Chris Cuomo challenges Republican rep to denounce 'jackassery' of GOP’s vaccine message
On Cuomo Prime Time Wednesday, Chris Cuomo challenged Republican Representative Michael Burgess to denounce the anti-vaccine message being spread, along with misinformation, by many members of the GOP and right-wing pundits. Nearly all hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 are among unvaccinated people, and hotspots are popping up all over the country.
After showing a mash-up of right-wing pundits and Republican members of Congress discouraging people from getting vaccinated and spreading lies about the vaccine, Cuomo said to Burgess, “You’re okay with this kind of jackassery that has absolutely led to a deficiency among Republican people in this country taking the vaccine, and now they’re getting sick? And now we’re seeing what we see at the hospitals. And now the age is reducing and the variant is spreading. You’re okay with this?” “You’re conflating a number of things,” Burgess replied.
After some back-and-forth, Burgess finally relented and admitted that members of the GOP spreading vaccine misinformation and discouraging people from getting vaccinated are wrong.
“Don’t listen to people on political talking shows,” Burgess said. “That’s not where you should get your medical information.” “ But what about from members of Congress who say don’t take the vaccine, I don’t buy it?” Cuomo asked. “I’m telling you to take it,” Burgess said, “so buy that.” “What about people who say otherwise?” Cuomo prodded once again. “Well, they’re wrong,” Burgess finally admitted. “Take the vaccine if you’re in the age group where you could be devastated by the illness.”
Video Transcript
CHRIS CUOMO: Why don't you call out the people who are giving an opposite, ignorant, and toxic message on why not to take it?
MICHAEL BURGESS: Oh, I have discussions with people all the time. [INAUDIBLE]
CHRIS CUOMO: But say it now. Say that what I just showed you in that video is wrong for people to be doing on TV.
KYLIE MAR: On "Cuomo Prime Time" Wednesday, Chris Cuomo challenged Republican representative Michael Burgess to condemn conservatives who have been successfully spreading an antivaccine message, from right-wing pundits to fellow Republicans in Congress.
CHRIS CUOMO: You're OK with this kind of jackassery that has absolutely led to a deficiency among Republican people in this country taking the vaccine? And now they're getting sick. And now we're seeing what we see at the hospitals. And now the age is reducing.
MICHAEL BURGESS: [INAUDIBLE]
CHRIS CUOMO: And the variant is spreading. You're OK with this?
MICHAEL BURGESS: You're conflating a number of things.
KYLIE MAR: Cuomo pointed out to Burgess the unfortunate effects the GOP's messaging on the vaccine has had. And the Congressman agreed that this is the message his party should be spreading.
CHRIS CUOMO: The people who are dying, 99% are unvaccinated. You have people who are connected to--
MICHAEL BURGESS: So that is the message--
CHRIS CUOMO: --your political party that you are not speaking out against--
MICHAEL BURGESS: Sir, that is the message--
CHRIS CUOMO: --who are telling people not to take it. You're OK with that?
MICHAEL BURGESS: That is the message that people should be getting. Who is coming, showing up at the hospital sick?
KYLIE MAR: And Burgess finally relented and said flat out that antivaxxers in the GOP are wrong.
CHRIS CUOMO: What about from members of Congress who say, don't take the vaccine. I don't buy it.
MICHAEL BURGESS: I'm telling you to take it, so buy that.
CHRIS CUOMO: What about the people who say otherwise?
MICHAEL BURGESS: Well, they're wrong. Take the vaccine if you're in the age group where you could--
CHRIS CUOMO: I'm with you.
MICHAEL BURGESS: --be devastated by the illness.
