Former President Donald Trump explained why he revealed his vaccination status in a handwritten letter.
During Trump’s “History Tour” event with former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, they shared their vaccination status.
“Both the president and I are vaxxed,” O’Reilly said.
He asked Trump, “Did you get the booster?”
The former president replied, “Yes.”
O’Reilly also confirmed he got the booster. Trump urged audience members not to boo after telling them his vaccination status.
The New York Times’s Maggie Haberman reacted to the moment on Twitter.
“Interesting moment particularly as some around Trump are now mocking the booster campaign,” she tweeted.
Interesting moment particularly as some around Trump are now mocking the booster campaign https://t.co/aCIYh9ihHJ
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) December 20, 2021
Haberman then shared a handwritten letter she received from the former president.
“Must tell the truth – And very proud to have produced the 3 vaccines so quickly – millions of lives saved worldwide,” Trump wrote.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) December 20, 2021
During an August rally in Cullman, Alabama, Trump was met with boos after telling his supporters they should get the vaccine.
“And you know what? I believe totally in your freedoms. I do. You’ve got to do what you have to do,” Trump said. “But, I recommend: take the vaccines. I did it. It’s good. Take the vaccines.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci praised Trump for publicizing his vaccination status.
“I’m very pleased that he did say that and come out publicly and say that he has been vaccinated and boosted,” Fauci said.
He added, “But to get booed for saying that just tells you about the extraordinary divisiveness we have going into this public health issue, which should be devoid of divisiveness. It should just be focusing on what the public health principles are.”
During a September interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump indicated he would not be getting boosted.
“I feel like I’m in good shape from that standpoint – I probably won’t,” Trump said. “I’ll look at stuff later on. I’m not against it, but it’s probably not for me.”
