Trump Defends Polio Vaccine, Addresses Pharmaceutical Costs in News Conference
TL/DR –
President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed his support for the polio vaccine, while not committing to support for other vaccines. He pledged to investigate the rising costs of pharmaceuticals and criticized ‘middlemen’ for exacerbating the issue. He also expressed doubt over whether his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, would be appointed as a Florida senator, and indicated he might intervene in the potential TikTok ban in the US.
Donald Trump pledges to safeguard polio vaccine and hints at doubting other vaccines
President-elect Donald Trump held an extensive press conference in which he assured the preservation of the polio vaccine. Meanwhile, he remained ambivalent about other vaccines, vowed to reduce pharmaceutical costs, and voiced doubt over his daughter-in-law becoming Florida’s next senator.
In his first question-and-answer session with reporters post-election victory, Trump, unlike President Joe Biden, showcased his traditional penchant for lengthy news conferences.
Pharmaceutical middlemen blamed for high drug costs
Trump remarked on the high price of health care and blamed “horrible middlemen” for inflating drug costs, following a recent dinner with his Health Secretary pick, vaccine critic Robert F.Kennedy Jr., heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, and top pharmaceutical executives. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell defended the polio vaccine after a report revealed that one of Kennedy’s advisers filed a petition to revoke its approval in 2022.
Departure from Biden’s style evident in Trump’s appearance
Trump’s press conference marked a clear departure from Biden’s style, displaying Trump’s efficient use of the spotlight even in his president-elect status. Biden has remained relatively silent, maintaining a minimal public schedule. Drone sightings over the Northeast led to an airspace shutdown at an Ohio Air Force base and arrests near a Boston airport recently, but Biden hasn’t addressed this issue.
Trump’s stance on potential TikTok ban
Trump indicated a likelihood of intervening in the prospective TikTok ban in the U.S, crediting the platform for his election success. His administration needs to enforce new federal law against TikTok post his inauguration.
Trump anticipates return to the global stage
Trump, looking to resolve the ongoing wars, is making efforts to return to the international stage. He is striving to negotiate the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and working to settle the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, he declined to confirm if he’s spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin since his electoral victory. Trump’s administration stated that invitations for his January 20 inauguration were sent to Chinese leader Xi Jinping and other world leaders, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wasn’t among them.
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Amanda Seitz in Washington contributed to this report.
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