Elton John Says Trump Could Be Among America’s Greatest Ever Presidents… If He Helps Find a Cure For AIDS
Elton John speaking to Variety following a recent visit to South Africa.
British pop icon Elton John says President Trump could ultimately be remembered as one of the “greatest presidents in history” if his administration succeeds in helping to deliver a cure for AIDS. Speaking with Variety after leading a delegation to South Africa, the 78-year-old said that ending the epidemic would secure a historic legacy.
“Lindsey Graham said it was the best bang for your buck you could possibly get,” John noted when discussing the potential impact of an AIDS cure. “The bipartisan thing makes common sense. To see us come so far with medical and scientific advances, and to think this is the only disease that can be completely cured in one’s lifetime.”
“President Trump has maybe solved the peace problem. If he wants to go down as one of the greatest presidents in history … if he ended AIDS, that would really be a feather in his cap.”
This week’s cover story:
Elton John Is Still Standing: The Legend on Performing Plans, Loving Chappell Roan and His Legacy of Raising $650 Million for HIV/AIDShttps://t.co/kH89Fzy6db pic.twitter.com/3VigQUmPGe
— Variety (@Variety) November 25, 2025
Although John is not known for political activism, he has performed at various U.S. government events under different administrations and previously declined to appear at President Trump’s 2016 inauguration.
John and Trump are said to have known each other for many years and remain on friendly speaking terms. Reports from a 2023 event for Joe Biden described a joking or off-hand remark that stirred some controversy, though accounts of the comment varied and were not universally corroborated.
LMAOO.. never forget Joe Biden blaming Elton John for starting aids..
🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/OO2jVawuZl
— American AF 🇺🇸 (@iAnonPatriot) October 16, 2025
As an openly gay man, John has been one of the world’s most prominent AIDS activists since the 1980s. After losing several friends to the crisis, he founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992. The organization has raised hundreds of millions of pounds to support treatment, prevention, testing, and anti-stigma programs in more than 90 countries.
While not fully curable, AIDS treatment in 2025 is highly advanced. Modern therapies can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, prevent transmission, and allow patients to lead normal lives. Long-acting injectable treatments have further improved quality of care, though access remains uneven worldwide.
A true cure, however, remains out of reach. Scientists are still unable to eliminate hidden viral reservoirs, and ongoing research is now centered on gene-editing strategies and immune-based approaches that could one day bring the epidemic to an end.
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