Once President Donald Trump left the Oval Office, Hollywood jumped aboard the vaccine train.
Celebrities far and wide pushed the jab from their social media perches, the late-night landscape, and even “Saturday Night Live.”
Stars who shamed Americans for protesting the COVID lockdowns during the Trump era, promoted mass vaccinations with equal vigor.
One could argue in favor of the logic behind the push at the time. We were told the vaccines not only protected us from the virus’ worst symptoms, but helped prevent recipients from spreading it to others.
We later learned the vaccine’s efficacy waned in subsequent months, some still died after receiving boosters, and the shot’s ability to stop the spread was more hype than reality.
“Breakthrough” infections went from rare to commonplace. Some argued about the vaccine’s side effects, including interruptions in the menstrual cycle. That’s despite early findings there was “no data” to suggest such a link.
Celebrities aren’t doctors. They don’t spend long weekends in labs poring over the latest medical findings. Yet they used every bully pulpit possible to promote vaccinations and shame anyone who disagreed, without acknowledging the various sides of the public debate.
Dozens and dozens of stars shared their vaccination photos on social media to promote the cause.
“My wing is feeling a little sore, but it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy,” Big Bird tweeted.
Far-Left singer John Legend, who has supported the Defund the Police movement, told Gayle King why he got his shot.
“I’ve seen the devastation, the separation … we did Christmas on Zoom. I want to get back with my family … and not fear their health and their safety.”
“Saturday Night Live” also got into the act, sharing pro-vaccine messaging in multiple segments.
An April 2021 sketch on “Saturday Night Live” featured a faux game show named “Will You Take It?” in which guest host Daniel Kaluuya played a doctor all but begging his unvaccinated family members to get the jab.
Naturally, the unvaccinated are portrayed as slow, God-fearing, and stubborn, to be kind.
A December 2021 SNL sketch featured Kate McKinnon as Dr. Anthony Fauci, along with lines mocking GOP politicians who cautioned against mass vaccinations.
Outgoing “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah excoriated tennis great Novak Djokovic for not getting vaccinated, even though being young and in peak physical condition meant he had little to fear from the virus.
The most infamous example is Stephen Colbert’s “The Vax Scene.” The sketch featured musical numbers, including dancing needles, in an attempt to promote the medical treatments.
“We are the Vax Scene, get your shot right now in your arm, it won’t hurt, then go hug your mom.”
“In-noc-u-lation, for the whole nation, get a shot in your arm and get a haircut.”
Here’s what one YouTube commenter blithely commented underneath the clip: “If anyone has ever wondered what propaganda actually looks like, you’ve found it … ”
Howard Stern took a combative tone regarding the vaccine. Those who chose against the jab, he said, deserved to suffer the consequences: “It’s time for you to get it. Now, if you don’t get it, in my America, all hospitals would be closed to you. You’re going to go home and die. That is what you should get. Absolutely.”
Stern famously admitted to becoming a recluse during, and after, the pandemic.
His pal Jimmy Kimmel used his late-night perch to similarly swipe at the unvaccinated, suggesting that they should be banished from hospitals. He also served up a faux children’s book to mock the unvaccinated.
“Dot Got a Shot” ends with the child receiving a COVID vaccination, even though children represent a microscopically small threat of serious illness or death due to the virus.
Kimmel capped the book by suggesting anti-vax parents were akin to flat-earthers.
Of course, there may be a simple answer to this obsequious behavior on Hollywood’s part, beyond a willingness to do the Democrats’ bidding at every chance.
A new Judicial Watch exposé showed how the Biden administration aggressively pursued social media platforms, celebrities, and late-night television shows to push its pro-vaccine, no questions asked agenda.
Here’s a sampling of their proposals and plans.
- Vaccine engagement package to all entertainment talent and management agencies
- Vaccine engagement package to all media companies and show producers
- Start celebrity Share the Mics
- Late night hosts vaccination video
- Launch Hollywood comedy writers video content
- Work with YouTube on an original special about vaccinations targeted to young people (similar to the YouTube’s Dear Call of 2020 special)
- Request that the major live TV entertainment shows feature hosts being vaccinated on air (ex: the hosts of The Voice)
- Request vaccination specials with BET, The Undefeated, Desus & Mero, Sneaker Shopper. Hot Ones
- Work with the Hollywood guilds to work vaccination messaging into scripted and reality TV shows (ex: Writers Guild, Directors Guild.)
It’s hard to say how successful every part of this strategy proved, but it’s clear it either met with some success or Hollywood, Inc. read the administration’s mind.
Again and again.
It doesn’t mean the various stars who promoted vaccines, and aggressively shamed anyone who questioned their efficacy, don’t have more explaining to do.
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at @HollywoodInToto.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.