Kentucky GOP lawmaker compares Dr. Fauci to leader of the Jonestown Massacre
Kentucky's House Education Committee chairwoman is facing heightened scrutiny for the recent meme she posted attempting to compare the nation's top infectious disease expert to the leader of the Jonestown massacre.
On Tuesday, July 20, Rep. Regina Huff (R-Williamsburg) tweeted side-by-side photos of the infamous Jim Jones and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) director Dr. Anthony Fauci.
According to the Courier-Journal, Huff's post also included captions with both photos. Under Jones' photo, the caption read, "I persuaded over 900 people to drink my Kool-Aid" which was a reference to the 1978 mass murder-suicide where hundreds of individuals in Jones' cult drank poisoned Kool-Aid.
Under Fauci's photo, the caption simply read, "Amateur," which appears to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccine is a far more widespread version of what Jones was responsible for. With the controversial photo, Huff tweeted, "Some will cavil, they will not be able to help themselves."
Although Huff deleted the tweet shortly after posting it, screenshots were quickly snapped. However, she made it clear that her decision to delete the post had very little to do with regret.
According to Huff, her decision was due to the reactions she received. "I did indeed delete the tweet because of the vulgarity within the comments," the Republican lawmaker said. She also defended her tweet saying it was "representative of the efforts gearing up to mandating and controlling citizens."
Kentucky's House Education chair tweeted, and then deleted, this meme that appears to compare vaccination efforts against COVID-19 to Jonestown.pic.twitter.com/Kgca0BnAC6— Olivia Krauth (@Olivia Krauth) 1626789521
Huff's remarks come as the state of Kentucky faces COVID-related challenges ahead of the new school year. The state's public health guidance highlights a recommendation for unvaccinated students to wear masks. However, it also suggests that districts consider implementing a full mask mandate for everyone as they could face difficulties enforcing a partial mandate.
Among those who criticized Huff, Jefferson County teacher and activist Tiffany Dunn also sounded off about her seemingly reckless remarks as she also offered her a word of advice.
"We're trying to get our kids back SAFELY to school in August and in a way they can STAY there," Dunn said in response to Huff's tweets. "She should either be encouraging vaccinations or at the very least keeping her mouth shut."
