Democrat and environmental advocate, has expressed concerns about vaccine safety, industrial pollution, and now water fluoridation. Although Kennedy initially ran as a Democrat in the 2024 presidential race, he later launched an independent campaign. Now, as Trump’s ally, he has broadened his focus to include health and wellness issues that align with Trump’s platform of regulatory reform.
The decision to advocate for fluoride removal taps into a longstanding debate. Fluoridation of drinking water began in the 1940s as a public health measure to combat tooth decay, and it is currently supported by numerous health organizations, including the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
These organizations argue that fluoride helps reduce cavities and improves overall dental health. However, Kennedy and other fluoride critics argue that the health risks outweigh the benefits, especially in light of new studies that question fluoride’s safety at certain levels.
Studies have shown mixed results on the impact of fluoride on health. While many public health experts maintain that fluoride is safe and beneficial at the levels found in U.S. drinking water, others argue that excessive fluoride exposure can lead to health problems. Some research suggests that high fluoride levels may contribute to skeletal fluorosis, a bone disease caused by excessive fluoride consumption, and can affect cognitive development in children. However, these findings are often context-dependent, with risks generally associated with regions where fluoride levels are naturally much higher than in treated public water systems.
Kennedy has been vocal about these risks, citing studies that link fluoride to IQ reduction and thyroid issues. His stance reflects a broader “precautionary principle” approach that questions the safety of various substances commonly used in everyday life, including certain pesticides, food additives, and fluoride. Critics of Kennedy’s position, however, argue that removing fluoride could lead to a rise in tooth decay, especially among children in low-income communities who may have less access to dental care.
If enacted, the proposed guidance would represent a significant shift in U.S. public health policy and could lead to a divisive public debate. Proponents of fluoride removal argue that individuals should have a choice over their exposure to fluoride, especially if there are doubts about its safety. On the other hand, public health advocates worry that ending water fluoridation could result in higher rates of dental issues across the country.
The collaboration between Trump and Kennedy on health issues may resonate with voters who prioritize individual choice and regulatory reform. For Kennedy, this represents a chance to influence national policy on health matters that he has championed for years. For Trump, the partnership with Kennedy could appeal to voters who are wary of government mandates, especially those concerning public health and wellness.
In his Nevada rally speech, Trump outlined Kennedy’s potential role further, emphasizing a shared concern over chemical additives in food and environmental pollutants. “I told Bobby, ‘I want you to take care of health, I want you to look at the food and the food supply and what we put on the food and all sorts of — you can look at, but let me handle the oil and gas, Bobby,’” Trump said, underscoring his confidence in Kennedy’s expertise in health-related issues.
The Trump-Kennedy alliance reflects a growing movement that questions traditional health recommendations, particularly those that involve government intervention. Should Trump’s plan to advise fluoride removal proceed, it could open doors to further debates on other longstanding public health practices and regulations. With this initiative, Trump and Kennedy are signaling a potential shift toward more individualized public health measures and greater skepticism of established medical practices.
The proposal to remove fluoride from tap water, if implemented, could set a precedent for re-evaluating other widely accepted health practices, underscoring a shared commitment by Trump and Kennedy to “Make America Healthy Again.”
