President Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed a non-existent vaccine he claimed prevents Aids during a police reform briefing.
Trump made the gaffe after veering off his prepared remarks on his law and justice executive order, and hailing his efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
“Before the end of the year, I predict we will have a very successful vaccine, therapeutic and cure (for Covid-19). We’re making tremendous progress,” Trump said. “I deal with these incredible scientists, doctors very closely. I have great respect for their minds. They have come up with things. They’ve come up with many other cures and therapeutics over the years… They’ve come up with the Aids vaccine.”
He added: “Aids was a death sentence and now people live a life with a pill.”
HIV – the virus which causes Aids – can be treated with daily medication that allows HIV positive people to reach a normal life expectancy. But there is still no vaccine to prevent the once-deadly virus, or cure that clears it from sufferers’ bodies 39 years after the condition was first identified by scientists.
During his speech, Trump unveiled a new executive order on police reform, which will see police departments across the US given funding for an independent audit on their professionalism and safety levels. Trump also encouraged giving officers less deadly weapons to tackle suspects.
Trump’s speech came weeks after Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin triggered worldwide Black Lives Matter protests.
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