White House withdraws nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to lead CDC
CNNMAR 12
White House Pulls CDC Nominee
Above: In this photo illustration, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. Image copyright: Thomas Fuller/Contributor/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Dave Weldon’s nomination as CDC director was a grave misstep. His decades-long crusade against vaccines, rooted in debunked theories like the MMR-autism link, undermines public health. Promoting disgraced figures like Andrew Wakefield and ignoring science, he’s unfit to lead amid the ongoing measles outbreaks. His withdrawal spares the Trump administration a liability, offering relief to those who value evidence-based policy over conspiracy.
Establishment-critical narrative
Weldon, despite his imperfect vaccine record, would have been an excellent CDC director. His 2002 congressional critique of the CDC's refusal to share vaccine safety data highlights the corruption Americans still face today. His nomination withdrawal, just hours before his Senate hearing, strongly suggests Big Pharma's deep influence over Congress and that health authorities prioritize profit-driven agendas over open and honest scientific dialogue, stifling reform.