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Social media exploded after a clip of CNN anchor Anderson Cooper appearing to suggest that the vaccine-hesitant could be denied Social Security was posted on Christmas Eve and drew a fierce response from Twitter users worried about the lengths to which the government might go to enforce compliance.
But don’t be mad. He didn’t really mean what he said as an endorsement. Outlets like AP have jumped to lib-splain his question as “only a question.” Thanks for clearing that up, guys!
The clip was from an August 4 interview with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, a man who has championed vaccines and has been a regular presence on television since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic and who, like Dr. Anthony Fauci, relishes serving up doomsday predictions about the virus.
During the interview on “Anderson Cooper 360,” the host and Gates discussed a variety of topics including the billionaire’s relationship with deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in his cell in a high-security prison where he was awaiting trial, and the conversation turned to the problem of coercing the unvaxxed into obedience.
While Cooper did not explicitly call for such a severe measure, many believed that he at least floated the idea which clearly delighted the snickering Gates.
(Video: CNN)
Cooper’s remarks were made after Gates spoke of the “communications challenge” of convincing the vaccine-hesitant – particularly the elderly – to get jabbed, and what measures could be used to move the needle.
Via the CNN transcript:
“Obviously, corporations increasingly are saying you have to be vaccinated in order to work at our corporation. Is that something you support? And do you think the Federal government or state governments, or the very least Federal government should mandate, if you want to get on an airplane, you have to be vaccinated; if you want to get Social Security, you need to be vaccinated; if you want to get whatever benefits they give, you need to be vaccinated for. Is that something that the U.S. can and should do?”
With Anderson Cooper trending on Twitter, the “fact-checkers” flew into action to circle the wagons around CNN’s star anchor.
Anderson Cooper hasn’t said he supports withholding social security benefits from the unvaccinated, contrary to false claims online. The CNN anchor asked Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates his opinion on the hypothetical enforcement measure in an interview. https://t.co/RZHOXjrta5
— AP Fact Check (@APFactCheck) December 29, 2021
Portions of an Aug. 4, 2021, CNN interview between Anderson Cooper and Bill Gates have been misrepresented online, with some social media users claiming that Cooper said he wanted to remove social security benefits from the unvaccinated https://t.co/18UzOsw0zJ
— Reuters Fact Check (@ReutersFacts) December 28, 2021
Twitter users reacted to the “fact-checkers”
Many of these COVID-related “fact-checks” have been LMAO absurd, but this one is particularly ludicrous…
Anderson Cooper was NOT quoting someone else who was in favor of this ludicrous proposal! He was clearly mentioning it because he thought it was reasonable & Gates loved it!
— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) December 29, 2021
I can see and hear exactly what he said. What are you implying was misrepresented???
— Bonnie Clark (@bonnieclark) December 28, 2021
Watch the video, how is what he said misrepresented. @AC360 point blank said should the government withhold social security from unvaccinated. If that’s the case then payroll deductions need to become option because newsflash Anderson – SS is money we paid in. GFY
— Seriously Dog (@SrslyDog) December 29, 2021
Why was Mr Gates laughing? Unpack that please.
— Teressa Raiford (@TeressaLRaiford) December 29, 2021
Thank God the fact checkers are here to tell us what we heard is wrong.
— Jake – Bitcoin is 👑 (@jake_pauk) December 29, 2021
Anderson Cooper suggested it by asking it. Planting the seed to see how people respond to the idea.
— Not Problematic, Just Honest (@ThursdayGem) December 29, 2021
Another of Cooper’s suggestions can’t simply be labeled as a conspiracy theory, the idea that vaccines could be mandated for air travel could soon become reality, just take it from an authoritative source who is above reproach when it comes to COVID and the authoritarianism that it has unleashed.
NEW: Fauci says he supports vaccine mandates for airline passengers: "Anything to get more people vaccinated is welcome.."
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 26, 2021
Cooper’s fellow CNN employee Don Lemon has called for the unvaccinated to be banned from shopping at supermarkets, one of the many leftists and media personalities who have been clamoring for the noncompliant to have their ability to participate in society stripped from them. So it’s understandable that many would react strongly to Cooper floating the idea that their Social Security could be clawed back.
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Chris Donaldson is an ordinary American who is concerned about rampant corruption as well as the ongoing attacks on our way of life by those who have contempt for our hard-earned freedoms. A Navy veteran, he has been a frequent contributor to conservative websites and resides in Florida.
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