When the Trump administration promised its hantavirus response would be “grounded in science”, it didn’t specify which discipline — because the official fronting the latest briefing has spent much of his career focused on penile implants.
Dr Brian Christine, the Trump administration’s assistant secretary for health and now among the senior figures involved in the US infectious disease response, previously worked as a urologist in Alabama with a specialty in penile implants.
Prior to entering federal service last November, he ran a professional YouTube series for other urologists about erectile dysfunction titled ‘Erection Connection’. His background includes limited public-facing experience in public health.
CNN reports that after reviewing archived podcast episodes, radio segments and social media posts, Christine has repeatedly portrayed public health bodies, the federal government and pandemic-era measures as mechanisms aimed at conservatives and religious Americans.
He has also previously alleged that the Covid pandemic formed part of a broader government effort to control the public, likened the Biden administration to Nazi Germany, and argued that Covid vaccines did little to curb the pandemic, despite evidence indicating they prevented millions of deaths.
Christine has additionally been reported to have suggested there was a global effort involving George Soros and people linked to the World Economic Forum’s “Great Reset” to use the pandemic as a way to force small businesses to shut down.
CNN’s @KFILE reveals the man leading the hantavirus response in the U.S. is a specialist in penile implants with little public health experience and hosted a podcast called “Erection Connection.” pic.twitter.com/rnqBH6maWl
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) May 16, 2026
In a podcast recorded during his 2022 run for Alabama state senate, Christine questioned the validity of the 2020 election. He has also supported abortion bans that do not include exceptions for rape or incest.
Despite that record, he moved straight from private practice into one of the highest-ranking public health posts in the federal government, taking office last November as assistant secretary for health.
He drew national attention this week after appearing before reporters in Nebraska to address a hantavirus outbreak connected to a quarantined cruise ship, telling the public the response would be managed openly and with transparency.
The US Department of Health and Human Services have been contacted for comment.
Speaking to CNN, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Media Relations Andrew Nixon said: “Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Christine remains focused on executing President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s agenda to Make America Healthy Again and deliver on President Trump’s Executive Order to protect our children against chemical and surgical mutilation.”