The Lancet, a once-prestigious medical journal, has expressed stark concerns regarding Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. President, which it perceives as a significant threat to the integrity and functionality of key health institutions such as the CDC, NIH, and FDA. An unsigned editorial emphasized that Trump’s victory leaves the health community feeling anxious about future developments in the United States and globally. The journal has a history of expressing hostility toward Trump and his policies, reflecting an ongoing concern about the impacts of his administration on health and science.
Criticism leveled by The Lancet against Trump centers around issues of race and public health. In previous articles, the journal accused Trump of exploiting racial grievances to gain political support among low and middle-income white individuals. The publication asserts that this manipulation of public sentiment has detrimental effects on health, benefiting corporations at the expense of marginalized groups. It has connected Trump’s political rhetoric, which it deems bigoted and xenophobic, to an increase in societal tensions, including heightened violence from white nationalists and insurrection during his term.
The Lancet has positioned itself on the far left of the political spectrum, endorsing progressive stances on abortion, gender theories, and climate change. It has criticized Trump’s judicial appointments for being dismissive of essential civil rights, especially in areas related to reproductive health and immigration. Furthermore, the journal controversially assigned responsibility for a significant number of deaths to Trump’s environmental policies, claiming his deregulation efforts exacerbated pollution and contributed to climate change, leading to thousands of premature deaths.
While The Lancet contends that Trump’s policies are harmful, it has praised President Biden’s administration for reversing many of Trump’s actions. The journal commended Biden for rejoining international agreements that support public health and climate initiatives, positioning his administration as a balance to Trump’s alleged failings. The Lancet’s analysis portrays Trump’s first term as particularly damaging, suggesting his inclination to ignore scientific consensus and prioritize personal instinct undermined public health responses.
Specifically, The Lancet has raised alarms about Trump’s alleged disregard for the values of scientific integrity. It claims he has perpetuated misinformation during crises and has fostered a Party environment hostile to public health agencies. The perceived weakening of institutions like the CDC and NIH under his administration might lead to a “scientific vacuum,” further eroding public faith in the scientific process, which The Lancet warns is particularly precarious at this moment.
Ironically, the editorial suggests that The Lancet itself has played a role in the erosion of public trust in science. By aligning closely with certain political ideologies and advocacy positions, including the uncritical promotion of the World Health Organization and an alarmist stance on climate change, the journal admits to contributing to societal polarization in the discourse on health care and policy. The plea for introspection captures the ongoing debate around credibility in public health and the need for scientific institutions to maintain impartiality amidst a complex political landscape.
