Most Americans disapprove of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s potential to lead the Department of Health and Human Services after hearing about his positions and beliefs, according to a new report. investigation It comes from the Democratic advocacy group Protect Our Care and Data for Progress and was first shared with The Hill.
Voters were first asked whether they supported President Trump's nomination of RFK Jr. to lead HHS, and 45% said they did.
However, after respondents were informed of RFK Jr.'s past statements, support for his nomination dropped to 39 percent, ranging from +3 points in approval to -13 points in disapproval.
The disapproval rate among independents rose from 38% to 52%, and the disapproval rate among Republicans rose from 16% to 27%.
Voters were most concerned about President Kennedy's opposition to drug development and disease research, followed by his opposition to vaccinations, the poll found.
Mr. Kennedy has name recognition, and polls show that people are mostly aware of his nomination. Thirty-eight percent said they had read or heard “a lot” about the nomination, and 49% said they had heard or read “a little.”
Kennedy made a name for himself as an environmental lawyer, but in recent decades he has devoted his time to fighting vaccine skepticism and public health scientists and doctors. He originally ran for president last year as a Democrat, but became an independent. He eventually left and supported Trump.
Data for Progress surveyed 1,473 likely voters across the country using web panel respondents. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.
