# FDA Nominee Calls Vaccine 'Safe' After Trump Called It 'Lethal'

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/fda-nominee-calls-vaccine-safe-after-trump-called-it-lethal
- Published: 2026-09-25T07:10:41.551723+00:00
- Topics: fda, vaccines, abortion-pill, confirmation-hearing, trump-administration

## What the left says
- Overton's confirmation testimony directly contradicts Trump's own public suggestion that the MMR vaccine could be 'quite lethal,' raising concerns about whether her stated positions reflect genuine conviction or political survival.
- Her deep involvement in drafting Trump's executive order overhauling the childhood vaccine schedule — an order Senator Cassidy called based on 'zero' scientific evidence — suggests she has already helped advance vaccine skepticism inside the administration despite her hearing statements.
- Her refusal to give a direct answer when asked if she'd stand up to a president who 'lies all of the time' underscores fears she would prioritize loyalty to Trump over independent scientific judgment as FDA commissioner.
- Her background authoring papers critical of abortion access and transgender care at the America First Policy Institute signals she may bring an ideological agenda to decisions like the ongoing mifepristone safety review.

## What the right says
- Overton's clear, repeated statements that the MMR vaccine and all currently marketed vaccines are 'safe and effective' show she is grounding her leadership in established science rather than political messaging.
- As a physician and experienced White House policy adviser, she brings relevant medical and administrative expertise to an agency in need of steady leadership after the previous commissioner's turbulent departure.
- Her pledge to speed up drug development and protect America's leadership in biotechnology reflects a broader goal of making the FDA more efficient and less burdened by unnecessary regulatory delay.
- She emphasized following statutory requirements and providing the president her 'best advice' rather than blindly complying with political pressure, suggesting a commitment to professional independence within her role.

## Common ground
- Both sides agree the MMR vaccine is safe and effective, a point Overton stated explicitly and unchallenged at the hearing.
- There is shared recognition that the U.S. is experiencing its highest number of measles cases since 1991, making public health messaging on vaccines a pressing concern.
- Both sides acknowledge Overton's central and controversial role in shaping the administration's vaccine and drug policies, including the childhood vaccine schedule overhaul and the mifepristone review.
- Senators across the political spectrum used the hearing to probe how she would balance scientific integrity with political pressure from the president who nominated her.

## Sources
- [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/FDA-Heidi-Overton-abortion-vaccines-Trump/2026/09/24/id/1270562) (Right)
- [ABC News](https://abcnews.com/Health/dr-heidi-overton-senate-committee-confirmation-hearing-fda/story?id=136696576) (Lean Left)
- [PBS NewsHour](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-senators-question-heidi-overton-in-confirmation-hearing-for-fda-commissioner) (Lean Left)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/video-clips/6108354-watch-live-heidi-overton-fda-nominee-senate-help-confirmation-hearing/) (Center)
- [Washington Times](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/24/senators-question-fda-nominee-heidi-overton-views-abortion-pill/) (Right)
- [The Guardian US](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/24/fda-heidi-overton-measles-mmr-vaccine) (Left)
- [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/09/24/trumps-fda-pick-face-scrutiny-vaccines-abortion-pill/) (Lean Left)
- [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-fda-pick-repeatedly-sidesteps-sanders-universal-healthcare-demands-heated-clash) (Right)
- [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/trumps-fda-pick-face-scrutiny-abortion-pill-access-confirmation-hearin-rcna599455) (Lean Left)
- [Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/trumps-fda-nominee-grilled-by-gop-senator-over-childhood-vaccine-schedule-12485292) (Lean Right)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/newsletters/healthcare/6110563-fda-pick-sidesteps-tough-questions/) (Center)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/6107415-collins-overton-fda-testimony/) (Center)

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