In a highly anticipated series of announcements on Friday evening, President-elect Trump revealed his selections for three pivotal health positions within his upcoming administration, aiming to reshape public health policy for the nation.
Among his appointments, Johns Hopkins surgeon Marty Makary has been selected as his candidate for the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, Trump has chosen former Florida Congressman Dave Weldon to take the helm at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a well-known Fox News contributor, poised to become the next surgeon general of the United States.
Each of these appointments was shared by Trump on Truth Social and through official press releases. The combined selections are significant as they signal a potential shift in priorities for agencies that play crucial roles in safeguarding public health across the country, yet they have ignited debates and concerns among health professionals and the public.
Dr. Marty Makary for FDA Commissioner
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Dr. Marty Makary, a surgical oncologist at Johns Hopkins University and a prominent voice in health policy, is set for a notable role as the FDA Commissioner. His selection aligns with his previous collaboration with the Trump administration, particularly around contentious issues such as surprise medical billing and efforts to reform health care practices. Recently, he has also expressed support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump has appointed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly endorsing Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
This year, Makary participated in a Congressional roundtable alongside Kennedy focused on health and nutrition. He delivered strong criticisms towards federal health agencies, asserting they have neglected chronic diseases and addressing misinformation surrounding dietary guidelines: “the greatest perpetrator of misinformation has been the United States government with the food pyramid.”
“We have the most overmedicated, sickest population in the world and no one is talking about root causes,” he stated emphatically. “We have poisoned our food supply,” he added, underlining a serious concern regarding public health and nutrition.
In his announcement, Trump emphasized that Makary would collaborate with Kennedy to “properly evaluate harmful chemicals poisoning our Nation’s food supply and the drugs and biologics given to our Nation’s youth, so that we can finally tackle the Childhood Chronic Disease Epidemic.” Makary, featured regularly as a commentator on Fox News, boasts several authored titles on health care, membership in the National Academy of Medicine, and a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University. His scholarly work covers critical issues surrounding the exorbitant costs of health care, medical errors, and advocating for greater transparency within the medical field.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Makary became a prominent critic of numerous public health strategies, including vaccine mandates and what he perceived as an inadequate acknowledgment of natural immunity, presenting a controversial stance in a highly polarized environment.
Dr. Dave Weldon for CDC Director
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Donald Trump has appointed Dr. Dave Weldon as his choice for Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon, a physician, former Congressman from Florida, and Army veteran, served in the House of Representatives from 1995 to 2009. Trump explicitly pointed out that “Americans have lost trust in the CDC and in our Federal Health Authorities, who have engaged in censorship, data manipulation, and misinformation.” He emphasized the urgent need for the CDC to “step up and correct past errors to focus on the Prevention of Disease” amidst an ongoing chronic health crisis in the country.
Weldon’s nomination marks a historic moment as he is the first candidate for CDC director who will require Senate confirmation due to a law enacted in 2022 that mandates such vetting for this position. “He’s a well-trained internist. He’s practiced medicine,” claimed Dr. Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association, while acknowledging Weldon’s untraditional background in public health. “We’ll learn more when he goes through Senate confirmation.”
During his time in Congress, Weldon notably collaborated with the CDC to prohibit patents for human embryos. Additionally, he championed legislation that provided protections for healthcare workers and organizations against providing or assisting with abortions, known as the Weldon Amendment, which has been a staple of annual HHS spending legislation since 2005. Trump asserted that Weldon will “proudly restore the CDC to its true purpose,” focusing on ending the ongoing Chronic Disease Epidemic and emphasizing “Transparency, Competence, and High Standards.”
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for Surgeon General
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In a continued trend of choosing Cabinet members with media experience, Trump has appointed Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as the new Surgeon General. A medical contributor for Fox News, she is also the author of Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine, a personal memoir detailing her medical experiences during the pandemic and thereafter. Currently, Nesheiwat serves as the medical director at CityMD, a prominent network of urgent care centers located in New York and New Jersey, where she has also capitalized on her expertise by marketing her own vitamin supplement line.
Trump commended Nesheiwat’s dedication and her frontline work during the COVID-19 crisis in New York City as well as her contributions during natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and the devastating Joplin tornadoes.
Throughout her appearances on Fox News, Nesheiwat has actively promoted the importance of vaccinations against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, emphasizing the role they play in public health. Trump highlighted that “she is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to affordable, quality health care, and believes in empowering individuals to take charge of their health to live longer, healthier lives,” framing her philosophy as a cornerstone of her approach to health advocacy as surgeon general.
What are Dr. Marty Makary’s main goals as the FDA Commissioner regarding public health and nutrition?
**Interview with Dr. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner Nominee**
**Host:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Makary. Your recent appointment as the FDA Commissioner under President-elect Trump has garnered a lot of attention. Can you share with us what your top priorities will be upon taking office?
**Dr. Makary:** Thank you for having me. My primary focus will be on protecting public health by critically evaluating the chemicals in our food supply and ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs and biologics, particularly for children. It’s imperative that we tackle the Childhood Chronic Disease Epidemic and prioritize nutrition and preventive care.
**Host:** You’ve been quite outspoken about federal health agencies and their approach to misinformation. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Makary:** Absolutely. The greatest misinformation has often come from our own government. For instance, the traditional food pyramid has misled many Americans about their dietary choices. We need to address chronic diseases from their root causes—many of which stem from our food supply and current dietary guidelines.
**Host:** There seems to be strong polarization surrounding health policies lately. How do you plan to navigate that as the FDA Commissioner?
**Dr. Makary:** It’s crucial to approach public health policy with transparency and open communication, especially in this polarized climate. I’ll advocate for robust discussions around health practices and promote evidence-based policies to rebuild trust with the American public.
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**Interview with Dr. Dave Weldon, CDC Director Nominee**
**Host:** Dr. Weldon, thank you for joining us today. President-elect Trump has selected you as the new CDC Director, which marks a significant change at the agency. What do you see as your main mission?
**Dr. Weldon:** Thank you for having me. I believe our mission must be to restore trust in the CDC and its role in public health. We need to focus on prevention and correct past missteps, especially concerning data accuracy and transparency in communicating health information to the public.
**Host:** You mentioned trust and transparency. Can you explain your stance on the previous management of the CDC?
**Dr. Weldon:** There’s no doubt that trust has been eroded. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues and the Senate to ensure that the CDC functions effectively and prioritizes public health without the influence of politics or misinformation.
**Host:** During your time in Congress, you took hard stances on various health-related issues. How will those experiences shape your leadership style at the CDC?
**Dr. Weldon:** My background has taught me the importance of collaboration and understanding diverse perspectives in health policy. I aim to implement evidence-based strategies while ensuring that we safeguard public health without compromising ethical standards. I believe a unified approach is vital for effective disease prevention and health promotion.
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**Join us next time as we continue to cover the latest developments in public health and meet more key figures stepping into important roles in the new administration.**