Music icon Elton John has given President Donald Trump a major goal for the history books. The legendary singer said if Trump succeeds in eradicating AIDS, he will go down as "one of the greatest presidents" of all time. This high-profile endorsement validates Trump's existing initiative to end the disease by 2030.
John told Variety that the fight against AIDS is a bipartisan effort that makes "common sense." He emphasized that this is the "only disease that can be completely cured in one’s lifetime" due to incredible American scientific advances.
The singer laid out the challenge for the Commander-in-Chief. John said, “President Trump has maybe solved the peace problem. If he wants to go down as one of the greatest presidents in history… if he ended AIDS, that would really be a feather in his cap.”
The effort is already backed by American medical breakthroughs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new, twice-yearly shot from Gilead Sciences in June. The new shot proved nearly 100% effective in preventing HIV spread in clinical trials.
The White House immediately confirmed that the administration is committed to the goal. Spokesman Kush Desai said, “Elton John can rest assured that the Trump administration is robustly tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic both at home and abroad.”
Desai confirmed that the State Department is implementing a global health strategy to streamline foreign assistance. Meanwhile, HHS is strengthening treatment via the Ryan White program and expanding access to prevention options.
John admitted frustration over global obstacles, such as budget cuts, in providing aid to HIV patients. He said, “I just am enraged by it. It’s very frustrating when you’ve got the tools in your hand to end it, and then you find that countries won’t help.”
John has been friendly with Trump for years, even praising him for the "Little Rocket Man" nickname given to the North Korean dictator.