White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says former President Donald Trump sent an “important signal” by revealing that he received a COVID-19 booster shot and touting vaccines.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, NBC News’ Mike Memoli noted, “We heard the president do something we don’t hear often yesterday, which is speak approvingly of his predecessor.”
Memoli’s comments referred to President Joe Biden offering some credit to Trump’s administration for the coronavirus vaccines, which were developed under Operation War Speed. That came after the former president revealed that he received a booster shot and touted the vaccines.
The reporter asked Psaki if Biden’s comments were an “attempt by the White House to speak to a population that maybe hasn’t been listening to this president as it relates to COVID?”
“Well, I think it was an acknowledgment that the former president sends an important signal to many Americans about the importance of getting boosted,” Psaki responded. “We can’t assess what that will mean or how people will digest that, or if it will change their behavior if they were opposed to getting boosted or opposed to getting vaccinated.”
She continued, “We certainly hope so, and I think it’s a reflection of the president’s belief that the enemy of the American people is the virus, and there shouldn’t be a political battle.”
“Now, it doesn’t mean we are not going to call out misinformation, or steps or actions that are being taken by any leader, that we feel are detrimental to the health and well-being of communities around the country. But we can also call out actions that we think are positive and send a good message to people who may not be waiting for President Biden to tell them what to do,” she added.
Watch the video below:
“It’s a reflection of the president’s belief that the enemy of the American people is the virus and this shouldn’t be a political battle,” White House press sec. Jen Psaki says of Pres. Biden acknowledging former Pres. Trump’s booster shot. https://t.co/WwTLrlyPKs pic.twitter.com/h5mUFX1XIV
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) December 22, 2021
Trump reacted to Biden’s recognition, telling Fox News on Tuesday, “I’m very appreciative of that…I was surprised to hear it.”
“I think it was a terrific thing, and I think it makes a lot of people happy…I think he did something very good. You know, it has to be a process of healing in this country, and that will help a lot,” he added.