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Fox News host Tomi Lahren forced to delete tweet comparing lockdown to slavery: ‘Incoherent, dangerous and straight up stupid’

She sent several tweets about lockdown measures

James Crump
Tuesday 28 April 2020 16:38 BST
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Fox News hosts mock CNN anchors who’ve contracted coronavirus

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Fox News host Tomi Lahren tweeted that compliance with social distancing measures amid the coronavirus pandemic, is akin to “willful slavery.”

On Monday, the host of Fox Nation, posted a number of tweets that criticised lockdown regulations, and those who complained about protestors who called for state’s to be reopened.

In a now deleted tweet, Ms Lahren posted: “Compliance starting to look a whole lot like willful slavery #ReopenAmerica.”

She eventually deleted the tweet, but was criticised by many who saw her wording as offensive.

Conservative CNN host, SE Cupp, tweeted in response to her post: “This is so offensive.”

She added: “Not because it’s politically incorrect, but because it’s politically incoherent, dangerous, and straight up stupid.”

In recent weeks, anti-lockdown protestors have demonstrated in states, including Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan, and have called for social distancing measures to be lifted.

In further tweets on Monday, Ms Lahren continued to criticise people for reacting negatively to the protestors.

“The same people who said it was acceptable and valiant to jump turnstiles and riot in the streets over paying a subway fare are now shaming and demonizing Americans who simply want to reopen their businesses and get back to work,” she said.

“The mental gymnastics is impressive,” the host added.

Some Fox News hosts, including, Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro​ have been critical of lockdown measures put in place across the US.​

Ms Pirro has criticised the closure of churches and synagogues, and In early April, Mr Hannity told Fox News viewers that parts of the country with low levels of coronavirus cases, should be reopened.

He added: “We have to open up the economy in a way that prevents future outbreaks and immediately contains them, but also protects your civil liberties, your Constitutional rights.”

According to a tracking project hosted by Johns Hopkins University, nationally there are upwards of 989,357 people who have tested positive for coronavirus. The death toll has reached at least 56,368.

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