Following the removal of CDC director Susan Monarez, President Trump appointed Jim O’Neill as the interim director, a move that sparked further controversy. O’Neill, a biotech investor with no medical background but ties to billionaire Peter Thiel, aligns with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s agenda of restricting vaccine access. O’Neill’s history includes advocating for unproven COVID-19 treatments, downplaying vaccine dangers, and promoting libertarian views on healthcare. Critics, like Dr. Robert Steinbrook, have raised concerns about O’Neill’s conflicts of interest due to his financial links to several medical industry startups that could benefit from his position.
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On Wednesday, Susan Monarez, the newly appointed CDC Director, was removed from her position by the Trump administration with no explanation given. According to reports, Monarez’s ousting may be due to her pro-science stance and refusal to support changes to US vaccine policies. Following the announcement, at least three other CDC leaders resigned, citing concerns about the “weaponizing of public health” and the censorship of scientific findings. This occurred shortly after the revoking of the emergency use authorization for Covid-19 vaccines, a move that was praised by the Health Secretary, who has reshaped advisory panels to include vaccine opponents.
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President Trump withdrew the nomination of former Representative Dave Weldon for CDC director due to insufficient Senate support. Weldon’s past controversial statements questioning vaccine safety, including his promotion of disproven links between vaccines and autism, resulted in anticipated opposition from key senators, notably Senators Collins and Cassidy. This lack of support prevented his confirmation from progressing beyond committee. The White House opted to withdraw the nomination to avoid a protracted and potentially damaging controversy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker