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RIGHT WING
Former U.S. President Donald Trump was never concerned with COVID-19 — he often chose to wave away the virus' name completely, resorting to racist nicknames such as "Kung Flu" and "Chinese Virus." He also insisted the virus was nothing more than the flu, and strict lockdowns and masking requirements were unnecessary. This influenced Americans across the country who supported Trump, inspiring them to protest COVID safety regulations.
An anti-mask protester holds up a sign that reads "My Body, My Choice" at the Texas State Capitol on April 18, 2020 in Austin. (Sergio Flores/Getty Images)
Conservative Fox News Host Tucker Carlson spreads doubt about the COVID-19 vaccine during a December episode of his show. (Tucker Carlson/Fox News)
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A political article from the Washington Post blames Trump for igniting the spike in COVID-19 cases (Yasmeen Abutaleb/The Washington Post)
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Trump downplays the severity of COVID-19, saying democrats are blowing it out of proportion in a "new hoax," according to an NBC article. (Lauren Egan/NBC News)
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A Texas Tribune article reports that Greg Abbott, the starkly conservative governor of Texas, does little to combat COVID-19. (Patrick Svitek/Texas Tribune)
Trump supporters protest COVID-19 protocols with signs suggesting that the pandemic was set up by democrats and people should ignore the media, echoing Trump's sentiments. (AP News)
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A Politico article discusses the larger political picture and cultural shift that stemmed from Trump's minimal response and statements of false information during the pandemic. (Meredith McGraw and Sam Stein/Politico)
Trump supporters storm the Capitol in Washington D.C. on January 6 in protest of Biden's win, stemming from the politicization of COVID-19, as well as other social justice issues. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)