Critics are criticizing President Biden for taking credit for launching the COVID-19 vaccine – and for not thanking former President Trump for starting Operation Warp Speed, which produced the jab in a year.
In his first prime-time speech on Thursday night, Biden praised his government for taking a “war footing” stance when it comes to fighting the virus, ensuring that all Americans will be eligible for a vaccine from the 1st of May.
Experts like Fox News presenter Sean Hannity took aim at Biden for trying to “get credit for everything Donald Trump did at COVID-19”, noting that three vaccines were already in development when Biden took office.
“There were already a million vaccines being administered in people’s arms every day when Biden took the oath, 36 million doses had already been distributed,” said Hannity.
He continued, “Joe, do you want to get together? Why don’t you just thank Donald Trump? You want us all to be well, you say. No Trump, no vaccine, Joe. Stop trying to take credit for something, frankly, that you had nothing to do with. Nothing.”
Ronna McDaniel, chairman of the Republican National Committee, accused Biden of “not being frank with the Americans”, including “on vaccines”.
“He is claiming that Operation Warp Speed never existed,” she tweeted.
Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) also criticized Biden for his comment.
“Tonight, @POTUS Biden showed no grace or appreciation for the leadership that led to Operation Warp Speed and the development of a safe and effective vaccine.” Hagerty tweeted.
Former New York congressman Nan Hayworth agreed that Trump deserves all the credit.
“‘MY government’, says President Biden, over and over again”, she tweeted. “The ONLY reason he can do any of the things he is doing with vaccines and vaccinations is Operation Warp Speed. The ONLY president who deserves extraordinary credit here is President TRUMP! “
Conservative commentator Katie Pavlich wrote, “Biden taking credit for the vaccine is absolutely amazing, but not surprising”.
On Wednesday, Trump issued a statement saying that Americans would be waiting years for a COVID-19 vaccine if it weren’t for him.
“I hope everyone will remember that when they are taking the COVID-19 vaccine (often called the China Virus), if I were not the president, you would not have had that beautiful ‘injection’ for 5 years, at best , and probably would not achieve anything, ”said Trump.