For the past two years, far-right members of Congress have repeatedly promoted disinformation and dismissals of a virus that's killed more than 800 thousand Americans. In keeping with that, they've subsequently supported skepticism of the lifesaving vaccines, which have proven to minimize the spread and severity of COVID-19.
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 vaccine mandates were even supported by the likes of George Washington himself and are still in effect for school-aged children, Republican politicians have politicized these mandates, presenting them not as an imperative for moving past the pandemic, but as an exercise in government control.
Right-wing Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado is among their ranks.
On Wednesday, Boebert attempted to make a joke about Democrats verifying Santa Claus' vaccination status before letting him down the chimney on Christmas.
Are Democrat families checking Santa's vaccination records before letting him down their chimney this year?
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) December 22, 2021
Boebert's attempt at a joke fell flat with social media users.
Lauren's trying hard to win "Stupidest Tweet of the Year" before 2021 ends... https://t.co/semHSsatHu
— Sam Litzinger (@SamLitzinger) December 22, 2021
This dummy really thought she did something here...😂😂😂 #LaurenBoebertIsSoDumb https://t.co/KmQnyaot5u
— Thee Ms.Bridget💯🌊 (@UREKA45) December 22, 2021
Are all Republican families gonna shoot Santa with their AR 15s because they had to shoot the intruder? https://t.co/RmL8x1Pww2
— The Fan 3.0 #D4L 🌰 ❄HI❄ 🌰 (@CWGCLEBuckeyes) December 22, 2021
Geez louise, I'm suddenly worried if Rudolph and Prancer and Blitzen are sick and can't get treatment cuz the ivermectin supplies are low. https://t.co/ufbM3wZ2UL
— 🎄Mr. Warren Hayes🎅🎁 (@MrWarrenHayes) December 22, 2021
This is where we are, folks.
😑 https://t.co/JEWbvza2a6
— Henry Thee Fabulous 🐝sh (@COHeauxmo) December 22, 2021
Folks, this is what you’re paying $174k/year for. https://t.co/pQJtXZO55x
— Robert Broder (@rkbroder) December 22, 2021
Others responded with answers.
1. I wish I didn't have to ask but, she knows he's not *real* right?
2. If he were real, he goes in the living room, places presents and leaves. Social distancing isn't an issue here.
3. Santa cares about others & has the risk factor of obesity, so I'm sure he'd be vaxxed. https://t.co/LMBvEGJfF2
— Jeremy, War on Christmas Veteran (@jayinlincoln) December 22, 2021
trick question, santa would never knowingly endanger children and is probably boostered as well as had elves to make him the perfect face mask to avoid transmission 😌🎅🏼 https://t.co/yhc9x0Tkh7
— issie ✩ (@fortISSIEmo) December 22, 2021
Lady, Santa is a socialist. Of course he's been vaccinated. https://t.co/iEMP3iCnPV
— Tanya Rupa (@ScifiSpirit) December 22, 2021
Awkward.
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