Gavin Newsom slams Tucker Carlson, other conservatives over vaccine misinformation
California Gov. Gavin Newsom called out right-wing provocateur Tucker Carlson during his Monday morning press conference, accusing the Fox News host and other prominent conservatives of spreading vaccine misinformation.
“We are exhausted, respectfully, exhausted by the ideological prism that too many Americans are living under. We’re exhausted by the (Wisconsin Sen.) Ron Johnsons and the Tucker Carlsons. We’re exhausted by the (Georgia Rep.) Marjorie Taylor Greenes, we’re exhausted by the right-wing echo chamber that has been perpetuating misinformation around the vaccine and its efficacy and safety,” Newsom said.
“We’re exhausted by the politicalization of this pandemic, and that includes mask-wearing that has been equated to the Holocaust. It’s disgraceful, it’s unconscionable, and it needs to be called out.”
He remarked on Carlson and the Republican leaders at a press conference where he announced a new requirement that health care workers and state employees must present proof of vaccination or else wear masks and submit to regular COVID-19 testing.
The Democratic governor voiced frustration with people who have refused to get the vaccine, which he said was the best way to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
“It’s a choice to live with this virus, and with all due respect, you don’t have a choice to go out and drink and drive and put everybody else’s lives at risk. That’s the equivalent of this moment with the deadliness and efficiency of the Delta virus,” he said. “You’re putting other people’s, innocent people’s lives at risk. You’re putting businesses at risk. You’re putting at risk the ability to educate our kids by getting them back in-person full time for in-person instruction.”
Newsom pointed out that some of the vaccine’s loudest critics work for employers, like Fox News, that have implemented vaccine passport programs that people like Carlson criticize publicly.
“That’s a hell of a thing,” Newsom said.
Reached for comment, a Fox News representative pointed to recent examples of network personalities promoting the vaccine, as well as a recently released vaccine public service announcement and the launch of a vaccine finder tool on the company’s website.
Following Newsom’s Monday morning remarks, Rep. Greene shot back on Twitter, writing, “@GavinNewsom you know what is exhausting to the people of California? Your communist dictatorship. Shutting down businesses, closing churches, schools, and beaches is disgraceful. Mandating vaccines against people’s will is unconscionable. Which is why you’re being recalled.”
In response, Newsom tweeted, “Disgraceful? Here’s a word — murderous. Your anti-vaccine lies are literally killing Americans. Your own supporters are following you off a cliff and into the ICU. Come clean about vaccines — they save lives.”
This story was originally published July 26, 2021 at 12:09 PM.