President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind getting a COVID-19 vaccine, a step the former commander-in-chief had not yet taken as bipartisan calls for him to do so grew louder in recent days.
"I would recommend it," Trump said. "I would recommend it to a lot of people that don’t want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly. We have our freedoms and we have to live by that and I agree with that also."
Trump made the comments Tuesday in an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo.
"It’s a great vaccine, it’s a safe vaccine and it’s something that works," he added.
Last week, the former president released a short statement on his role in the vaccine development process, a sentiment he echoed in Tuesday’s interview. But the 2024 Republican frontrunner had, so far, resisted calls to publicly promote the importance of getting the vaccine.
Pressure on Trump had amplified with polls consistently showing reluctance to get the vaccine highest among Republican men.
A recent PBS NewsHour/Marist/NPR survey showed 49% of male GOP voters, 47% of Trump supporters and 41% of Republicans overall would not be getting the COVID-19 vaccine once they were eligible.
Trump’s influence will certainly impact the break along party lines.
The nation’s leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, jumped in the fray over the weekend, saying it would be "a game changer" if Trump used his "incredible influence" to push Republicans to get their shots.
Both the former president and the former first lady, Melania Trump, have gotten the vaccine. Both contracted the coronavirus last year.
Related
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram