The Death Cult of Trumpism: How Vaccine Misinformation Kills

Strategic Insights -

The far-right conference in Arizona, where Sarah Palin proclaimed her refusal to get vaccinated, is a stark example of the anti-science ideology that has taken hold among Trump supporters. By discouraging vaccination, these individuals are literally putting lives at risk, as evidenced by the significantly higher death rates in pro-Trump counties compared to anti-Trump ones. According to Charles Gaba's data, since June 30, there have been 117 deaths per 100,000 people in the reddest 10 percent of the United States, nearly six times the death rate in the bluest decile.

Key Takeaways:

  • Since June 30, there have been approximately 117 deaths per 100,000 people in the reddest 10 percent of the United States, nearly six times the death rate in the bluest decile (Gaba, 2022).
  • The 100 million people living in the most pro-Trump 30 percent of the United States had a death rate of about 98 per 100,000 since June 30, more than triple the 30 per 100,000 among the least pro-Trump 30 percent (Gaba, 2022).
  • In August, there were 7 deaths per 100,000 in the reddest counties for every 1 death per 100,000 in the bluest, and this month, Gaba projects 5.62 deaths per 100,000 in the Trumpiest 10 percent for every 1 death per 100,000 in the least-Trumpy decile (Gaba, 2022).
  • As of Dec. 20, among the bluest 10 percent of the population, 68.8 percent are fully vaccinated, while in the reddest 10 percent, only 41.9 percent are fully vaccinated (Gaba, 2022).
  • Another study shows that pro-Trump counties are dying from COVID-19 at a rate more than five times higher than in anti-Trump counties (Blogger Charles Gaba, cited in Blumenthal, 2022).

Statistics:

  • 117 deaths per 100,000 people in the reddest 10 percent of the United States since June 30 (Gaba, 2022).
  • 21 deaths per 100,000 in the bluest decile since June 30 (Gaba, 2022).
  • 98 deaths per 100,000 in the most pro-Trump 30 percent of the United States since June 30 (Gaba, 2022).
  • 30 deaths per 100,000 among the least pro-Trump 30 percent of the United States since June 30 (Gaba, 2022).
  • 5.62 deaths per 100,000 in the Trumpiest 10 percent of the United States this month for every 1 death per 100,000 in the least-Trumpy decile (Gaba, 2022).
  • 68.8 percent fully vaccinated in the bluest 10 percent of the population as of Dec. 20 (Gaba, 2022).
  • 41.9 percent fully vaccinated in the reddest 10 percent of the population as of Dec. 20 (Gaba, 2022).

Sources:

  • Gaba, C. (2022). COVID-19 Deaths by County. Blog post, date not specified.
  • Blumenthal, S. (2022, January). The Death Cult of Trumpism. Editorial, date not specified.