Logan Reed
On February 6, 2017, the Houston Leader, a fake news website, published an article claiming that President Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order. This article is false, as there has been no follow-up to Trump's pre-election campaign concerns regarding vaccinations. However, during his administration, Trump has made controversial decisions regarding scientific research and appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic, as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of claim | 6 February 2017 |
| Source of claim | Houston Leader website |
| Claim | Trump enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order |
| Fact | The claim is false |
| Trump's stance on vaccines | Expressed concern about vaccines prior to the election campaign; appointed a prominent vaccine skeptic, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Health Secretary |
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What You'll Learn
Trump did not enact a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations
On February 6, 2017, the Houston Leader website published an article reporting that President Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order. However, this article was later debunked by Snopes and the Centre for Research on Globalization as fake news. While Trump had expressed concerns about vaccines prior to his election campaign, he did not enact a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations.
The article included screenshots of two genuine tweets by Trump from before his presidency, expressing anti-vaccine sentiments. One tweet stated, "I am being proven right about massive vaccinations—the doctors lied. Save our children & their future." While these tweets were legitimate, there was no follow-up in terms of an Executive Order banning childhood vaccinations.
It is important to note that the Houston Leader website is a fake news site that masquerades as a legitimate news outlet by emulating the appearance of big-city newspapers. This particular article did not include a disclaimer marking its content as fabricated, which is common on other fake news sites. As a result, it is important to fact-check information from questionable sources before accepting it as truth.
While Trump did not enact a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations, his administration has been criticized for its stance on vaccines and scientific research. Trump appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic, as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has a history of anti-vaccine advocacy, including spreading debunked claims linking vaccines to autism and leading an anti-vaccine group. He has also denied the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, which is particularly concerning given the ongoing pandemic.
In conclusion, while Trump did not enact a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations, his administration's stance on vaccines and scientific research has caused concern among public health experts and citizens alike.
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Trump's anti-vaccine rhetoric
On February 6, 2017, the Houston Leader, a fake news website, published an article claiming that President Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order. This article was fake, and no such ban was ever implemented. However, Trump had expressed concerns about vaccines prior to his election campaign.
Trump's administration has been criticized for declaring war on "woke" science, attempting to defund scientific research, and installing vaccine skeptics in key positions. They have also banned a long list of research terminology from government websites and sacked researchers at the National Science Foundation. Trump himself threatened to ban COVID-19 vaccines and claimed that doctors lied about the importance of massive vaccinations.
The appointment of Kennedy as Health Secretary raised concerns about the future role of vaccinations in the United States. Kennedy's non-profit, the Children's Health Defense, tried to block new COVID-19 vaccinations during the pandemic. His contradictory statements about vaccines and his denial of the life-saving impact of COVID-19 vaccines caused controversy during his Senate confirmation hearing.
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Trump's appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr
On 6 February 2017, the Houston Leader website published an article claiming that President Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order. However, this article was later debunked by Snopes and other sources as being fake news. While Trump had indeed expressed concerns about vaccines prior to his election campaign, there was no follow-up in the form of an executive order on childhood vaccinations.
Now, regarding Trump's appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also known as RFK Jr., there is no clear indication that a formal appointment was made to a specific position. However, it appears that Trump and RFK Jr. shared a mutual interest in vaccine skepticism and improving health in America. RFK Jr. was referred to as pursuing a "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) mandate, and he was accused by some, including Trump influencer Laura Loomer, of laying the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential run.
RFK Jr. has been described as a vaccine skeptic, and his views on the issue have been a source of controversy. He faced criticism from Laura Loomer, who saw his stance as ideological and inconsistent with right-wing beliefs. Despite this, RFK Jr. found support from actor Chris Pratt, who married into RFK Jr.'s family. Pratt expressed his agreement with certain aspects of RFK Jr.'s agenda, particularly the focus on removing toxic elements from children's food.
It is worth noting that Trump did take a significant interest in the affairs of the Kennedy Center, naming himself chairman and restocking its board with loyalists. However, there is no direct evidence to suggest that this is connected to his interactions with RFK Jr. or vaccine policy considerations.
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Trump's COVID-19 vaccination response
On February 6, 2017, a report by the Houston Leader website claimed that former US President Donald Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations via executive order. This article was later debunked as fake news. Trump had expressed concerns about the vaccine issue prior to the election campaign, but there was no follow-up in terms of an executive order.
In August 2025, reports emerged that the Trump administration was winding down mRNA vaccine development. This decision came after a comprehensive review of mRNA-related investments during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The move impacted 22 projects worth nearly $500 million and prevented the initiation of new mRNA-based projects under federal health agencies.
The Trump administration's decision to wind down mRNA vaccine development drew criticism from public health experts and the scientific and medical communities. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was appointed by Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has been accused of spreading medical disinformation, including about vaccines.
The HHS defended the decision, stating that they are shifting funding towards safer and broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate. However, critics argue that giving up on mRNA technology is a dangerous decision that will impact not just public health but also national security. mRNA technology allowed for a swift response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with vaccines going from the genetic sequence of the virus to human trials in under 70 days.
The Trump administration's response to COVID-19 vaccinations, including the winding down of mRNA vaccine development and the appointment of vaccine skeptics to key positions, has been a source of controversy and concern for public health experts and the scientific community.
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Trump's stance on abortion
Several sources refute the claim that former President Trump issued a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations. While Trump did express concern about the vaccine issue before his election campaign, no executive order regarding a ban was ever issued.
Now, regarding Trump's stance on abortion, it is evident that he has consistently opposed abortion access and reproductive rights. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that established a federal right to abortion. As president, he followed through on this promise, appointing staunch abortion opponents to the federal judiciary, including three Supreme Court justices. In 2022, these justices voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, resulting in a severe civil liberties and public health crisis. Trump even boasted about his role in ending the federal protection of abortion rights, wearing it as a "badge of honor."
Trump's administration took several steps to restrict abortion access and promote an anti-abortion agenda. They ended the use of federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortions, both domestically and overseas, through policies like the Hyde Amendment and the Mexico City Policy. They also worked to protect the conscience rights of healthcare entities and individuals, ensuring that medical professionals were not forced to participate in abortions if it violated their beliefs.
Trump's anti-abortion stance has had significant consequences for people seeking abortion care. Due to state-level abortion bans and restrictions, millions of people of reproductive age now live far from abortion providers, forcing many to travel out of state for care. Some states have even criminalized abortion care in medical emergencies, putting pregnant people's health, lives, and future fertility at risk.
A potential second Trump presidency is widely believed to further threaten abortion access and reproductive rights. Trump and his allies seek to impose abortion bans and restrictions nationwide, regardless of state-level protections. His public position on a national abortion ban shifts with political winds, but his commitment to restricting abortion rights remains clear.
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Frequently asked questions
No, this was fake news. On February 6, 2017, the Houston Leader website published a false article reporting that President Trump had enacted a 90-day ban on childhood vaccinations.
Yes, Trump expressed concern about childhood vaccinations prior to the 2016 election campaign. He also appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaxxer, as his health secretary.
The article claimed that Trump had signed an executive order placing a temporary 90-day ban on all childhood MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccinations. It also included two genuine tweets by Trump from before he became president, expressing anti-vaccination sentiments.
