Trump’s Got a New FDA Chief and NIH Director. They’ve Been Getting Public Health Wrong For Years.
Donald Trump’s new public health officials have long histories of making false and misleading statements related to science.
Important Context
Latest reporting
“The Great Birdington Declaration”: The Origins of Kennedy’s Avian Flu Herd Immunity Plan Explained
The idea of letting a dangerous pathogen rip for herd immunity emerged out of right-wing efforts to reopen the economy at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chris Rufo’s Big Right-Wing Score
The right-wing operative landed a huge prize from a major right-wing funder.
Ivermectin Doctors Launch New Medical Journal
It is the latest dark money-fueled publication stacked with fringe doctors with ties to the Trump administration.
“So much for MAHA”: Anti-Vaxxers Fume Over Kennedy Op-Ed Touting Measles Vaccine
The anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist acknowledged that the MMR vaccine saves lives in an op-ed His supporters are not happy.
Trump Pick for NIH Director: Vaccines May Cause Autism, Alternative Schedules Okay
Jay Bhattacharya made the remarks on a podcast in September, weeks before being nominated to lead the NIH.
Oversight?: Trump NIH Pick Fails to Include Big Award From Major Right-Wing Group On Financial Disclosure
Jay Bhattacharya won the $250,000 Bradley Prize in 2024 but did not include it in his government filing.
Trump’s Withdrawal of Proposed PFAS Regulation Evidences Project 2025 Influence
Using similar language to Project 2025, Trump’s Day-One regulatory freeze rolls back regulation to PFAS discharge.
Trump White House Cites Fringe Doctor to Defend Research Cuts
UCSF professor Vinay Prasad emerges as rationalizer-in-chief for Trump’s NIH cuts
“A New Academic Publishing Model”: Right-Wing Dark Money Group Launches Fringe Medical Journal
The right-wing RealClear Foundation’s foray into public health has been called “a mockery of scientific process.”
About that Vaccine Study RFK Cited At His Confirmation Hearing
Kennedy used a study from his allies to defend his discredited claims about vaccines and autism.
A Canadian Province Released a COVID Report Full of Pseudoscience. Who Wrote It, and Why?
Donald Trump’s NIH pick was among the authors of a report that recommended discontinuing the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines.