TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Governor Ron DeSantis hopes to “burn [the National Institutes of Health] to the ground” if he becomes President of the United States of America in 2024, according to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
On Tuesday, RFK Jr. told celebrity actor-turned-podcaster Russell Brand about a conversation he allegedly had with the governor.
“We talked about him possibly running for the presidency, and I said, how will you handle the NIH?” RFK Jr. claimed. “And he said: ‘I'll burn it to the ground.’ You know, I understand the impulse. But I think I can have a more surgical impact on these agencies.”
This is very strong. It’s also great that DeSantis talks with Kennedy. https://t.co/Lw6ncVX4Nz
— Pedro L. Gonzalez (@emeriticus) May 12, 2023
DeSantis’ opposition to longstanding lockdowns, mask mandates and forced vaccinations in response to COVID-19 received international media attention. He has repeatedly criticized the federal government’s guidance on COVID.
Earlier this year, DeSantis hinted that sweeping changes could be in order if he makes it to the White House in 2024.
“If you look at like all these entrenched bureaucrats, CDC, NIH, FDA – they need to be cleaned out because they totally failed and they are not advocating for the best interests of the people of this country,” the governor told Fox News’ Mark Levin in February.
DeSantis has not yet announced his intention to run for president, but is expected to do so in the near future.
