We know Fox News hosts can have a dismissive view of science.
But we didn’t know it went this far.
Yesterday, Fox & Friends presenter Pete Hegseth made a shocking confession:
My 2019 resolution is to say things on-air that I say off-air… I don’t think I’ve washed my hands for 10 years. Really. I don’t really wash my hands.
I inoculate myself… germs are not a real thing. I can’t see them, therefore they’re not real.
Fox News’ @PeteHegseth admits, unprompted, that he hasn’t washed his hands in 10 years. “Germs are not a real thin… https://t.co/G6Iu3Bk6B6— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1549841612
Seriously, what?
I can’t see them, therefore they’re not real.
I don’t think anyone believes Hegseth is one of America’s brightest minds but this is something children can understand.
And he's had the education to know better.
This guy graduated from Princeton and then Harvard. Wow. https://t.co/1MmECE9Sul— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1549858198
A lot of people pointed out that Hegseth was also considered to head the Department of Veteran Affairs by Donald Trump.
Pete Hegseth, who *does not believe in germs*, was a finalist to a lead a VA medical system that cares for nine mil… https://t.co/70FaYdykED— Alex Clearfield (@Alex Clearfield) 1549844230
Thankfully, Trump is “very much a germaphobe” in his own words.
Even in the less prestigious role of Fox News host, Hegseth’s views are notably stupid.
@JordanUhl McDonald's has higher employee standards than Fox News— Arlen Parsa (@Arlen Parsa) 1549835530
checkmate, libs https://t.co/iRTeizqEBQ— jordan (@jordan) 1549835031
I just found patient zero for the disease which wipes out humanity in 2026 https://t.co/k8uohvMGyf— Matt Bevan (@Matt Bevan) 1549867274
Good thing this isn’t the network that half the country uses to make decisions about science-based issues like clim… https://t.co/oj4jXWaTxu— Mike Drucker (@Mike Drucker) 1549848993
And if you’re feeling tempted to believe him, here’s a short list of things you can’t see that are also very real:
- Gravity.
- Oxygen.
- The internet.
- Sound.
- Atoms.
- And yes, germs.
Germs are real.
@atrupar @JordanUhl @PeteHegseth So since he can’t see his brain, IT doesn’t exist?— Animal Lover 🐶🐱🐼🐰 (@Animal Lover 🐶🐱🐼🐰) 1549842735
That’s a very good question…
You might be thinking “Maybe he’s just joking,” as MSNBC host Chris Hayes did.
@atrupar @PeteHegseth he's....pretty clearly joking?— Chris Hayes (@Chris Hayes) 1549894384
But, how do you explain this tweet doubling down on the #DontWash movement?
Please Pete, if you’re reading this – just wash your hands.
It’s so much better for everyone.
Anti-washers are the new anti-vaxxers https://t.co/j3krfWl5UZ— ryan teague beckwith (@ryan teague beckwith) 1549855917
Hegseth might be regretting his New Year's resolution now.
HT: Aaron Rupar