Trump divides conservatives with ‘gutless’ jab on boosters as Ann Coulter lashes out
In an apparent dig at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the former president comes out in support of boosters and Ann Coulter calls him ‘a liar’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has called politicians who refuse to say whether they’ve had a Covid-19 booster shot “gutless” – and he appeared to be referring to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has dodged questions on if he has taken up the latest coronavirus shot.
Speaking on conservative One America News Network, the former president said “You gotta say it. Whether you had it or not, say it.”
Conservative commentator Ann Coulter lashed out at Mr Trump in defence of Mr DeSantis on Twitter.
“Trump is demanding to know Ron DeSantis’s booster status, and I can now reveal it. He was a loyal booster when Trump ran in 2016, but then he learned our president was a liar and con man whose grift was permanent. I hope that clears things up,” she wrote on Twitter.
Mr Trump has been vocal on his vaccination status and recently said he had taken his booster jab. He has also supported the vaccines’ efficacy and safety.
Trump news – live: Oath Keepers founder charged with ‘seditious conspiracy’ to storm Capitol on January 6
Lindsay Graham blasted as ‘pathetic and soulless’ as he attacks colleagues who don’t love Trump 
Psaki calls criticism of Biden’s voting rights speech ‘hilarious’ after GOP was ‘silent’ about Trump rhetoric OLD
Vaccines have remained unpopular with Republican supporters, who booed Mr Trump last month for announcing his vaccine booster status. And vocal conservative politicians, including Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert and Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have refused the shot and have – to the condemnation of Jewish groups – likened vaccine mandates to Nazi Germany.
Ms Boebert previously described those going door to door to persuade people to be vaccinated as “needle Nazis,” while Ms Taylor Green said: “People have a choice, they don’t need your medical brown shirts showing up at their door ordering vaccinations. You can’t force people to be part of the human experiment.”
“Well, I’ve taken it. I’ve had the booster,” Mr Trump said on the Tuesday night news show. “I watched a couple of politicians be interviewed and one of the questions was, ‘Did you get the booster?’ … the answer is ‘Yes,’ but they don’t want to say it. Because they’re gutless.”
Mr DeSantis has been rumoured as a possible 2024 presidential candidate, and he could potentially be competition for Mr Trump if the former president were to run again in two years’ time.
“I’ve done whatever I did, the normal shot. And, you know, that, at the end of the day, is people’s individual decisions about what they want to do,” Mr DeSantis told Fox News last month.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments