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Trump Hits A New Low By Claiming Vaccine Booster Shots Are Just A 'Money-Making Operation'
Former President Donald Trump has often attempted to take credit for the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination campaign in the United States.
But Trump has consistently chosen politics over science, regularly deriding President Joe Biden and his administration while continuing to downplay the pandemic's severity.
Now, as the White House announced that most Americans will need Covid-19 booster shots eight months after their initial vaccination, the former President is claiming that vaccine booster shots are nothing more than a "money-making operation."
Trump made the claim during an August 18 appearance on Fox Business seen below.
Trump, after lauding coronavirus vaccines in a Fox interview, says the booster shot plan "sounds to me like a money-making operation for Pfizer."pic.twitter.com/Naz2MZhHGJ— Andrew Solender (@Andrew Solender) 1629305013
Speaking to host Maria Bartiromo, Trump opined:
"That sounds to me like a money-making operation from Pfizer. Think of the money involved. A booster shot, that's tens of billions of dollars."
"How good of a business is that? If you're a businessman, you say, 'You know what? Let's give them another shot.'"
"You wouldn't think you would need a booster. When these first came out, they were good for life. Then they were good for a year or two."
"And I could see the writing on the wall, you could see the dollar signs in their eyes."
Trump's claim is incorrect.
The decision to announce the necessity for booster shots was based on evolving data that shows signs of waning immunity over time.
These developments mean that fully vaccinated individuals might become more susceptible to mild and moderate disease.
A group of eight officials, including infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky stressed this in an official statement:
"Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout."
"For that reason, we conclude that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability."
Beginning September 20, booster shots will be available for people who are eight months out from their last shot. Home residents, health care workers and emergency respondents will likely be initially prioritized.
Those who've received Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine will also likely need boosters, but officials are awaiting more data in the next few weeks before making a formal recommendation.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to fully approve Pfizer's vaccine for distribution in the coming month, likely before the official deadline, which is Labor Day.
Social media users criticized Trump for spreading conspiracy theories and wanting the pandemic to "go on, indefinitely."
When a guy who was president of the United States has a mindset on par with your run of the mill social media conspiracy theorist.https://twitter.com/AndrewSolender/status/1428034847646363653\u00a0\u2026— franklin Brown (@franklin Brown) 1629309239
If Trump, who would steal the pennies on a dead man's eyes, had gone on the Fox anti-vaccine channel and encouraged the cult to get #vaccinated when they became available, we may not need a Pfizer and Moderna booster shot, so STFU.https://twitter.com/AndrewSolender/status/1428034847646363653\u00a0\u2026— \ud83c\udd32\ud83c\udd38\ud83c\udd3d\ud83c\udd33\ud83c\udd48 (@\ud83c\udd32\ud83c\udd38\ud83c\udd3d\ud83c\udd33\ud83c\udd48) 1629306916
Trump would have this pandemic go on, indefinitely.https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1428013581669478403\u00a0\u2026— Jim M. Wilson (@Jim M. Wilson) 1629309131
Others pointed out Trump would have a different opinion if he had a spot at the table.
While in office he and his family and cronies repeatedly came under fire from ethics watchdog groups who cited evidence of them enriching themselves on the taxpayer's dime.
He\u2019s just pissy that he isn\u2019t getting a cut.https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1428013581669478403\u00a0\u2026— Swede Duck (@Swede Duck) 1629305811
The flimflam artist who turned his presidency into a money-making operation for his family and friends thinks the #COVID booster shot plan is a scam.https://twitter.com/AndrewSolender/status/1428034847646363653\u00a0\u2026— Indy Auntie (@Indy Auntie) 1629312844
Meanwhile, still more people pointed out Trump would likely be among the first to get a booster shot the moment they become widely available.
Trump and his wife Melania were vaccinated in secret even as the ex-President continued to downplay the pandemic's severity.
You can bet your ass, trump will be first in linehttps://twitter.com/AndrewSolender/status/1428034847646363653\u00a0\u2026— joseph frisina\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@joseph frisina\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1629309461
Remember folks, that the dopey mutt that was our former President will be one of the first to get a booster shot.https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1428013581669478403\u00a0\u2026— Brian (@Brian) 1629303192
You know homeboy will be first in line for his booster shothttps://twitter.com/andrewsolender/status/1428034847646363653\u00a0\u2026— Katie Johnson (@Katie Johnson) 1629309091
Trump has in the past claimed his administration deserved full credit for vaccine development and distribution.
While in office, Trump announced Operation Warp Speed, the partnership initiated by the federal government to facilitate and accelerate the development, manufacturing and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines and medical treatments.
However, Pfizer has not acknowledged Operation Warp Speed. It says it did not work with the Trump administration to develop its Covid-19 vaccine.
Moderna, on the other hand, has confirmed it received funds from the federal government to develop its vaccine.