Trump nominates Covid skeptic Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead National Institutes of Health

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is known for his controversial views on Covid-19, advocating for infection among young, healthy individuals before vaccines were available. Bhattacharya is a professor at Stanford University and directs its Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging. He will oversee the NIH's $47 billion budget and work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary-designate. This nomination marks a shift in leadership at the NIH, focusing on alternative health strategies. Bhattacharya's appointment reflects Trump's approach to addressing health challenges in the U.S.