Cher has attacked Donald Trump over recent comments he made about a “herd mentality” in relation to the coronavirus pandemic.
The US president came under fire from the singer after speaking an event hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, where he said: “Sure, over a period of time. Sure, with time it goes away. And you’ll develop – you’ll develop herd – like a herd mentality.
“It’s going to be – it’s going to be herd-developed, and that’s going to happen. That will all happen. But with a vaccine, I think it will go away very quickly.”
Sharing a news article about Trump’s comments on Twitter, Cher urged her fellow US citizens to protect themselves and ensure they vote in the upcoming election.
She tweeted: “Seems 200,000 dead isn’t enough carnage, misery... for Trump.
“We must protect ourselves and those who will surely [die].”
Cher continued: “Trump wants to use ‘herd immunity’ as a treatment for Covid. This means no one tries to protect themselves in any way. Everything opens like before Covid. Likely [the number] of [Americans] dead = 6.4 million. Rosy picture.
“Must wear masks, social distance, even gloves if he tries ’herd immunity.”
She added: “Must vote and live.”
However, the White House has insisted Trump was not endorsing herd immunity as a solution to the pandemic with his comments.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the notion he did was something “cooked up” by the media.
“Herd immunity has never been a strategy here at the White House. President was noting herd immunity [develops] over a period of time,” she said.