'You gotta say it': Trump goes after the 'gutless' politicians who withhold their booster status


Former President Donald Trump doesn't think very highly of politicians who refuse to admit they've received a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, it seems.
During an interview with the far-right One America News Network that aired Tuesday, Trump described politicos who dodge questions about their booster status as "gutless," Mediaite reports.
When asked by OAN host Dan Ball if he has reconsidered his recent positive vaccine rhetoric, as well his "view on the vaccine in general," Trump replied, "Well, I've taken it."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I've had the booster," he said. "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," Trump went on. "Say it. But the fact is that I think the vaccine has saved tens of millions throughout the world. I have had absolutely no side effects."
The ex-president also noted those who have received the vaccine are less likely to be hospitalized or die from the virus.
"If they get it, they're not going to hospitals for the most part and dying," he said. "Before it was a horror, and now they're not." The president did, however, say he doesn't think "young, healthy people" should get the shot.
Trump's politician remarks may have also been directed at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), writes NBC News , who is sometimes viewed as a "Trump 2.0," and considered a possible presidential contender for 2024. DeSantis has so far refused to directly answer questions about his booster status, per NBC News.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
June 14 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include Donald's 30 dolls, a Flag Day fail and a MAGA Mayflower
-
5 jackbooted cartoons about L.A.'s anti-ICE protests
Cartoons Artists take on National Guard deployment, the failure of due process, and more
-
Some of the best music and singing holidays in 2025
The Week Recommends From singing lessons in the Peak District to two-week courses at Chetham's Piano Summer School
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
'Postal commemoration is especially befitting'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Is Trump's military parade 'just a parade'?
Talking Point Critics see an 'echo of authoritarianism'
-
Wall Street has coined a new term for Trump's tariff threats
Feature TACO stands for 'Trump Always Chickens Out'
-
Trump's LA immigration showdown casts shadow over upcoming World Cup
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Amid a massive anti-immigrant detention push, analysts have begun to worry about the United States' plan to host one of the world's biggest athletic events
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Why is ABC's firing of Terry Moran roiling journalists?
Today's Big Question After the network dropped a longtime broadcaster for calling Donald Trump and Stephen Miller 'world-class' haters, some journalists are calling the move chilling
-
'The attack doesn't need to be so blunt'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day