Back to the People with Nicole Shanahan No Shot: The Trump Nominee Pharma Feared, feat. Dr. Dave Weldon
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Apr 2, 2025 Dr. Dave Weldon, a physician and former Congressman, dives into the complexities of vaccine safety and public trust in health agencies. He shares his emotional journey following his withdrawn nomination for CDC Director, revealing political pressures and the fallout from controversial vaccine research. The conversation also touches on the alarming impacts of artificial light on well-being and the urgent need for reform in vaccine legislation. Weldon advocates for transparency and collaboration to restore confidence in public health initiatives.
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Nomination Withdrawal
- Dr. Weldon describes the abrupt withdrawal of his CDC director nomination.
- He felt "punched in the head" after extensive preparation, blaming Senator Cassidy's opposition to his vaccine safety research focus.
Relationship with Senator Cassidy
- Dr. Weldon discusses his prior friendship with Senator Bill Cassidy, including attending a Christian couples' retreat together.
- Their relationship became strained due to policy disagreements, particularly regarding Dr. Weldon's stance on vaccine safety.
Wakefield's MMR Research
- Dr. Weldon recounts the story of Dr. Andrew Wakefield and the controversy surrounding his MMR research.
- He highlights the co-author, Dr. O'Leary, retracting findings under pressure and the unfair treatment of Wakefield.