--- title: "Trump Admits That He Can’t Mention the COVID Vaccine in Front of His Followers" description: "Ex-President and extremely sore loser Donald Trump had some interesting words to say — or well, not say — about the COVID-19 vaccine." date: "2022-07-11" modified: "2022-07-11" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/trump-admits-covid-vaccine" categories: - "Developments" - "Health & Medicine" tags: - "covid-19" - "donald trump" - "elections" - "trump administration" --- # Trump Admits That He Can’t Mention the COVID Vaccine in Front of His Followers ![Ex-President and extremely sore loser Donald Trump had some interesting words to say — or well, not say — about the COVID-19 vaccine.]() *\Image: Sean Rayford/Getty Images\* Ex-President and [extremely sore loser]() Donald Trump had some words to say — or well, not say — about the COVID-19 vaccine. At a [Saturday rally]() in Anchorage, Alaska, the reality television star attempted to take credit for his role in coronavirus vaccine development — without actually saying "vaccine," due to his own admission that his many of his own supporters [really, really aren't into]() the lifesaving innovation. "We did so much in terms of therapeutics and a word I'm not allowed to mention. But I'm still proud of that word," [said the former President](). "We did that in nine months, when it was supposed to take 5 years to 12 years. But I'm not mentioning it in front of my people." The rally in question was for [anti-vax US house candidate Sarah Palin]() — [remember her]()? — and US senate contender Kelly Tshibaka, both of whom have opposed efforts to encourage vaccination. "We don’t have kings, but you would never know it from the amount of power Joe Biden assumes for himself," read an [unironic statement by Tshibaka](), issued late last year in response to the Biden administration's [failed attempt]() at a test-or-vaccine mandate for large employers. "This mandate is unconstitutional and un-American." Trump seems to rarely be at odds with his base, though the vaccine has proven to be a contentious exception. While onstage last year in Dallas with [disgraced]() *Fox News* host Bill O'Reilly, both [figures were booed]() — and not because they were Donald Trump and Bill O'Reilly, but because they said that they'd each gotten booster shots. Now, it looks like Trump wants to have his cake and eat it too — without being *too* specific about said cake, that is. "So totally give me credit for that thing I did that I can't mention that you refuse to take and don't want mandated that other people take that you make fun of in airports and Cheesecake Factory restaurants," mused one [saucy tweet](), in response to Saturday's comments. "Did I miss anything?" And like... sure. Yes. It's true that Trump was president when the vaccine was invented, and his [funding for Operation Warp Speed]() may well have produced a vaccine sooner than was otherwise expected and helped distribute it effectively. At the same time, the Trump administration also did things like, say, [actively suppress]() the CDC's coronavirus testing efforts, [spread bizarre misinformation](), and contribute to the [COVID-related rise]() of anti-AAPI [hate, vitriol, and violence]() — hatred that, in some cases, [was deadly](). But in light of Trump's support for the vaccine's development, his supporters' distrust of the vaccine is a grim irony. Still, the president seems to think he did a real bang-up job with the pandemic response — and that one day, the anti-vaxxers will see the light. "Someday, \[my anti-vax supporters and I\] are going to have to all sit-down and have a little talk," he continued at the Anchorage event. "But you know what? We did a hell of a job." **More on hurt Trump feelings:** [*Donald Trump Is Absolutely Furious That Elon Musk Lied to Him*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()