Though the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be safe and effective at minimizing the spread of the virus that's killed more than 800 thousand Americans, conspiracy theories and skepticism regarding them have gripped conservative voters across the United States.
Far-right lawmakers like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin have repeatedly used their platforms to promote the false idea that the vaccines are dangerous or an exercise in government control. Republican governors like Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas have banned private businesses from verifying vaccinations at their establishments. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that unvaccinated people are disproportionately Republican.
Though he's done little to directly refute right-wing vaccine skepticism, former President Donald Trump has consistently said the vaccines are safe and effective. In a recent appearance with former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly, Trump confirmed to the audience that he had indeed received his booster, despite dismissing the necessary shot as a "money-making operation" this past summer.
Shockingly enough, Trump's supporters in the audience proceeded to boo him, and a number of his supporters online concurred in their dismay at Trump's comments.
Now, far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is railing against Trump for endorsing the booster shots, claiming Trump was allied with the "new world order."
Watch below.
Alex Jones is flipping out after Trump said he got the booster: “Hell, we’re fighting Bill Gates and Fauci and Biden and the New World Order and Psaki and the Davos Group .. and now we’ve got Trump on their team!” pic.twitter.com/fyEfx1OcFp
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) December 21, 2021
Jones said:
“'Sign on to it. Take credit for it.' I don't believe it. Hell, we’re fighting Bill Gates and Fauci and Biden and the New World Order and Psaki and the Davos Group .. and now we’ve got Trump on their team!”
Some were happy to see the conservative infighting.
They’ve turned on him and I’m loving it https://t.co/wIS1HMfkUo
— magda.boyo (@Xalapalynn) December 21, 2021
...I'm gonna make this my new ringtone! 🤪 https://t.co/AZpqPXRFD7
— Mark Vang | 😷 💉 (@chmod777Mark) December 21, 2021
How much are we loving this meltdown, gang? https://t.co/LvhIYf3QNj
— GET OUT OF MY WAY! 📣🐺 (@Get0ut0fMyWay) December 21, 2021
Delicious. https://t.co/lQkYAWfeOc
— Woke Senator (@WokeMitt) December 21, 2021
This is like that rare footage of teammates fighting each other at practice. 🍿🍿🍿 https://t.co/jvaOcA2Cos
— 🦥 Chris Kiraly (@ckiraly) December 21, 2021
Good. https://t.co/K4DxD93mkp
— Puppies Resisting in a Red State.Wear your MASK.🐶 (@gaj724) December 21, 2021
Others think Trump has lost control of his more radical devotees.
They will always try to out crazy each other..
The last standing craziest one wins…. https://t.co/VyI524Jsks
— Steve 2.0 🌊 🌊 🌊🌊🌊.. # vote blue. #FBR (@Steve77336147) December 21, 2021
Trump created a monster he cannot control. https://t.co/lDNMwy0hiV
— Liam McBaen #Persist #NoToFascists (@LiamMcBaen) December 21, 2021
Trump’s cult is moving beyond him now. He is losing control of his crazies. pic.twitter.com/u3lEdpRWv5
— David Yankovich (@DavidYankovich) December 21, 2021
Yikes.