Moroccan-Born Scientist Leads Trump’s COVID Vaccine Effort, Earns CNN Praise

In an article published on its website, the American channel claims that if everything goes as planned, a trilingual former pharmaceutical executive born in Morocco could be one of the few top executives to emerge from the Trump administration, which has been strongly criticized, with his reputation strengthened. It extols the merit of the Moroccan researcher who, according to it, has successfully led the "Warp Speed" operation, far from most of the administration’s disastrous crisis interventions.

For CNN, the biotechnology expert’s public comments are "clear, rare" and "rooted in science rather than politics," which contrasts with the positions of other key members of the Covid-19 team. The publication recalls that the scientist "only accepted the position after being assured of the absence of political interference from a president who had hoped that the news of a vaccine would guarantee him a second term."

The American channel emphasizes that Mr. Slaoui "does not agree with Trump’s refusal to adhere to a global pact to ensure equitable access to vaccines for poorer countries." The Covid-19 team has developed several highly effective vaccines, which according to the specialist could lead the United States to herd immunity by next May.

"Slaoui’s role as the savior of the American vaccine is also rather ironic," comments CNN, recalling that the scientist is from the immigration that "Trump and his collaborators have spent the last four years trying to reduce."