The conservative Fox News network has been repeatedly criticized for promoting skepticism and disinformation regarding the lifesaving vaccines that have been proven safe and effective at slowing the spread of COVID-19.
On Monday, news broke that Republican former Secretary of State Colin Powell died from complications with COVID-19. Though Powell was fully vaccinated, he had multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that decimated his immune system, greatly diminishing the effectiveness of the vaccine's antibodies.
Nevertheless, Fox News host and reporter John Roberts emphasized Powell's vaccination status, suggesting his death was a reason to doubt the effectiveness of the vaccines.
In a now-deleted tweet, Roberts wrote:
"The fact that Colin Powell died from a breakthrough COVID infection raises new concerns about how effective vaccines are long-term."
The anchor was inundated with backlash, mostly from social media users noting the severity of Powell's preexisting condition and criticizing Roberts for not including that crucial context.
Roberts later backtracked in a subsequent Twitter thread.
I deleted my tweet about the tragic death of Colin Powell because many people interpreted it as anti-vax. It was not. I was excited to get vaccinated, hoping it would help speed a return to 'normal life'. I also did a PSA on Fox encouraging vaccination for those able....— John Roberts (@John Roberts) 1634568416
As we all know, the FDA is now recommending boosters for certain people, and I personally know a number of people who have had breakthrough infections - some of them, quite troubling. Yes, Powell had myeloma, but I was still stunned to hear of his passing from COVID....
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 18, 2021
..we live in the same town, and we would occasionally run into each at the local sandwich shop. His death is a loss for our community and our country.
I plan to get a booster as soon as possible.
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 18, 2021
Roberts insisted that his tweet wasn't "anti-vax," and that he publicly encouraged Americans everywhere to get vaccinated, including with booster shots, if eligible. He also further eulogized Powell, calling his death "a loss for our community and our country."
But people were still incensed by the original tweet.
John Roberts did exactly what he intended to do for Fox News : claiming efficacy of vaccines aren\u2019t good since Colin Powell has passed.https://twitter.com/johnrobertsfox/status/1450111159131123721\u00a0\u2026— Outspoken (@Outspoken) 1634569517
This walk-back doesn't undo the message a targeted audience initially saw.https://twitter.com/johnrobertsFox/status/1450111159131123721\u00a0\u2026— Reggie Cecchini (@Reggie Cecchini) 1634585408
He deleted his dumb tweet but doesn't acknowledge what was misleading about it to begin with. This is what passes for accountability over there.https://twitter.com/johnrobertsFox/status/1450111159131123721\u00a0\u2026— Christopher Ingraham (@Christopher Ingraham) 1634569516
You tried to do a Tucker but lacked the gusto to pull it off.https://twitter.com/johnrobertsfox/status/1450111159131123721\u00a0\u2026— Nick Francona (@Nick Francona) 1634570857
I have never seen such back-pedaling, so quickly and so ineffectively as @johnrobertsFoxhttps://twitter.com/johnrobertsFox/status/1450111159131123721\u00a0\u2026— Ron Stor (@Ron Stor) 1634573254
Words matter as you just found outhttps://twitter.com/johnrobertsfox/status/1450111159131123721\u00a0\u2026— Darla Jackson (@Darla Jackson) 1634573904
Meanwhile, conservatives were enraged that Roberts didn't double down on his misleading tweet.
Fox\u2019s lefty bosses spanked John for his honest tweet.https://twitter.com/johnrobertsfox/status/1450111159131123721\u00a0\u2026— John Cardillo (@John Cardillo) 1634575483
Chicken.https://twitter.com/johnrobertsfox/status/1450111159131123721\u00a0\u2026— Jenna Ellis (@Jenna Ellis) 1634575192
Not good...\n\nIt's time to STOP THE CANCEL CULTURE !!! https://twitter.com/johnrobertsFox/status/1450111159131123721\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/E69xhzC36U— Dr. Mastropiero (@Dr. Mastropiero) 1634584883
Yikes.
