Did RFK Jr. Really Say That?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is getting a lot of attention lately because of the role he is likely to play within the Trump administration overseeing public health policy. But apparently he contains multitudes, as a “10-point plan to fix the plastics crisis” that he posted on X makes plain.

The manifesto was posted in September of last year, so it’s entirely possible that he may have changed his position (even if his values haven’t changed). In fact, I would be surprised if he still espouses these views, given that he will be reporting in one capacity or another to President Trump, who will not look favorably on at least two, but probably more, items in this action plan. You be the judge. You can see all 10 points posted on X here, but I have also listed them below in case, you know, someone in the site's C suite decides it would be best delete them given present circumstances.

RFJ Jr.’s 10-point plan to fix the plastics crisis:

1. I will support an ambitious international plastics treaty.

2. I will act to restrict hazardous plastics and chemicals.

3. I will promote a national bottle bill.

4. I will nationally coordinate an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for packaging.

5. I will move to modernize recycling facilities.

6. I will strengthen closed-loop recycling systems.

7. I will ban fracking, which provides the feedstock for most of the plastics produced in the US.

8. I will limit construction and expansion of plastic production facilities.

9. I will end subsidies for plastics producers.

10. I will order a major national study to evaluate all sources of plastic waste.

Immediately, two items jump out at me that are sure to displease the president-elect. The first is a ban on fracking, which really can’t be squared with Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” mantra.

As for supporting an international treaty on plastic waste, I think it’s fair to say that Trump is no fan of multinational treaties, with some rare exceptions, and the UN-led negotiations at the end of this month to carve out a legally binding global agreement to reduce plastic pollution will be an early litmus test.

I can’t imagine Trump agreeing to a reduction in plastics production to achieve that goal, which is the current position of the United States under the Biden administration. On the same note, item number 8 limiting construction and expansion of plastics production runs contrary to a Trumpian build, baby, build world view.

As you can imagine, the comments to RFK Jr.’s post are wildly diverse.

Joe McWopSki succinctly states, “There is no crisis,” echoed with a slight caveat by CantSilenceBusbee: “There is no 'plastics pollution crisis' in the developed world.”

I like 2studly4u’s sarcasm (despite the cringey handle): “It’s like, gee I know a lot of people are hurting right now. If only I could make it a hell of a lot worse? I know! I’ll drive up the cost of nearly every product including especially food, and simultaneously drive up energy costs, too! And government overreach as a bonus!”

And, of course, no public forum debate on the role of plastics would be complete without that guy, represented here by Lamont McPheron, who advocates for making plastic out of hemp.

I love that guy!