Florida surgeon General Joseph Radapop could soon become one of the nation’s finest health authorities.
At least that would be the case if Gov. Ron DeSantis had his way.
Over the weekend, DeSantis raised public pressure to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to hire President Donald Trump to hire Ladapau.
“Dr. Joe Radapop… has the courage and determination to do the right thing when it’s not easy,” DeSantis posted on X Sunday from his official government account. “Rapad as CDC Director means that Maha (to make America healthy again) is not just an empty slogan.”
Hours later, from his personal account, DeSantis once again regained his appeal to Trump.
“Radapo will become a change agent as CDC director…” Desantis posted.
The position of director has been subject to speculation for several days. Trump’s first choice, former Florida US representative Dave Weldon, saw the White House pick earlier this month because he had no votes confirmed by the US Senate.
Now it is rumoured that Trump is considering Ladapau. If Radhapo gets a nod, that means a fundamental new direction for federal agencies.
Radapop has been in conflict with the CDC many times during his tenure at the helm of the Florida Department of Health. He has repeatedly warned about what he says is a risk of the mRNA covid-19 vaccine. The CDC recommended these shots.
When the state saw a small measles outbreak in February 2024, Radapop said parents were leaving their children to school or not.
And recently, Ladapo has moved states to help local governments remove fluoride that helps prevent cavities from the water system. This brings us to a similar call from US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Many local Florida governments, including Collier County and Lakeland, do so. In claiming fluoride removal, Ladapop cites research showing that minerals can have a negative effect on children’s cognitive development. The CDC calls one of the 10 “great public health achievements” of the 20th century the fluorination of water.
Radapop is one of the governor’s most loyal appointees, often praises DeSantis for his public appearance.
Also, the CDC job will be considered by former US representative Michael Burgess of Texas, CBS reported.
The CDC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
