Former President Trump recommended that Americans, and specifically those who voted for him, be vaccinated against COVID-19 during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday.
Why does it matter: The poll showed that Republicans are more likely to resist the idea of getting a coronavirus vaccine and public officials are increasingly concerned that this could prevent the country from achieving collective immunity against the virus.
Context: NIAID director Anthony Fauci told Fox News Sunday he would “make all the difference in the world” if former President Trump urged his supporters to get the coronavirus vaccine.
- “I’m very surprised that the high percentage of Republicans say they don’t want to be vaccinated,” said Fauci.
- “I don’t understand where this is coming from. It’s not a political issue. It’s a public health issue.”
What is he saying: “I would, I would recommend [the vaccine], “Trump told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo.
- “And I would recommend it to a lot of people who don’t want to get it, and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly.”
Yes but: Trump added that “we have our freedoms and we have to live for it and I agree with that too”.