The White House is reportedly walking back its decision to nominate Dr. Dave Weldon as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The move is said to be linked to concerns over his controversial stance on vaccines, which could have hindered his confirmation in the Senate.
Who is Dr. Dave Weldon?
Dr. Weldon, a former congressman from Florida, was selected by President Donald Trump to lead the CDC, with his confirmation hearing initially scheduled for Thursday before the Senate Health Committee.
A practicing internal medicine doctor, Weldon previously served in Congress from 1995 to 2009, where he became known for advocating a connection between vaccines and autism—a claim widely discredited by scientific research.
Vaccine Views Raise Concerns
Sources familiar with the situation told Axios that the Trump administration had second thoughts about Weldon’s nomination due to his longstanding skepticism about vaccines.
Another insider suggested the decision to withdraw his nomination was made after realizing he lacked the necessary support in the Senate.
If confirmed, Weldon would have overseen the CDC’s vaccine policies, research, and public health strategies, including responses to disease outbreaks.
Given his history of questioning vaccine safety, his appointment raised alarms among health professionals and lawmakers alike.
History of Anti-Vaccine Advocacy
Throughout his political career, Weldon pushed for policies questioning vaccine safety.
In 2007, he stated that legitimate concerns remained about the link between thimerosal—a mercury-based preservative previously used in some vaccines—and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism.
He also sponsored legislation aiming to ban mercury from vaccines, despite the fact that thimerosal had already been removed from all routine childhood vaccines in the U.S. by 2001.
Additionally, Weldon advocated for research into vaccine safety led by Andrew Wakefield, the disgraced scientist behind a widely debunked 1998 study that falsely linked vaccines to autism.
Wakefield’s study was later retracted, and he lost his medical license due to ethical violations, yet Weldon continued to promote the theory.
A Surprise Pick for CDC Leadership
Weldon’s selection to head the CDC came as a surprise to many, considering his low profile since an unsuccessful Senate run in 2012.
Since leaving politics, he returned to practicing medicine in Florida and took on academic roles, including a position at the Florida Institute of Technology’s biomedical engineering program.
He also serves as the chief medical officer at Luke & Associates, a healthcare staffing agency, and is an attending physician at Health First, a statewide healthcare system in Florida.
Trump’s Justification and Public Backlash
Announcing his pick on Truth Social, Trump defended Weldon’s nomination, arguing that public trust in the CDC had eroded due to censorship, misinformation, and data manipulation.
He insisted that the agency needed new leadership to correct past mistakes and refocus on disease prevention.
However, prominent voices in the health community strongly opposed Weldon’s appointment.
Richard Besser, a former acting CDC director, criticized Weldon’s persistent belief in debunked vaccine theories, stating that leaders in health agencies have a responsibility to uphold science and public trust.
What Happens Next?
With Weldon out of the running, the White House will need to find a new candidate to lead the CDC—someone who can navigate public health challenges while restoring confidence in the agency.
The search for a replacement will be closely watched, especially as vaccine policies and pandemic preparedness remain critical issues in national health discussions.