The 45th President of the United States today said there was an AIDS vaccine during a speech about COVID-19 at a policing event.
This is what he said (click here to watch him say it):
Before the end of the year, I predict we will have a very successful vaccine, therapeutic and cure [for COVID-19]. 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.
These are the people, the best, the smartest, the most brilliant anywhere, and they’ve come up with, uh, the AIDS vaccine, they’ve come up with, or the AIDS, and 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.
Of course, social media has weighed in:
No Trump. As always you are WRONG.
— ACT UP NY (@actupny) June 16, 2020
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.
No, there is not an AIDS Vaccine developed yet.
— Prevention Access (@PreventionAC) June 16, 2020
However, we do know that adhering to ART allows people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives while suppressing the virus to a point where it can no longer be transmitted through sex. #UequalsU pic.twitter.com/xBuJPZAHo2
If you heard today that an #AIDSvaccine exists, what you heard was wrong. Researchers & communities are still working to find an effective #HIVvaccine. Here’s an overview: https://t.co/JblLY5FANh. If @POTUS or others have questions, we’re happy to answer here.
— AVAC (@HIVpxresearch) June 16, 2020
Apropos of nothing: There is currently neither a cure nor a vaccine for HIV & AIDS.
— AIDS United (@AIDS_United) June 16, 2020
Our scientific knowledge of HIV has never been stronger, but our progress has stalled because essential programs aren’t getting the funding they need.
Take action today: https://t.co/AtXDHiCHWM pic.twitter.com/81YGeIFCfp
FACT CHECK: @realDonaldTrump is wrong.
— Health GAP (@HealthGAP) June 16, 2020
There is NOT an #AIDS vaccine.
That said, modern #HIV treatment and prevention could end the AIDS pandemic if Congress would listen to activists and adequately fund @PEPFAR and @GlobalFund and end patent monopolies on essential medicines.
Hey Individual number 1 the lies that spew from your mouth every waking second are more unhinged than ever. There is NO vaccine TO prevent AIDS if there was my sister Alexis would be alive.
— ✌????rosanna arquette (@RoArquette) June 16, 2020
Donald says the scientists working on a coronavirus vaccine also came up with the AIDS vaccine, so rest assured they definitely won’t brag about it.
— Randy Rainbow (@RandyRainbow) June 16, 2020
Trump’s policing executive order, summarized:
— The Recount (@therecount) June 16, 2020
• “They’ve come up with the AIDS vaccine”
• “Chokeholds will be banned unless an officer’s life is at risk”
• “We must build upon our heritage, not tear it down” pic.twitter.com/fStSTzwh31
Obviously, there is no AIDS vaccine. Perhaps he just misspoke, which he does all the time. After the gaffe, he does talk about HIV treatment.
No matter. Even saying that out loud as a mistake is awful. There is no AIDS vaccine, Mr. President. Don’t ever say that again.
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