This was shocking.
At a recent White House event for Black History Month, President Donald Trump drew a noticeable reaction from the crowd when he expressed gratitude toward Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. While addressing attendees, Trump said, “We also have the head of Pfizer here, so I want to thank him, one of the great people, one of the great businessmen. Thank you, Albert, thank you.” This statement was met with loud boos from the audience, leading Trump to laugh off the response.
This moment highlights a growing sense of skepticism within the Republican base toward vaccine manufacturers and the pharmaceutical industry in general. As the American public’s trust in the COVID-19 vaccine continues to dwindle, particularly among conservative circles, Trump’s vocal support for the vaccine has caused tension with his own supporters. A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that, as of January 2025, one in four Republican parents reported having delayed or skipped childhood vaccinations. This trend reflects a broader reluctance to trust the institutions behind the vaccines, including major companies like Pfizer.
Public confidence in key health agencies has been on the decline as well. Many Americans are increasingly wary of the actions and motivations of organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, Trump’s support of certain vaccine manufacturers, coupled with growing discontent over corporate influence in politics, may fuel more backlash from his supporters who feel these entities have betrayed them.
Trump’s stance on vaccine companies becomes even more complicated with his recent appointments. By appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known critic of the vaccine industry, as his new health secretary, Trump seems to be signaling a shift in his administration’s approach to health policy. It remains to be seen how this dynamic will play out, especially as Trump has historically supported vaccine manufacturers, yet his growing relationship with figures like Kennedy could lead to a more cautious or even adversarial approach to the pharmaceutical industry moving forward.
In the context of Black History Month, Trump’s administration has also been under scrutiny for its stance on diversity initiatives in the workforce. The former president has been a vocal critic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, calling them forms of “discrimination.” With the nomination of Kennedy Jr., an outspoken opponent of vaccine mandates, Trump appears to be embracing a more populist agenda that aligns with many of his conservative base’s concerns—whether it’s vaccine distrust or skepticism toward corporate power in government.
As we move forward, the intersection of health policy, corporate influence, and conservative values is poised to be a key point of tension in Trump’s future campaigns, particularly as he navigates the complex relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and his support base.
WATCH:
“We also have the head of Pfizer here. I want to thank him. One of the great, great people. One of the great businessmen.” – President Trump
— An0maly (@LegendaryEnergy) February 20, 2025
*crowd boos loudly*
pic.twitter.com/nEF5oLKfpF