Trump’s Appointment of Jay Bhattacharya as NIH Director Sparks Outrage Over Pandemic Stance
(Reuters)
President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sparked widespread criticism on social media. The Stanford professor, known for his controversial views on pandemic policies, was once dismissed by the NIH for what its then-director called “fringe” ideas.
Trump announced the decision Tuesday night, highlighting Bhattacharya’s credentials and partnership with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Bhattacharya will work in cooperation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to direct the Nation’s Medical Research, and to make important discoveries that will improve Health, and save lives,” Trump said in a statement.
Bhattacharya, who holds an M.D. and Ph.D. in economics, gained prominence during the pandemic as a co-author of the “Great Barrington Declaration.” The declaration, proposed in October 2020, argued against lockdowns and recommended focused protection of vulnerable populations, a stance that drew sharp criticism from public health experts.
Praising the declaration, Trump wrote, “Together, Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH to a Gold Standard of Medical Research as they examine the underlying causes of, and solutions to, America’s biggest health challenges, including our Crisis of Chronic Illness and Disease. Together, they will work hard to Make America Healthy Again!”
Critics, however, quickly voiced concerns. Washington Post reporter Dan Diamond called the appointment “a remarkable turn,” noting Bhattacharya’s past as “a public health pariah” dismissed by the NIH for his controversial views. Pharmacologist Lex Maria highlighted the toll of the pandemic, writing, “This guy co-authored the ‘Great Barrington Declaration’ in Oct 2020. To put this into perspective, 1.2 million Americans died of Covid.
Trump makes it official: JAY BHATTACHARYA, a co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, is his pick to lead the National Institutes of Health. A remarkable turn after Bhattacharya became a public health pariah four years ago, dismissed by the then-NIH director for his "fringe" views.
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond.bsky.social) November 27, 2024 at 7:18 AM
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Bhattacharya, Makary, Oz, Nesheiwat, and RFK Jr will not make Americans healthier. All of them are unqualified and dangerous for our country.” Walker Bragman, journalist, and co-founder of the OptOut Media Foundation, criticized Bhattacharya for promoting a “failed herd immunity strategy reliant on mass infection” and for casting doubt on vaccines for younger populations.
Bhattacharya is one of the architects of a failed herd immunity strategy reliant on mass infection, arguing against infection controls, including vaccines. Although not explicitly anti-vax, Bhattacharya has cast doubt on the necessity/safety of vaccinating young folks + made allies of anti-vaxxers.
— Walker Bragman (@walkerbragman.bsky.social) November 27, 2024 at 7:01 AM
Gavin Yamey, a professor of Global Health at Duke University, added, “When Jay Bhattacharya gave his full-throated political support to RFK Jr, one of the world’s most extreme anti-vax activists… the writing was very clearly on the anti-vax wall.” The controversy underscores growing polarization in public health, as critics warn Bhattacharya’s leadership could undermine scientific consensus at the NIH and harm efforts to address major health crises.
When Jay Bhattacharya gave his full throated political support to RFK Jr, one of the world’s most extreme anti-vaxx activists, including speaking at an RFK Jr rally, the writing was very clearly on the anti-vaxx wall. No surprise at all that RFK Jr rewards him with a MAGA nomination!
— Prof Gavin Yamey (@gavinyamey.bsky.social) November 27, 2024 at 7:24 AM
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