The Donald Trump government appointed Indian-origin Vinay Prasad as its top vaccine regulator earlier this year — sparking outrage across the political spectrum. The controversial haematologist and oncologist has been a longtime critic of the FDA and previously made waves for spreading ‘misinformation’ about COVID-19 vaccines. He now holds three key roles under the US Food and Drug Administration and plays a pivotal role in shaping vaccine approval policies. MAGA supporters such as far-right political activist Laura Loomer have however dubbed his appointment “baffling” and a “betrayal of the voters who elected Trump”.
Who is Vinay Prasad?
Long-time vaccine chief Peter Marks had resigned in March after clashing with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over the safety of vaccinations. Prasad — who had previously likened Marks to “a bobblehead doll that just stamps approval” — took over the role a few weeks later. Many of his views mirror those of other Trump appointees including FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya.
Despite his seeming alignment with the current administration on several points, the hematologist-oncologist has incurred outrage with many MAGA supporters calling for his ouster.
“Prasad’s policy positions are a direct affront to the conservative principles underpinning Trump’s agenda. He advocates for universal basic income, student loan forgiveness, open borders, and Roe v. Wade abortion standards. He supports a 50% marginal tax rate for high earners, a wealth tax, single-payer healthcare, universally funded pre-K and community college, and expansive parental leave policies,” Loomer wrote on her website.
‘Act swiftly to remove him’
She also urged the Trump administration to ‘act swiftly’ and remove Prasad from his roles before he could “inflict further damage” to the Make America Healthy Again agenda. Loomer insisted that his presence within the FDA was a “betrayal of the voters who elected Trump to dismantle bureaucratic overreach and prioritize American health” — citing evidence of his prior support for Democratic leaders and beliefs. The well-known conspiracy theorist also dubbed the doctor a “trojan horse” who could “completely destroy” the work of the current administration.
The lengthy post included a large assortment of social media screenshots to underscore her point — including posts backing Joe Biden and assertions that he was a “political liberal” closest to Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Loomer also noted that Prasad had previously dubbed Trump “perhaps the worst president in the history of the Republic” and suggested that the two disagreed “on probably 90% of issues”.
(With inputs from agencies)