HHS Spokesman Michael Caputo—On Leave After Reported CDC Meddling—Diagnosed With Cancer

Topline

Long-time President Trump ally and Health and Human Services spokesperson Michael Caputo, on leave from his position after reportedly meddling with coronavirus reports produced by the CDC, has been diagnosed with cancer, according to a Thursday statement. 

Key Facts

Crucial Quote 

“I’m not going anywhere,” Caputo said during the September 13 livestream. “You know why? Because the president of the United States supports me.” 

Key Background 

The Trump administration has been accused of attempting to meddle with or undermine the work of the nation’s top scientists at the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration on multiple occasions since the coronavirus crisis hit the United States. Earlier on in the summer, the White House launched attacks against Dr. Anthony Fauci, with Trump’s trade advisor Peter Navarro calling the country’s leading infectious diseases expert “wrong on everything.” Then, in a rush to approve antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus treatment, despite no known utility for this purpose, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority Rick Bright alleged in a whistleblower complaint that he was demoted for raising health concerns as the White House and senior HHS officials pushed for approval. Trump has also been criticized for downplaying the virus in public, while admitting to journalist Bob Woodward it was “deadly stuff” before the U.S.’s first Covid-19 death was reported.

Further Reading 

“HHS Spokesperson Michael Caputo On Leave After Inflammatory Comments” (Forbes)

“Trump officials interfered with CDC reports on Covid-19” (Politico)

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