Trump Defends “Non-Controversial” Vaccines as Florida Moves to End School Mandates';

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump voiced strong support this week for widely accepted vaccines, distancing himself from Florida’s recent push to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including those for schoolchildren. Speaking to reporters on September 5, Trump offered one of his clearest endorsements of vaccines yet, stressing the importance of immunizations that have stood the test of time. The remarks came in response to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ controversial new policy that would roll back vaccine requirements statewide. “I think we have to be very careful,” Trump said. “Look, you have some vaccines that are so amazing. The polio vaccine, for example — it’s amazing. A lot of people also say the COVID vaccine is amazing.” The former president emphasized that vaccines which have proven to be effective and lack public controversy should be used to protect lives. “Look, you have vaccines that work. They just pure and simple work. They're not controversial at all,” Trump added. “And I think those vaccines should be used. Otherwise, some people are going to catch [diseases] and endanger other people.” Trump’s comments mark a notable shift amid growing political and public debate around vaccine policies, especially as several Republican-led states revisit long-standing immunization mandates. The controversy comes at a time when Trump’s own Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is under heavy scrutiny for his vaccine skepticism. Kennedy, a longtime critic of mandatory vaccinations, has faced backlash after implementing sweeping changes within the CDC and other health agencies. Kennedy recently fired all 17 members of the federal vaccine advisory committee, replacing them with individuals aligned with his views. His actions have drawn criticism from public health experts and lawmakers alike. On September 4, Kennedy was grilled during a heated Senate Finance Committee hearing, where he downplayed the official COVID-19 death toll and refused to credit vaccines with saving lives during the pandemic. "I don't know how many died," Kennedy stated. "I don't think anybody knows because there was so much data chaos coming out of the CDC." Tensions within the administration reached a boiling point on August 27 when Trump fired CDC Director Susan Monarez following her public disagreement with Kennedy over vaccine policy. While Trump has largely stood by Kennedy amid mounting criticism, his latest remarks appear to signal a growing divide between the former president and his health chief over the role of vaccines in public policy. With the FDA now recommending COVID-19 booster shots only for those over 65 or with underlying conditions, and states like Florida taking bold steps to eliminate mandates, the national conversation on vaccines is once again heating up — with Trump taking a more moderate, science-affirming stance. As the 2024 election looms, Trump’s nuanced approach could help him appeal to a broader base of voters who support vaccines but oppose government overreach.

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