Former president Donald Trump on Tuesday ripped into politicians who refuse to say if they've received a COVID-19 booster shot — a group that notably includes Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis.
"I've had the booster," Trump told One America News Network in an interview. "Many politicians, I watched a couple of politicians be interviewed and one of the questions was, 'Did you get the booster?' Because they had the vaccine, and they're answering like — in other words, the answer is 'yes,' but they don't want to say it, because they're gutless. You gotta say it, whether you had it or not, say it."
Trump's recent statements in support of COVID-19 vaccines have prompted some of his supporters to turn on him.
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DeSantis, a potential GOP presidential candidate in 2024, has been far less enthusiastic about promoting vaccines.
DeSantis reportedly received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine last spring. In December, during an interview on the Fox News Channel, DeSantis was asked whether he had gotten a booster.
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"I've done whatever I did, the normal shot, and that at the end of the day is people's individual decisions about what they want to do," DeSantis responded.
Last week, Politico asked DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw whether he had received a booster.
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"I am not privy to the governor's private medical decisions and am unable to share information about his booster status," Pushaw responded. "Governor DeSantis has consistently said that vaccination (and by extension, boosters) should be a personal choice, and anyone who has questions or concerns should consult with a healthcare provider."
Watch below.
TRUMP says “I've had the booster,” and says he’s seen politicians asked the same, but dodge.
— Tim Hogan (@timjhogan) January 12, 2022
“The answer is yes, but they don't want to say it. Because they're gutless… Whether you had it or not. Say it.”
"The vaccine has saved tens of millions of people throughout the world." pic.twitter.com/LgFHT6l180
Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo: “Have you gotten the booster?”
— The Recount (@therecount) December 19, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL): "So, uh, I've done, whatever I did. The normal shot. And that at the end of the day is peoples' individual decisions about what they want to do." pic.twitter.com/AJ6XF8UN5V
