Let’s stipulate something before we dive into this post so that there is no misunderstanding: the rise of the anti-vax movement did not begin with Donald Trump’s foray into American politics. It’s been around since well before 2016, slowly but surely gaining momentum among a strange combination of West Coast liberal elites and a certain portion of conservatives.

Okay cool. It hardened and became mainstream during Trump’s administration directly because of Trump. If he were actually looking out for our country’s national security and the health and safety of our people, he’d have gotten vaccinated for COVID on national TV, instead of in secret and never admitting it.