Jay Bhattacharya, prominent physician and economist, nominated by Trump for NIH director
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Trump Taps Jay Bhattacharya to Lead National Institutes of Health
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Above: Jay Bhattacharya speaks during the 2023 Forbes Healthcare Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Dec. 5, 2023, in New York City. Image copyright: Taylor Hill/Contibutor/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
The Facts
US Pres.-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, 56, a Stanford University physician and economist, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The NIH — which has a $48B budget — oversees 27 institutes and centers focused on medical research and funding studies on vaccines, cancer, and other diseases nationwide.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Following his appointment of RFK Jr., Trump's nomination of Dr. Bhattacharya will strengthen his health team exponentially. Unlike Fauci, who silenced experts, including Bhattacharya himself, Dr. Bhattacharya values real science and diverse voices. He'll ensure Americans are healthier by prioritizing evidence-based decisions and avoiding draconian mandates without proof.
Democratic narrative
Trump's health cabinet picks, including Dr. Bhattacharya, signal a dangerous shift in public health policy. He promoted herd immunity by allowing COVID to spread unchecked, risking lives. Alongside vaccine skeptics like RFK Jr., this team undermines trust in science, prioritizes fringe views and could leave the US unprepared for future health crises.
