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Donald Trump praised American scientists for developing a non-existent AIDS vaccine (Screenshot: The Hill)
Donald Trump has falsely suggested that American scientists have “come up with” an AIDS vaccine, which doesn’t exist.
Speaking at a press conference on police reform, the president began rambling off topic and instead hailed his own efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
He tied the fight against HIV to the fight against the coronavirus, telling reporters that American scientists working on a COVID-19 vaccine are making “tremendous progress.” He then stated that they have come up with other cures in the past, including a vaccine for AIDS.
“Before the end of the year I predict we will have a very successful vaccine, therapeutic and cure [for COVID-19],” he said.
“We’re making tremendous progress. I deal with these incredible scientists, doctors, very, very closely. I have great respect for their minds. And they have come up with things. And they’ve come up with many other cures and therapeutics over the years… They’ve come up with the AIDS vaccine…”
Perhaps realising his error, Trump appeared to immediately backtrack on this by speaking about “AIDS therapeutic” and a daily pill, an apparent reference to a variety of antiviral treatments available to people with HIV.
“They’ve come up with, or the AIDS, and the, as you know there’s various things, and now various companies are involved but the therapeutic for AIDS, AIDS was a death sentence, and now people live a life with a pill. It’s an incredible thing.”
President Trump: “They’ve come up with the AIDS vaccine.” pic.twitter.com/JF6zCdmPYC
— The Hill (@thehill) June 16, 2020
While it is true that international AIDS researchers have developed a number of treatments for those living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, there is still no vaccine or ‘cure’ for the disease.
Trump’s false claims spread like fire on social media, with the topic trending on Twitter and drawing widespread derision online.
There’s no such thing as an AIDS vaccine. We do have drugs like Truvada and Descovy that are about 92% effective at preventing HIV infection when used correctly as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). But Trump’s remarks about a HIV vaccine is both dangerous misinformation and false.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) June 16, 2020
For these HIV PrEP drugs to work correctly, you must take them regularly as directed by your doctor. That’s why Trump’s remarks about an AIDS vaccine is so dangerous. As a physician, I’m worried that some patients may get the wrong impression that HIV PrEP is a one-time vaccine.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) June 16, 2020
No Trump. As always you are WRONG.
There is no vaccine for AIDS though we have advancements in treatment where PLHIV can have achieve an undetectable viral load and not transmit (“U=U”). Our battle continues with pharma holding monopolies on these lifesaving drugs.
— ACT UP NY (@actupny) June 16, 2020
The sad part is that as soon as I saw “AIDS vaccine” trending, I knew Donald Trump was the one who had said something stupid about it.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) June 16, 2020
If President Obama ever slurred through a speech and lied about an AIDS vaccine, he’d have been impeached and removed faster than trump “ran” down that ramp.
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) June 16, 2020
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