Trump reveals he received a COVID-19 booster shot; the audience boos him

Key takeaways:

• Former US President Donald Trump drew boos from a Dallas crowd when he revealed that he had received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.

Former US President Donald Trump disclosed that he had received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, drawing boos from a Dallas crowd.

Trump revealed the news on the final stop of his “History Tour,” a live interview show he’s been doing with former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly.

According to the video shared online by O’Reilly’s “No Spin News,” O’Reilly said at the American Airlines Center, “Both the president and I are vaxxed,” drawing jeers from the audience.

He questioned the former president, “Did you get the booster?” Trump replied, “Yes.” “I got it, too,” O’Reilly added, drawing more jeering.

“Don’t! Don’t! Don’t! Don’t! Don’t!” Trump told the crowd, waving his hand away from their applause.

Also read: New limits to combat the Omicron variant have caused theatres in Ontario to cancel shows

Despite his opposition to vaccine mandates, Trump has long claimed credit for vaccines developed under his watch. While at the same time, he has refused to encourage his supporters to take them, although Republicans are far less likely to be protected than Democrats.

While other world leaders, such as former Vice President Mike Pence, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, received their doses in public to promote the lifesaving medicine, Trump chose to receive his dose in private, indicating his recognition of the vaccine’s unpopularity among large swaths of his base. 

While he has blamed the Biden administration for vaccine scepticism, he repeatedly undermined public health recommendations while in office, encouraging the use of unproven treatments and downplaying the virus’s threat as he tried to prioritize economic recovery and win a second term.

During a September interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump said he “probably” wouldn’t get a booster shot.

He told the newspaper, “I feel like I’m in good shape from that standpoint.” “Later, I’ll take a look at things. I’m not opposed to it, but I’m not sure it’s for me.”

As the nation grapples with an outbreak of the new, highly contagious omicron variant, the US has urged all eligible Americans to get booster shots as soon as possible. 

Booster shots of Moderna and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines appear to protect against the new strain, which preliminary evidence suggests can evade vaccines better than previous versions.

In October 2020, before the presidential election, Trump was hospitalized with COVID-19 and treated with experimental monoclonal antibodies. 

Mark Meadows, Trump’s former chief of staff, revealed in a new book that Trump was far sicker than the White House claimed at the time.

Before the booing, Trump told the audience on Sunday that they should “take credit” for the success of vaccines developed during his presidency.

“Look, we accomplished something historic. We helped tens of millions of people all over the world. We got a vaccine, three vaccines, and tremendous therapeutics done together, all of us — not just me, “Trump stated his opinion. “This was going to wreak havoc on the country far beyond its current state. 

Take responsibility for it. You should take credit for it… Allowing them to take it away is not a good idea. Please don’t take it away from us.”

“When you say things like, ‘Oh the vaccine,’ you’re playing right into their hands,” he added. “You should not be forced to take it if you do not want to. There are no regulations, “he said, eliciting applause. “However, take pride in the fact that we saved tens of millions of lives. Accept credit for your efforts. Don’t let them take away your freedom.”

A request for comment from Trump’s aides was not immediately returned on Monday.

Source: CTV News

Get Canada and Ontario’s top News, Market news, and other worldwide news only on Ontario Independent