Anti-vaxx GOP congressman Jim Jordan, of Ohio, triggered an avalanche of harsh criticism on Twitter after he revealed Tuesday afternoon that he had contracted COVID-19, but decided not to make any public disclosures of his health status.
“I’ve had the virus, I don’t talk about my health status with reporters,” Jordan told a Spectrum News Capitol Hill reporter who had asked if he has been vaccinated.
“I’ve had the coronavirus and recovered,” Jordan continued, adding that doctors told him he’s had his antibodies tested and is eligible to “donate plasma.”
Asked if he knew when he had COVID-19 Jordan said, “I believe it was back early in the summer.” It’s unclear why he would say he “believes” it was early in the summer.
Naturally, Twitter users blasted the “highly deceptive” and “malevolent” congressman for putting others at risk just to save face.
Watch Jordan’s remarks and some of the reactions below:
Ohio's @Jim_Jordan (R), who told me in June he hadn't been vaccinated, now tells me he had #COVID19 this summer.
"I've had the virus. I don't talk about my health status with reporters."
Jordan, who sits on the House Select COVID Subcommittee, won't say if he's been vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/DL2rv68o2k
— Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) November 23, 2021
Question is- will the people of Ohio be smart enough next go around to vote this guy out?
— kristine love peace (@DMDSSCD) November 24, 2021
Getting sick, knowing first hand, and still refusing to encourage others to get vaxxed to avoid it… that's malevolent.
— Captain Obvious (@MondeBoeuf) November 23, 2021
"I don't talk about my health status with reporters" while talking about his health status 😂
Pity Gym didn't talk about athletes in his charge being abused to reporters too – eh
— garry wilson (@catch0044) November 23, 2021
anyone surprised that the guy that allowed kids in his care to be molested didn’t tell anyone he was infested
— ✊🏿DefundMurderingBlackMen✊🏿she / her (@CopsMurderBlack) November 23, 2021
"He doesn't talk about his health status with reporters" as he talks about his health status with a reporter. 🤔 🤷♂️
— Dean Gulberry 🏳️🌈 DBTLA (@BassMagic17) November 24, 2021
Amazing how this grown man tries so hard to please one man. That’s some emasculated energy.
— Marlowe (@LoLo_DCraised) November 24, 2021
There are lots of things about which #GymJordan refuses to be honest. It's his stock and trade.
— PacNorthwest (@PNWWestCoast) November 23, 2021
Jim Jordan also didn’t talk about allegations of sexual assault against minors with the police either, so this is pretty much on brand for him.
— David Ferguson (@DavidRF34) November 23, 2021
If he continued to go to work while he knew he was infected with Covid… he should be arrested. Kicked off any committee for endangering his fellow congressmen
— REP vs DEM (@dem_vs) November 24, 2021