John Rich's Advice to Trump Shaped Vaccine Messaging Strategy

The country singer revealed he urged Trump to stop discussing COVID-19 vaccines after rally boos, reflecting conservative voter mistrust of public health institutions.

• John Rich recounted advising Donald Trump in 2022 to avoid discussing COVID-19 vaccines after the former president questioned why his supporters were booing him at rallies.
• Rich attributed the negative reaction to deep-seated distrust of federal health agencies like the CDC and NIH, which he described as untrustworthy by conservative voters.
• The conversation took place during a meeting with Republican lawmakers, including Senators Lindsey Graham, Marsha Blackburn, and Bill Hagerty, and was pivotal in shaping Trump's campaign messaging.
• Rich also cited personal accounts of vaccine injuries as a factor influencing the audience's skepticism and dissatisfaction with vaccine discussions.
• The revelation highlights the evolving political communication strategies in response to ideological divides and voter sentiment, particularly surrounding public health issues.

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