"We need to stall the recovery."
That alarming phrase is one among a series of strategic bullet points discussed at a GOP funder's retreat in late February, 2021. Seeing the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccinations as a turning point in the nation's economy, a group of Republican lawmakers gathered at a remote estate in the Florida keys with six important conservative donors. A newly released recording of one consequential breakfast meeting reveals a strategy that was as diabolical as it was effective.
The recording was made by Tam C. Sheker, a freelance photographer who was hired to take head shots. Present at the conference were several prominent media personalities who offered a series of tactics to offset what they saw as "the Democratic windfall of virus immunity."
In one barely audible section of the recording one can hear a female voice saying "I hope everyone in this room is vaccinated." Later, that same voice, answering a question about the efficacy of science denial, is heard saying, "are you kidding? Don't you realize how stupid the Republican base is?"
A lengthy excerpt offers a clear overview of an overarching strategy to subvert the American effort to slow the pandemic. "Three words," one participant says, "disinformation, disinformation, disinformation." It is apparent from the recording that the strategy involved the promotion of vaccine hesitancy, anti-mask wearing and the discrediting of Dr. Fauci.
"All we have to do is call it 'freedom' and those MAGA idiots will eat it up."
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