The far-right has introduced a host of deranged conspiracy theories regarding the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines, which have proven to be safe and effective at slowing the spread of the virus that's killed over 700 thousand Americans.
From elected officials to private citizens at city council meetings, conspiracy theorists have claimed the vaccines are magnetized, that they contain microchips, and even that they're the biblical "mark of the beast."
But few of these conspiracy theories were more delusional than one mentioned in a so-called "vaccine death report" promoted by far right state Representative Ken Weyler of New Hampshire. The report absurdly claimed the vaccines contain "self-aware" creatures with tentacles.
The state's Republican governor, Chris Sununu, denounced the erroneous claim to CNN"s Erin Burnett—and he didn't mince words.
Watch below.
"When crazy comes knocking at the door, you've got to slam it shut, that's all there is to it, I don't care what pa… https://t.co/knZT0hfZk0— OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) 1634860404.0
The governor said:
"Look, Erin, when crazy comes knocking at the door, you've got to slam it shut. That's all there is to it. I don't care what party you're from. ... There's just absolutely no place for the misinformation, the crazy conspiracy theories, all that kind of nonsense, I don't care what party you're from. We're gonna push back on it every time, because we've still got a big job to do. ... I got a lot on my plate, I don't need that kind of crazy getting in the way."
Others agreed, but many accused Sununu of initially tolerating these same conspiracy theories.
It's hard to slam the door after you already invited them to come in and make themselves comfortable,… https://t.co/XmLMnylUSu— Louise Spencer (@Louise Spencer) 1634908567.0
@OutFrontCNN @batess Sununu made this bed, he can now lie in it.— Rani Yachts🏳️🌈 (@Rani Yachts🏳️🌈) 1634899865.0
@OutFrontCNN @HotlineJosh Which "conspiracy theories" does he classify as "wild", & which ones does he believe, himself?— Truth Ombudsman (@Truth Ombudsman) 1634873548.0
Regardless, Sununu is far from the only one acknowledging that vaccine conspiracy theories are a threat to public health and, sadly, far too widespread.
Start holding these people civilly and criminally liable for spreading this bulls**t and see how quickly it stops. https://t.co/aper8ZKRSr— Patrick Sheldon (@Patrick Sheldon) 1634828328.0
The latest anti-vax conspiracy being propped up by Fox? Vaccines contain fetal tissue (they don't) https://t.co/cqAzVHbJDd— nikki mccann screamírez 👻 (@nikki mccann screamírez 👻) 1634074105.0
Shouldn't be overlooked from today's press conference. The Governor played into a conspiracy theory that the vaccin… https://t.co/UjENmotCc5— Anders Croy (@Anders Croy) 1634845747.0
I don’t talk about the vaccine with anyone dawg. Once y’all started making up conspiracy theories and other nonsens… https://t.co/lzOcaU4lQ0— Cole (@Cole) 1634138667.0
We've all seen how @Facebook can be used to spread misinformation, conspiracy theories, anti-vaccine info, and othe… https://t.co/jUdozUvVjF— Mark Herring (@Mark Herring) 1634226662.0
This is unbelievably paranoid behavior fed by conspiracy theories. Who knew this country had so many dangerous kook… https://t.co/Gpp8T5HUt6— Mo Ray (@Mo Ray) 1634727694.0
Attended workshop on vaccination with local community at Chungi Amar Saddu, Lahore. Large number of ppl believe vac… https://t.co/Zc3JS6aAWw— Ammar Ali Jan (@Ammar Ali Jan) 1619629766.0
Around 67 percent of Americans have gotten their first dose of the vaccine.