DeSantis pushes Florida surgeon general for CDC director role

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly endorsed Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo as a candidate for the role of CDC Director. This suggestion comes amid President Donald Trump's need to nominate a new candidate after the previous nominee, Dr. Dave Weldon, was withdrawn due to insufficient Senate support. DeSantis argues that Ladapo's appointment would be transformative and beneficial for Florida, emphasizing his courage and determination to lead effectively in challenging situations. This endorsement aligns with DeSantis' previous support for Ladapo for roles within the Trump administration, including a floated candidacy for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
This development comes amidst a backdrop of Trump's broader efforts to restructure federal agencies, including the proposed dismantling of the Education Department. The potential appointment of Ladapo to the CDC would be significant, marking a shift towards a more Florida-centric influence on national health policy. It also highlights the ongoing strategic alignments within the Republican Party as figures like DeSantis and Trump navigate their political agendas. The outcome of this nomination could have lasting impacts on U.S. public health policy and the political landscape, particularly with regard to the Make America Healthy Again initiative advocated by DeSantis.
RATING
The article effectively reports on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's support for Dr. Joseph Ladapo as a candidate for CDC Director. It presents the key facts clearly and in a timely manner, focusing on an issue of significant public interest. However, the article lacks balance, as it does not include perspectives from other political figures or public health experts. This limits the depth of analysis and potential impact, as the article does not fully explore the implications of Ladapo's controversial views on public health. Additionally, the article could benefit from greater transparency and source diversity to enhance its credibility and reader engagement. Overall, the story is informative and relevant but would be strengthened by a more comprehensive examination of the topic.
RATING DETAILS
The story accurately reports that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is advocating for Dr. Joseph Ladapo to become the CDC Director, a claim supported by DeSantis's public statements and tweets. The article also correctly states that the nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon for the CDC Director role was withdrawn due to a lack of Senate support, corroborated by Weldon's own statement. However, the story lacks verification of the potential impact of Ladapo's leadership on national health policies and whether he would indeed receive sufficient Senate support if nominated. Additionally, the article does not address criticisms of Ladapo's scientific methods, which are relevant to his suitability for the CDC role.
The article primarily presents the perspective of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his support for Dr. Joseph Ladapo, without offering counterarguments or perspectives from other political figures or public health experts. This creates an imbalance, as the potential implications of Ladapo's leadership at the CDC and the criticisms he has faced are not explored. Including viewpoints from opposing political figures or health experts could provide a more balanced view of the situation.
The article is generally clear and straightforward, presenting the main points in a logical order. It effectively communicates DeSantis's support for Ladapo and the withdrawal of Weldon's nomination. However, the inclusion of more background information on Ladapo's public health positions and the political context could enhance understanding for readers unfamiliar with the topic.
The article cites statements from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Dr. Dave Weldon, both of whom are directly involved in the events being reported. However, it lacks input from a broader range of sources, such as public health experts or political analysts, which could provide additional context and depth to the story. The reliance on statements from involved parties without external validation limits the article's source quality.
The article provides clear attributions to the statements made by DeSantis and Weldon, but it does not disclose any potential biases or conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting. The lack of context regarding Ladapo's controversial views on public health and the criticisms he has faced limits the transparency of the article. Additionally, the article does not explain the methodology or criteria behind DeSantis's support for Ladapo as a candidate for the CDC Director role.
Sources
- https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-floats-florida-surgeon-general-dr-joseph-ladapo-candidate-trumps-hhs-secretary
- https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/03/24/desantis-ladapo-cdc-trump-health-weldon/
- https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/24/florida-surgeon-general-covid-vaccine-00093510
- https://floridapolitics.com/archives/726420-ron-desantis-wants-joseph-ladapo-at-cdc/
- https://www.foxnews.com/politics/casey-desantis-calls-cdc-utter-disgrace-keeping-covid-19-vaccine-its-recommended-list-children
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

President’s Day Weekend Firings At Government Agencies Within HHS
Score 5.0
Trump flies US flag at full height before end of 30-day mourning period
Score 5.0
EXCLUSIVE: Governor Ron DeSantis addresses rocky relationship with the Florida House
Score 6.2
Francis spoke clearly. It would be a miracle if the administration listened
Score 6.6