Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio addressed public health and environmental issues during a campaign rally on Tuesday in Detroit, Michigan, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. remains on the ballot as a third-party presidential candidate. Kennedy, an ally of former President Donald Trump, poses a potential spoiler in this key battleground state.
During his speech, Vance emphasized the necessity of clean air and water, pointing out that Americans appear to rely more on antidepressants compared to individuals in other countries. He also highlighted the rising rates of obesity and noted the emergence of “unusual childhood diseases” that were less common in previous generations.
“Does that suggest that we’re putting too much weird stuff in our water? Or too much weird stuff in our food supply?” Vance questioned the audience, subsequently praising Kennedy for introducing the slogan “Make America Healthy Again” to the Trump campaign.
Taylor Van Kirk, a spokesperson for Vance, stated that the senator is particularly concerned about the effects of processed foods on Americans, including escalating rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, as well as the implications of microplastics and other contaminants in drinking water.
Kennedy has consistently raised similar health concerns during his presidential campaign, advocating for increased federal efforts to address chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. He has frequently criticized the pharmaceutical industry and federal regulatory agencies while expressing worries about chemicals in the food supply.
While Kennedy’s messages have sometimes strayed into conspiracy theories, particularly regarding discredited claims linking childhood vaccinations to chronic diseases and autism, he has positioned himself as an ally of the Trump campaign. Kennedy claims that a second Trump administration would aim to eradicate pesticides and hazardous chemicals from the nation’s food and water systems. However, Trump’s first term saw the rollback of more than 100 environmental regulations, including bans on toxic substances linked to significant health risks.
Vance has sought to emphasize Trump’s commitment to environmental protection. In a recent rally in northern Michigan, he asserted, “Of course we believe in protecting our environment,” alongside a commitment to clean air and water. This stance seems to contrast with Trump’s own rhetoric on the campaign trail, where he referred to environmental concerns as “one of the great scams of all time” during a speech in Erie, Pennsylvania, just days later.
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