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President Donald Trump came to the defense of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Sunday, saying the embattled official has “a lot of good ideas” despite heavy criticism from both parties.
Speaking to Breitbart News during a press gaggle on the South Lawn of the White House before leaving for the U.S. Open final, Trump dismissed attacks on Kennedy from former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and others.
“Well, he’s a different kind of a guy,” Trump said. “He’s got a lot of good ideas, but he’s got a lot of ideas. You know, normally, they don’t have any ideas, and that’s why we have problems with autism and so many other things, because we’re coming up with the answers for autism. You watch.”
Trump added, “We’re coming up with the answers for other things that normal people, regular people, easy to get along with people, wouldn’t be able to do. He’s got a lot of ideas, and so do I, and we’re going to clean it up.”
Kennedy last month rescinded the emergency use authorizations for coronavirus vaccines but allowed them to remain available to those who want them after consulting with their physicians. He has also demanded that drug companies conduct placebo-controlled trials. Trump also recently pressed pharmaceutical firms to provide greater transparency about the effectiveness of coronavirus treatments.
Kennedy testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, where he sparred with Democratic senators. In one exchange, he criticized Warren for her ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
“I never promised that I was going to recommend products for which there is no indication, and I know you’ve taken $855,000 from pharmaceutical companies, senator,” Kennedy told Warren, while insisting he was not taking vaccines away from the public.
Trump defended Kennedy following the testimony, noting, “But it’s not your standard talk, I would say. And that has to do with medical and vaccines. But if you look at what’s going on in the world with health, and look at this country also with regard to health, I like the fact that he’s different.”