Fox News host Neil Cavuto warned viewers that hydroxychloroquine “will kill you” after Donald Trump’s surprise announcement that he was taking the unproven drug to prevent Covid-19 infection.
Mr Cavuto, who appeared stunned at the US president’s decision, said he was not making a “political point, but a life-and-death point”.
“If you are in a risky population here, and you are taking this as a preventative treatment ... it will kill you. I cannot stress enough. This will kill you,” said the Fox News host.
Mr Trump said on Monday that he was taking hydroxychloroquine pills in an attempt to prevent infection, despite the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning against the use of hydroxychloroquine outside hospitals or research settings due to the risk of heart rhythm problems.
With FDA advice and other medical studies to hand, Mr Cavuto spent more than two minutes denouncing Mr Trump’s claim on Monday that “a lot of good things have come out about the hydroxy”.
The Fox News host read from studies that showed elderly Americans had died during hydroxychloroquine use. Mr Trump is 73.
He continued: “This is a leap that should not be taken casually by those watching at home who assume the president of the United States says it’s okay”.
Mr Trump commented afterwards that “Fox News is no longer the same. We miss the great Roger Ailes. You have more anti-Trump people, by far, than ever before. Looking for a new outlet!”
