Superstar Elton John Shares What Would Make Trump One Of The ‘Greatest Presidents In History’
Elton John told Variety last week that if President Donald Trump helps deliver on the long-standing goal of ending AIDS, it would cement a historic legacyโan appeal that comes as scientific breakthroughs and policy debates converge around HIV prevention and global aid.
Speaking Tuesday with Variety about the work of his namesake Elton John AIDS Foundation, the โTiny Dancerโ singer emphasized the value of bipartisan cooperation. He noted past support from Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and urged the Trump administration to keep pushing toward eradication.
โThe bipartisan thing makes common sense,โ John said. โTo see us come so far with the medical and scientific advances, and to think this is the only disease that can be completely cured in oneโs lifetime. President Trump has maybe solved the peace problem. If he wants to go down as one of the greatest presidents in historyโฆ if he ended AIDS, that would really be a feather in his cap.โ
Johnโs remarks come as new medical advances have added momentum to HIV prevention. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in June a new, twice-yearly shot from Gilead Sciences, a U.S. private sector biopharmaceutical company, to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. In clinical trials, the shot was nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV transmission and performed better than prior prevention options.
Trump has also previously stated a goal of eradicating the disease by 2030, announcing an initiative to end HIV during his first term in 2019.
Even so, the politics of global health funding remain contentious. The Trump administration sought to cut funding from the Presidentโs Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the presidentโs original rescissions package in July, though Senate Republicans later agreed to preserve PEPFAR funding.
John said he is frustrated when governments scale back supportโwhether through budget decisions or legal restrictionsโdespite the availability of effective tools.
โI just am enraged by it,โ John told Variety. โItโs very frustrating when youโve got the tools in your hand to end it, and then you find that countries wonโt help.โ
In a comment to Fox News Digital, White House spokesman Kush Desai said the administration is continuing its efforts domestically and internationally.
โElton John can rest assured that the Trump administration is robustly tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic both at home and abroad,โ Desai said. โThe State Department is working directly with foreign governments to implement a global health strategy to streamline Americaโs foreign assistance and modernize our approach to countering infectious diseases like HIV.โ
He added, โHHS, meanwhile, is advancing next-generation HIV prevention and treatment options, strengthening viral suppression nationwide via HRSAโs Ryan White program, supporting emergency preparedness, and expanding access to trusted HIV information.โ
Johnโs comments also reflect a long-running, sometimes surprising, cordiality toward Trump. He has spoken positively about the president beforeโincluding reacting to Trumpโs โLittle Rocket Manโ nickname for North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, a reference to Johnโs music.
โI laughed, I thought that was brilliant,โ John said in 2024. โI just thought, โGood on you, Donald’โฆ Donaldโs always been a fan of mine, and heโs been to my concerts many, many times. So, I mean, Iโve always been friendly toward him, and I thank him for his support. When he did that, I just thought it was hilarious. It made me laugh.โ
