What does Trump think about so-called alternative medicine (SCAM)?

“What does Trump think about so-called alternative medicine (SCAM)?”

Does anyone know?

Does he even know himself?

Time to ask GROK!

Here is the answer I got when asking exactly that question (the bold print was added by me in an attempt to highlight what I felt was important):

There is no definitive, up-to-date public statement from Donald Trump explicitly outlining his views on alternative medicine as a broad category. However, based on available information from his actions, statements, and policy moves, we can piece together some insights into his stance, particularly during his presidency and recent activities up to May 2025.

Key Points on Trump’s Views and Actions Related to Alternative Medicine:

1 Skepticism of Mainstream Medical Institutions:

• Trump has often expressed distrust toward mainstream medical and scientific establishments, which aligns with sentiments in some alternative medicine communities. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he promoted unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, despite limited scientific evidence supporting their efficacy for COVID-19. His endorsements led to significant increases in prescriptions and public interest, highlighting his influence and willingness to back therapies outside mainstream medical consensus.
• This skepticism is further evidenced by his support for figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of promoting alternative health perspectives and questioning mainstream medical practices, such as vaccines. Trump appointed RFK Jr. to lead the “Make America Healthy Again” Commission, which focuses on chronic diseases and could potentially explore non-conventional approaches.

2 Support for Experimental and Compassionate Use Treatments:

• Trump has advocated for policies like the “Right-to-Try” legislation, which allows terminally ill patients to access experimental drugs not yet fully approved by the FDA. This reflects a willingness to bypass traditional medical regulatory pathways to provide access to treatments that might be considered alternative or unproven. In his 2018 State of the Union address, he emphasized giving patients a chance to try such treatments, framing it as a matter of patient empowerment.
• During his own COVID-19 treatment in October 2020, Trump received an experimental antibody cocktail from Regeneron under compassionate use rules, which was not widely available to the public. This move raised ethical questions but also showed his openness to non-standard treatments when personally relevant.

3 Limited Direct Engagement with Alternative Medicine:

• There is little evidence that Trump has explicitly endorsed practices like acupuncture, homeopathy, or naturopathy, which are commonly associated with alternative medicine. For example, the Trump Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis (2017) did not reference nonpharmacologic or integrative approaches like acupuncture in its interim report, despite growing mainstream support for such methods in pain management.
• However, a 2025 budget proposal from Trump reportedly included eliminating funding for the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), suggesting a lack of priority or potential skepticism toward federally funded research into complementary therapies.

4 Overlap with Alternative Medicine Communities:

• Trump’s rhetoric and appeal have resonated with some alternative medicine communities due to shared distrust of mainstream institutions. A 2020 Washington Post article noted parallels between Trump’s base and alternative medicine advocates, both of whom often reject “mainstream” narratives (e.g., media or medical establishment) in favor of empowerment through “doing your own research.” This ideological overlap doesn’t necessarily mean Trump endorses alternative medicine outright but indicates a cultural alignment with some of its proponents.
• His association with figures like RFK Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who have at times supported controversial or alternative health ideas, further ties him to this space, though his personal stance remains less explicit.

5 Focus on Patient Empowerment and Deregulation:

• Trump’s broader healthcare agenda emphasizes deregulation, patient choice, and reducing reliance on federal oversight, which could indirectly support alternative medicine by lowering barriers to unorthodox treatments. His executive orders on healthcare, such as those promoting price transparency and flexibility in health plans, align with a philosophy of giving individuals more control over their healthcare decisions, a principle often championed by alternative medicine advocates.

Analysis and Gaps:

• Lack of Explicit Policy on Alternative Medicine: Trump has not articulated a clear, comprehensive stance on alternative medicine as a field (e.g., acupuncture, herbal remedies, or chiropractic care)v His focus has been more on specific unproven treatments (e.g., hydroxychloroquine) or policies that indirectly affect the broader healthcare landscape.
• Context of COVID-19: His promotion of unproven COVID-19 treatments was controversial and led to real-world consequences, such as increased prescriptions and a reported death linked to chloroquine misuse. This suggests a willingness to endorse therapies with limited evidence when they align with his narrative or political goals, but it’s not a blanket endorsement of all alternative medicine.
• Potential Contradictions: The proposed cut to NCCIH funding contrasts with his support for figures like RFK Jr., who might advocate for exploring alternative approaches. This could indicate a pragmatic or inconsistent approach rather than a unified stance.

Conclusion:

Donald Trump’s views on alternative medicine appear to be less about endorsing specific practices and more about a broader distrust of mainstream medical institutions, a focus on patient empowerment, and a willingness to support unproven or experimental treatments in certain contexts. His actions, such as promoting hydroxychloroquine, supporting Right-to-Try, and aligning with figures skeptical of conventional medicine, suggest an openness to non-traditional approaches, particularly when they resonate with his base or personal circumstances. However, his budget proposal to defund the NCCIH indicates he may not prioritize federal support for researching complementary therapies. Without a direct statement from Trump, his stance remains inferred from these actions and associations. For the most current perspective, checking recent statements or posts on platforms like Truth Social could provide further clarity, but as of May 2025, no such explicit statement is widely documented.

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The next question is: WHO CARES?

Why should it matter what the spiritus rector of the KKK bar of human decency thinks?

Sadly, the answer is BECAUSE HE HAS INFLUENCE.

My prediction is that Trump will remain uninterested in SCAM until the moment he sees an oportunity to make millions of it. Let’s hope this never happens!