In New York, Dr. David Weldon has re-entered national discourse after a long hiatus, having been nominated to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). His nomination by President Donald Trump has drawn significant attention, particularly among anti-vaccine advocates who are familiar with his past efforts. The co-director of Mississippi Parents for Vaccine Rights praised him on social media as being an early proponent of their movement, while the Autism Action Network acknowledged his role in proposing legislation aimed at halting what they termed as the “vaccine pedocide.”
Weldon’s appointment requires the confirmation of the U.S. Senate, and a hearing is scheduled to take place this Thursday. At 71 years old, the retired congressman from Florida is perceived as having strong ties to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. health secretary known for his long-standing anti-vaccine activism. Despite interest in the potential dynamics of this leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services has declined requests for Weldon or Kennedy to be interviewed. President Trump asserted that Weldon would restore the CDC’s original purpose and tackle the chronic disease epidemic under the mantra “Make America Healthy Again.”
The CDC, originally founded nearly 80 years ago to manage malaria in the United States, has grown to tackle a broad spectrum of infectious and chronic diseases, emerging as a key source of health information globally. The Atlanta-based agency currently operates with a core budget surpassing $9 billion. Since Trump assumed office, the CDC has experienced workforce reductions, part of a broader strategy to reduce federal staffing, reportedly influenced by Elon Musk.
Weldon, unlike recent appointees, lacks experience in federal public health, though it’s common for appointees to come from outside the CDC. His background includes serving in the Army and acting as an internal medicine physician before representing a Florida district in Congress from 1995 to 2009. Afterward, he continued his medical practice, engaged in academia, chaired the Israel Allies Foundation, and unsuccessfully pursued other political offices. In a March 1 letter to Health and Human Services, Weldon committed to distancing from his current affiliations and disclosed plans to relinquish his investments in sectors such as energy and pharmaceuticals if confirmed.
Weldon has a history of questioning vaccine safety and the CDC’s role. He was notably involved in Congressional discussions on autism’s causes, influenced by Dr. Andrew Wakefield’s controversial and discredited study suggesting a link between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism. Weldon supported U.S. Rep. Dan Burton’s hearings and co-sponsored proposals to shift vaccine safety oversight to an independent agency, a move not entirely dismissed by public health circles. However, Weldon publicly disputed studies that refuted a link between vaccines and autism, criticizing the CDC for allegedly curtailing relevant research.
His relationship with fringe medical practices also drew attention. Weldon once invited Dr. James “Jeff” Bradstreet, known for unconventional autism treatments, to testify before Congress. Bradstreet later died in a contested incident following a federal raid. Weldon had a featured role in “Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe,” a documentary led by Wakefield, where he reiterated his concerns about the CDC, echoing prior Congressional comments.
As with Kennedy, Weldon has questioned the CDC’s advisory committees, asserting they have conflicts due to pharmaceutical company ties. These panelists routinely disclose any potential conflicts publicly, and the CDC has recently introduced new online tools to enhance transparency.
As the Senate hearing approaches, Weldon’s stance on vaccines and his intentions for the CDC in light of a potentially unsympathetic health secretary will likely be scrutinized by Democrats. Dr. Anne Schuchat, a former acting director with decades of experience at the CDC, noted that directors often come to appreciate the agency’s work. She expressed hope that Weldon could enhance CDC operations through his political experience, though she cautioned about the risks if his intent is to undermine the agency’s mission.
