Trump Tells Crowd To Get Vaccines During Weekend Rally

During an Alabama rally Saturday, former President Donald Trump recommended the crowd to get vaccines. Not everybody liked what they heard. Still, Trump clarified that “your freedoms” come first. 

RELATED: Trump Urges Supporters to Get A COVID-19 Vaccine

Trump Told Crowd to Get Vaccines During Alabama Rally

Last Saturday, Trump showed up for a rally at Cullman, Alabama. He recommended supporters get vaccines. “And you know what? I believe totally in your freedoms. I do. You've got to do what you have to do. But I recommend taking the vaccines. I did it. It's good. Take the vaccines.”

As a result, some attendees booed the suggestion. However, Trump was quick to clarify his recommendation. “No, that's OK. That's all right. You got your freedoms. But I happened to take the vaccine.

If it doesn't work, you'll be the first to know. OK? I'll call up Alabama, I'll say, hey, you know what? But [the vaccine] is working. But you do have the freedoms you have to keep. You have to maintain that,” he added. 

Alabama Among States With COVID-19 Surge

Many states largely ignored the federal government’s call for Americans to get vaccines against COVID-19. The issue of vaccination, especially one with only an Emergency Use Authorization, remains a thorny issue among many Americans.

This is especially true in states such as Alabama, which are experiencing COVID-19 surges in recent weeks.  

In particular, Alabama is currently experiencing increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases. Last Thursday, the state registered 3,799 new cases. In contrast, daily cases averaged in the hundreds in June this year.

Alabama has the lowest vaccination rate among the states, Only 36% of the population received full vaccination. Republican Governor Kay Ivey said that “unvaccinated folks” are mainly the ones causing the resurgence in the state. 

US South Posts Surges in COVID-19 Cases

Large areas in the Southern United States are reporting increasing COVID-19 cases. The highly infectious Delta variant helped drive up numbers as some areas largely ignored calls for wearing masks and getting vaccines.

Cullman, the host city for Saturday’s rally, is an example. The city is currently reporting increased cases, matching its previous high last December. Last Thursday, Cullman declared a state of emergency due to the virus.

A vaccine survey published by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that a large group of Republican voters oppose COVID-19 vaccines. Even as 57% of Republicans already completed one-shot, 40% declared they won't get vaccines or will wait it out. Outside of uninsured Americans under 65 years, this group is the largest among 23 demographics. 

Trump Endorses Vaccinations

Meanwhile, Trump previously made it known he took COVID vaccines. The former president got diagnosed with COVID-19 late last year during his term. Even as he recommended Americans to get the vaccines, he always matched his recommendation with a caveat that freedom comes first. 

Last week, in an interview on Fox Business, Trump also recommended Americans get vaccines. However, he also said that booster shots after completing the vaccination are a “money-making operation” for Pfizer.

Pfizer is one of the manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines used in the US.  In addition, the pharmaceutical company is not part of the firms that partnered with the US government for Operation Warp Speed. 

Watch the MSNBC video reporting that Trump booed for telling the Alabama crowd to get Covid vaccine:

Do you agree with President Donald Trump that Americans should get vaccines as soon as they can? Or, would you rather place emphasis on what Trump said that freedoms come first?

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