About this episode
Our latest mini series is here and this time we're profiling some of the key players in Donald Trump's presidency, who are now running America. We’re ending the series with Robert F Kennedy Jr., the new Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has been tasked with making America healthy again - an appointment which came as a surprise to some, given that he’s been accused of supporting the anti-vaccination movement and spreading misinformation. Spurning a democratic dynasty and risking a family rift to embrace Trump’s administration, his aim now is to end the ‘chronic disease epidemic’. But who is he? And will Americans be any healthier with him in charge? Marianna is joined by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times Health Correspondent and Clare Malone, Staff Writer at The New Yorker to find out who RFK Jr. really is and why he was appointed. We also hear from Del Bigtree, who was RFK Jr.’s Communications Director during his brief Presidential run, who tells us he’s an ‘amazing guy’ who loves nature and walking barefoot. HOSTS: Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent GUESTS: - Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times Health Correspondent - Clare Malone, Staff Writer at The New Yorker GET IN TOUCH: • Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB • Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 • Email Americast@bbc.co.uk • Or use #Americast This episode was made by Keiligh Baker and Chris Flynn with Marianna Brain, Catherine Fusillo and Joe McFadden. The technical producer was Phil Bull. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers. US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155 Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below. The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm