President Trump on Monday called on pharmaceutical companies to publicly “justify” the success of their COVID-19 treatments, demanding transparency amid growing debate over vaccines and the performance of agencies like the CDC. “Many people think they are a miracle that saved millions of lives. Others disagree!” Trump said, adding that he had seen extraordinary data from Pfizer and others that had not been released to the public.

Trump criticized drugmakers for allegedly withholding critical results while the public and figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the CDC were left to argue over the drugs’ effectiveness. He urged immediate disclosure of the data, stating, “Clear up this mess, one way or the other!”

The president’s comments come amid internal tensions in the health community. Nine former CDC directors published an op-ed slamming Health Secretary Kennedy for his leadership and his attempt to remove current CDC Director Susan Monarez. One former CDC official revealed Kennedy hadn’t been briefed on major diseases, suggesting he may rely on alternative experts.

Meanwhile, Trump made headlines for unrelated reasons after a weekend absence from public view sparked rumors about his health. Hashtags like #TrumpIsDead trended online, though the speculation was quickly debunked after he was spotted golfing with former NFL coach Jon Gruden. Trump later posted about the outing, brushing off the rumors.

Vice President JD Vance addressed the speculation, saying Trump is in “incredibly good health” but confirmed he is prepared to step in if needed. The administration remains under scrutiny on multiple fronts — from health policy to leadership stability.