Trump Jokes About Contracting COVID After Health Secretary Kennedy Sneezes During Pfizer Drug Pricing Announcement

During an Oval Office press conference, President Donald Trump joked about catching COVID-19 after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sneezed just a foot away from him, reflecting Trump's cautious approach to germs amid ongoing health questions. The event marked the launch of TrumpRx, a new platform allowing Americans to purchase prescription drugs directly from manufacturers, bypassing insurance, alongside Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. Pfizer agreed to lower prices on several medications in the U.S., becoming the first major drugmaker to comply with Trump's demand for "most favored nation pricing" to reduce drug costs to align with international rates. Trump highlighted this deal as a turning point in lowering the high prescription drug prices in the U.S. He further referenced the antiviral medication Paxlovid, manufactured by Pfizer, requesting it humorously after Kennedy's sneeze. The incident drew parallels to early COVID-19 pandemic moments when Trump was visibly cautious about virus exposure, underscoring his ongoing focus on health and pharmaceutical reforms.