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CDC official who blasted Trump's 'weak science' led politicized Biden-era monkeypox response

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  Published in Science and Technology on Saturday, August 30th 2025 at 10:45 GMT by Fox News
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Monkeypox in the Spotlight: A Former CDC Director Critiques Trump‑Led Science Failings and Calls for a Safer Biden Response

The United States has once again found itself in the midst of a public‑health crisis, this time from the re‑emergent threat of monkeypox. The new outbreak, which has infected more than 30,000 people worldwide and more than 6,000 in the United States, has prompted a flurry of policy decisions that have drawn scrutiny from a former Chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Robert Redfield—who led the CDC from 2018 to 2021—has been outspoken in his criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of pandemic science and, more recently, of the Biden administration’s current monkeypox strategy. In an interview with Fox News, Redfield underscored how a “weak science‑led, politicized” approach has undermined the country’s ability to respond to emerging infectious diseases.

A Brief History: Trump, the COVID Pandemic, and the CDC

Redfield’s tenure as CDC director began at a time of intense political scrutiny. In 2018, the U.S. had already seen a surge of concerns about emerging diseases such as Zika and Ebola, and the Trump administration’s approach to science communication had become a point of contention. Redfield repeatedly clashed with senior officials over the CDC’s guidance on mask-wearing, social distancing, and other COVID‑19 mitigation measures. The result was a fragmented message that confused the public and slowed the nation’s response.

Redfield has been particularly critical of what he describes as “weak science” under the Trump presidency—a phrase that reflects the administration’s tendency to downplay the seriousness of the virus and to prioritize political messaging over expert guidance. He has also cited the politicization of scientific data—where policy decisions were influenced more by electoral calculus than by epidemiological models—as a key driver of the pandemic’s devastation.

The Monkeypox Crisis: A New Chapter

In May 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a public‑health emergency of international concern. The outbreak, originating in central Africa, has spread to non‑endemic countries through international travel and close contact. In the United States, the CDC has issued detailed guidance for clinicians and public health officials, including testing protocols, isolation guidelines, and vaccine recommendations.

Redfield’s criticism is two‑fold: first, he argues that the CDC’s current guidance is hampered by a lack of clear strategy; second, he believes that the Biden administration’s messaging has become “politicized” in a similar fashion to that of the previous administration. In his words, “the response is not based on science; it’s based on political priorities.”

Specific Points of Contention

1. Delayed Vaccine Deployment
   The CDC recommends that the smallpox vaccine, used off‑label to protect against monkeypox, be given to high‑risk populations. However, the vaccine’s supply chain has been constrained, leading to delays in vaccination for those most in need. Redfield notes that “the vaccine supply is a political issue—it's about the decision to manufacture enough doses, not about the science behind the vaccine.”

2. Testing Bottlenecks
   While the CDC has set up testing protocols, many laboratories are still not equipped with the necessary reagents and kits. Redfield points out that “the testing infrastructure was not built to respond to this emergency, which is a failure of planning and, again, a failure of science‑driven policy.”

3. Public Communication
   Under the Biden administration, CDC officials have faced criticism for using ambiguous language about the risk level of monkeypox. Redfield argues that “the CDC’s messaging has been diluted, making it difficult for the public to understand the severity of the situation.”

4. Political Influence on Guidance
   Redfield stresses that decisions about testing thresholds, vaccine allocation, and quarantine guidelines are being influenced by political pressures. He contends that “public‑health guidance should be insulated from political influence, and that is not happening.”

The Bigger Picture: Lessons for Future Outbreaks

Redfield’s critique is not merely about the current monkeypox crisis; it is a broader indictment of how political interference can compromise a country’s public‑health infrastructure. By drawing parallels between the COVID‑19 pandemic and the monkeypox outbreak, he underscores a recurring pattern: a failure to trust science, to allocate adequate resources, and to communicate transparently leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and public confusion.

In a Fox News interview, Redfield emphasized that the CDC has a duty to provide “data‑driven, non‑partisan guidance.” He called on the Biden administration to double down on science, to provide sufficient funding for vaccine research and distribution, and to ensure that public health officials have the autonomy to make decisions based on epidemiology, not on election cycles.

Conclusion: The Need for a Science‑First Approach

The monkeypox outbreak presents a new test for U.S. public‑health institutions. Dr. Robert Redfield’s remarks serve as a warning: political interference and a lack of scientific rigor can derail responses to emerging diseases. For the Biden administration—and for the CDC—this means prioritizing the science, ensuring adequate resources for testing and vaccination, and communicating transparently with the public. Only then can the nation effectively control monkeypox and prepare for the next pandemic that may emerge.