NeverTrumper Rick Wilson, who is often a guest commentator on CNN and MSNBC, seemed to wish the coronavirus on First Lady Melania Trump Wednesday.
#BeInfected https://t.co/TZD35uaEvq
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) March 19, 2020
The “#BeInfected” remark was apparently a mocking reference to Melania Trump’s #BeBest hashtag, as Wilson later claimed. The White House announced Wednesday that the first lady would be joining members of the coronavirus task force to produce some public service announcements on the pandemic — informing Americans on the best ways to avoid contracting the virus. Wilson was seemingly referencing that decision.
First lady Melania Trump listens to U.S. President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., Feb. 4, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
Republican Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar told the pundit, “Delete this, Americans are dying.” (RELATED: Rick Wilson Melts Down: Threatens To ‘Gut’ Panelist ‘Like A Fish’ On CNN)
Delete this, Americans are dying.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) March 19, 2020
Robby Starbuck called Wilson “a really disgusting person” who should “start going by the name Dick.”
“You’ll never let go of your bitterness that Trump won,” he continued.
You’re a really a disgusting person Rick. I know a lot of people have said it but it’s true. You should really start going by the name Dick, it suits you more than the name Rick does… You’ll never let go of your bitterness that Trump won. It’s truly pitiful.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 19, 2020
Reporter Joe Concha expressed his disgust, calling Wilson’s tweeting “the most insidious & hateful rhetoric of anyone who exists in political punditry.”
This is the most insidious & hateful rhetoric of anyone who exists in political punditry. Rick Wilson is wishing Coronavirus on Melania Trump. It doesn’t matter if the wish is aimed at a First Lady, or a doctor, a teacher, a policewoman. It is despicable. He deserves no platform. https://t.co/uTr5RVZSTX
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) March 19, 2020
After a barrage of criticism, Wilson claimed it was all a joke. “ANYONE who thought I was wishing COVID on Melania is fu**wit.”
ANYONE who thought I was wishing COVID on Melania is fuckwit.
You know full well it was a riff on “BeBest” and it’s utter failure in the face of her husband’s continued role as Global Troll in Chief and National Bully.
That said, fap to your fake-ass outrage all you like.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) March 19, 2020
Wilson most recently enraged Trump supporters when he denigrated them on a panel discussion with CNN host Don Lemon.(RELATED: ‘Dumbest Man On Television’: POTUS Responds To Don Lemon Mocking Trump Voters)
Supporters of President Donald Trump hold up a banner just outside the venue while Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks during a campaign rally at Vic Mathias Shores Park on Feb. 23, 2020 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Wilson began by saying “Donald Trump couldn’t find Ukraine on a map if you had the letter ‘U’ and a picture of an actual, physical crane next to it,” which caused Lemon to erupt in laughter.
Faking a southern accent, Wilson condemned “the credulous boomer rube demo that backs Donald Trump, the ones that think that Donald Trump’s the smart one, and there all y’all, y’all elitists are duuuumb.”