Trump calls Florida's move to eliminate vaccine mandates a 'tough stance': 'You have vaccines that work'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis moves to eliminate all vaccine mandates for students as Trump calls some vaccines 'amazing'

September 6, 2025

 

"President Donald Trump said on Friday that Florida officials are taking a "tough stance" by moving to eliminate all vaccine mandates for students, as he stated that some "vaccines should be used."

 

"I think we have to be very careful. You have some vaccines that are so amazing. The polio vaccine, I happen to think, is amazing," Trump told reporters, adding that he believes the COVID-19 vaccine developed during his first term is also "amazing."

 

He continued: "You have some vaccines that are so incredible, and I think you have to be very careful when you say that some people don't have to be vaccinated. It's a very tough position … it's a tough stance."  The president added that there are "vaccines that work, they just pure and simple work."

 

"They're not controversial at all," Trump said. "And I think those vaccines should be used, otherwise some people are going to catch it and they endanger other people. And when you don't have controversy at all, I think people should take them."

 

(more)

 

Fox News

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-calls-floridas-move-eliminate-vaccine-mandates-tough-stance-you-have-vaccines-work

 

CAVEAT - This being the same guy who just fired his own CDC director after less than a month on the job, because she wouldn't rubber stamp/endorse anti-vaccine efforts being pursued by Trump's own anti-vax HHS Secretary (and leading anti-vax crusader and misinfo peddler) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

 

And, of course, after Trump's original nominee for CDC director in his second term, former Republican congressman Dave Weldon, had his nomination withdrawn by the White House when it became apparent that even the Republican majority U.S. Senate wasn't going to confirm Weldon because of his espousal of dubious (not scientifically supported) anti-vax views.

 

These are the actions Trump has been taking -- picking Kennedy to head HHS, nominating Weldon to head CDC, and then firing Susan Monarez, his 2nd CDC director nominee -- to support the anti-vax agenda.

 

White House withdraws controversial pick to run the CDC

March 13, 2025

 

...

"The White House withdrew its nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon, a former Florida congressman, shortly before his scheduled appearance before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday.

 

A White House official not authorized to speak publicly told NPR that Weldon didn't have the votes needed for confirmation by the Senate.

...

In the months since, Weldon's record on vaccines has been scrutinized, including debunked claims about vaccine safety.

 

(more)

 

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/13/nx-s1-5323926/cdc-weldon-withdrawn-vaccine