Donald Trump’s pick to lead the National Institutes of Health, Stanford health economist Jay Bhattacharya, has drifted deeper and deeper into anti-vaccine circles. In a documentary from a company affiliated with the conspiracy-fueled Epoch Times, promoted a conspiracy theory about ivermectin having been suppressed to ensure the approval of the COVID-19 vaccines. Ivermectin is not effective against the disease.

Donald Trump’s pick for Surgeon General, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, has shifted from mainstream medical guidance to promoting hydroxychloroquine, vaccine hesitancy, and anti-masking narratives. Once a COVID vaccine advocate, she later opposed vaccinating children, questioned the efficacy of masking, and launched a supplement brand. Medical experts warn her inconsistent stance on evidence-based medicine raises ethical concerns. Her nomination surprised even Robert Kennedy Jr., whose allies reportedly sought to “re-educate” her on vaccines.

Important Context did a deep dive into Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, television personality and former GOP Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz. Specifically, we looked at his promotion of hydroxychloroquine, an unproven COVID-19 treatment that was rapidly embraced by the political right and Donald Trump.

Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon and prominent COVID-19 contrarian, to lead the FDA. Makary, who has cast doubt on COVID vaccines and promoted "natural immunity," has ties to right-wing dark money groups and has repeatedly attacked public health agencies. He has falsely claimed healthy children haven’t died from COVID, opposed vaccine mandates, and echoed anti-vaccine talking points. Critics, including public health experts, warn that his appointment threatens vaccine regulation and public trust in the FDA.

Donald Trump’s pick of anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary was heralded by COVID-19 contrarians and anti-vaxxers. Important Context documented some of the responses to the announcement from the fringes.

Donald Trump has named Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford health economist and proponent of "natural immunity" over COVID-19 mitigation, as his pick to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya, co-author of the discredited Great Barrington Declaration, has long opposed lockdowns, vaccines for younger populations, and pandemic safety measures.