Donald Trump vows to slash federal funding for any school that enforces a vaccine mandate at Wisconsin rally

RACINE, WISCONSIN: Donald Trump promised that on reelection he would slash funding for any school enforcing a vaccine mandate at his Wisconsin rally on Tuesday, June 18. 

He said, "I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or a mask mandate," to a cheering Racine crowd.

Donald Trump reiterates anti-vaccine rhetoric at Wisconsin rally

Trump has repeatedly made similar promises in recent months, echoing the exact phrase from Tuesday's event at rallies in March and May. Should he act on this promise, no school in the US would be eligible for federal funding, as reported by HuffPost.

Every one of the 50 states, along with Washington, DC, mandates certain vaccinations for students, such as measles, rubella, chickenpox, tetanus, pertussis, and polio. The exemptions to these requirements differ from state to state, with California, New York, and a few others enforcing the most stringent regulations.

Polio, which infected, paralyzed, or killed about 60,000 American children in 1952, has been eliminated in the country due to widespread vaccination efforts.

Previously, Trump's representatives clarified he was specifically addressing Covid-19 vaccine mandates in schools. However, he has omitted this clarification in his recent speeches, seemingly catering to the anti-vaccine segment of his party.

Moreover, in recent times, a segment of conservatives has started to question vaccine safety, despite rigorous scientific evaluation and lack of substantial evidence of long-term adverse effects.

Donald Trump previously claimed credit for the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccine

According to a 2023 Politico/Morning Consult poll, skepticism about vaccines was roughly equal among Democrats and Republicans prior to 2020; however, since the pandemic, Republican voters appear to be more concerned with the risks linked with vaccines than their health benefits.

Although Trump previously claimed credit for the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines, he has since scaled back on his support for them and vaccines in general. 

In May, he criticized independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr, a notable figure in the anti-vaccine movement, for not doing enough to further the cause. 

"Republicans, get it out of your mind that you’re going to vote for this guy because he’s conservative. He’s not. And by the way, he said the other night that vaccines are fine," said Trump in a video circulated on social media.

He added, "He said it on a show, a television show, that vaccines are fine. He’s all for them. And that’s what he said. And for those of you that want to vote because you think he’s an anti-vaxxer, he’s not really an anti-vaxxer."

Internet reacts as Donald Trump pledges to axe funding for schools with a vaccine mandate

Soon after Trump's latest promise regarding slashing funding for schools with immunization mandates came to light, netizens couldn't help but share their thoughts. 

A person wrote, "Trump and all his children and all his administration got the vaccine. Red hatters just can’t see the forest for the trees. What does it take for them to see trump is lying to them," and another added, "Facts mean nothing to maga."

"Never bring common sense and facts to a republican talking point," expressed an individual. 

An X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, "Everything Trump does is bizarre," while one more added, "This is disingenuous. He’s obviously referring to a Covid vaccine and mask mandate, not all vaccines." 

Another person questioned, "Yet another back door attempt to banish the department of education?"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.