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New England Journal of Medicine swept up in US attorney inquiry into alleged bias - The Boston Globe

Trump's Latest Feud: Taking on the New England Journal of Medicine

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the medical and publishing worlds, former President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), one of the most respected medical publications in the world. The feud, which erupted earlier this week, stems from an editorial published in the journal criticizing Trump's proposed healthcare reforms, particularly his plans to overhaul federal funding for medical research and drug pricing. What began as a pointed critique in the pages of a scholarly journal has quickly escalated into a full-blown public spectacle, with implications for the business of healthcare, academic publishing, and even the stock market.

The controversy ignited on April 22, when NEJM released an online-first editorial titled "The Perils of Politicizing Public Health: Lessons from the Trump Era." Authored by a panel of prominent physicians and health policy experts, the piece argued that Trump's policies, if reinstated in a potential second term, could undermine scientific integrity, exacerbate healthcare disparities, and stifle innovation in biotechnology. The editorial specifically called out Trump's past handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, his skepticism toward vaccines, and his recent campaign promises to slash regulations on pharmaceutical companies. "The intersection of politics and medicine has never been more fraught," the authors wrote, "and the risks to public health are too great to ignore."

Trump, never one to shy away from a fight, responded swiftly via his Truth Social platform. In a series of posts that garnered millions of views, he labeled the NEJM "fake news doctors" and accused the journal of being a "tool of the radical left" funded by "Big Pharma elites who hate America." He went further, claiming that the publication was part of a conspiracy to sabotage his 2024 election bid—despite the fact that the election has already passed, with Trump securing a narrow victory in November 2024. "These so-called experts are losers who couldn't cure a cold," Trump posted. "We're going to defund them and make medicine great again!"

The backlash was immediate and multifaceted. Within hours, conservative media outlets amplified Trump's message, urging supporters to boycott the NEJM and its parent organization, the Massachusetts Medical Society. Hashtags like #BoycottNEJM and #TrumpVsFakeDocs trended on social media, leading to a surge in subscription cancellations. According to industry analysts, the journal, which relies heavily on institutional subscriptions from universities, hospitals, and research institutions, could face a revenue dip of up to 15% if the boycott sustains. This isn't just a hit to prestige; it's a direct blow to the business model of academic publishing, where journals like NEJM generate millions annually through subscriptions, reprints, and advertising from pharmaceutical giants.

From a business perspective, the feud highlights the precarious intersection of politics, healthcare, and commerce. The NEJM isn't just a repository of medical knowledge; it's a key player in the $1.5 trillion U.S. healthcare industry. Its endorsements or criticisms can sway investor confidence in biotech firms, influence FDA approvals, and even affect stock prices. Following Trump's posts, shares in several pharmaceutical companies mentioned favorably in his past speeches—such as those involved in generic drug manufacturing—saw a modest uptick, while stocks in research-heavy firms aligned with NEJM's progressive stances dipped slightly. For instance, Moderna, which has been a frequent target of Trump's vaccine skepticism, experienced a 3% drop in after-hours trading, underscoring how political rhetoric can ripple through Wall Street.

Experts in media and business ethics are weighing in on the broader implications. Dr. Elena Ramirez, a professor of health policy at Harvard University, told the Globe that this isn't merely a personal spat. "The NEJM has long been a bastion of evidence-based medicine, free from overt political bias," she said. "Trump's attacks threaten the independence of scientific discourse, which is vital for innovation. If journals start self-censoring to avoid political backlash, we could see a chilling effect on research funding and corporate investments in R&D." Ramirez pointed to historical precedents, like the tobacco industry's battles with medical journals in the 20th century, where business interests clashed with public health advocacy.

On the publishing side, the feud exposes vulnerabilities in the academic journal ecosystem. The NEJM, founded in 1812, boasts a circulation of over 600,000 and an impact factor that makes it a gold standard for medical research. But in an era of digital disruption, where open-access models and social media challenge traditional gatekeepers, political attacks could accelerate shifts in how knowledge is disseminated. Competitors like The Lancet and JAMA have remained silent so far, but insiders speculate they might capitalize on the controversy by positioning themselves as neutral alternatives, potentially drawing away advertisers and authors.

Trump's history of tangling with the medical establishment adds layers to this saga. During his first term, he frequently clashed with figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and organizations such as the CDC and WHO, often framing them as adversaries in his narrative of government overreach. His administration's Operation Warp Speed was a success in accelerating COVID-19 vaccine development, but it was marred by controversies over hydroxychloroquine promotion and mask mandates. Now, with Trump back in the White House as of January 2025, his healthcare agenda includes deregulating drug approvals, promoting "right to try" laws for experimental treatments, and cutting federal grants to institutions he deems "woke." The NEJM editorial directly challenged these policies, warning that they could lead to unsafe drugs flooding the market and widen the gap between affluent and low-income patients.

The business community is watching closely. Pharmaceutical executives, speaking anonymously, expressed concern that Trump's feud could politicize drug pricing negotiations, a hot-button issue. Under the Biden administration, the Inflation Reduction Act capped prices on certain medications, a move Trump has vowed to repeal. If the NEJM's criticisms gain traction, it could bolster opposition from consumer advocacy groups, potentially delaying Trump's reforms and affecting company bottom lines. One biotech CEO noted, "We're in a delicate balance. Trump's deregulation could be a boon, but if it turns into a war on science, investors will flee."

Public reaction has been polarized, as expected. Supporters of Trump rallied in online forums, sharing memes depicting NEJM editors as out-of-touch elites. Conversely, the medical community mobilized in defense, with over 5,000 physicians signing a petition affirming the journal's integrity. Professional organizations like the American Medical Association issued statements condemning attempts to intimidate scientific publishers.

As the dust settles, questions linger about the long-term fallout. Will Trump's administration pursue concrete actions, such as auditing federal funds to NEJM-affiliated researchers? Could this lead to libel lawsuits, given Trump's litigious history? Legal experts doubt the viability of such suits, citing First Amendment protections, but the mere threat could impose costs on the journal.

In the grander scheme, this episode underscores a troubling trend: the erosion of trust in institutions. The NEJM, once seen as an apolitical arbiter of truth, is now thrust into the partisan fray. For businesses tied to healthcare—from startups developing AI-driven diagnostics to multinational pharma conglomerates—the stakes are high. Innovation thrives on stability and evidence, not Twitter tirades.

Trump's feud with the NEJM may be just the opening salvo in a larger battle over the soul of American medicine. As one analyst put it, "In the business of health, politics is the ultimate disruptor." Whether this leads to meaningful policy changes or fizzles into another forgotten headline remains to be seen, but for now, it's a reminder that in 2025, no institution is safe from the crosshairs of political ambition.

This isn't the first time Trump has targeted media outlets—recall his wars with The New York Times and CNN—but attacking a medical journal marks new territory. It blends his signature bravado with the high-stakes world of life sciences, where billions in investments hang in the balance. Industry watchers predict that if the boycott persists, NEJM might pivot to more digital, subscription-free models to weather the storm, potentially reshaping how medical knowledge is monetized.

Meanwhile, Trump's allies in Congress are already drafting bills to "reform" medical research funding, prioritizing "America First" initiatives over what they call "globalist" agendas. Critics argue this could divert resources from critical areas like cancer research and infectious diseases, impacting biotech hubs in Massachusetts and beyond.

The Boston area, home to NEJM and a thriving life sciences sector, feels the tension acutely. Local economists estimate that any disruption in research funding could cost the region thousands of jobs and billions in economic output. "We're the epicenter of medical innovation," said a chamber of commerce representative. "Politicizing it risks everything we've built."

As this story unfolds, one thing is clear: Trump's playbook of confrontation is alive and well, and its next chapter could redefine the business of medicine for years to come. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full The Boston Globe Article at:
[ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/24/business/trump-new-england-journal-of-medicine/ ]