Right-wing ‘idiot’ Ted Nugent goes viral for asking why we didn’t shut down for Covid 1 to 18

Musical artist and pro-gun political activist Ted Nugent has gone viral for a facepalm-worthy bit of Covid-19misinformation.

According to a post in the Journal of Musical Things, Nugent published a 12-minute video rant on his Facebook page. He was pushing a claim that had critics of the conservative entertainer wondering if he is just seeking attention by trolling - or really doesn’t have any knowledge of the pandemic at all.

It's also worth mentioning that the line he’s pushing about Covid-19 was debunked a long time ago.

Within the video, Nugent was complaining about his next tour being canceled due to Covid-19 precautions.

He then ranted, saying: "You know, I guess I would ask you — because I’m addicted to truth, logic, and common sense — and my common-sense meter would demand the answer to why weren’t we shut down for COVID one through 18? COVID-1 — and there was a COVID 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 — COVID one through 18 didn’t shut anything down but woah, COVID-19!"

The fact-checking website Snopes responded to Nugent’s comment.

"The respiratory disease COVID-19 was named in February 2020 for the coronavirus that causes it — SARS-CoV-2 — and the year in which the first disease case was reported — 2019. Following that logic, Nugent’s proclamation of a "COVID one through 18" would suggest that there had been 18 years of coronavirus infection rates at a global scale, which is unfounded,” wrote Snopes.

Although Snopes cleared the air, we can leave it up to Twitter to poke fun at the matter - with multiple people calling Nugent an idiot.

“Oh my god - even though there are so many obviously batshit claims made, apparently in earnest, I thought this one *must* be a parody,” said a Twitter user.

Another user made what appears to be a PSA for people to think before they speak.

“I’m all for actors and singers and sport stars sharing their political views. But some of them really should think before speaking,” said the user.

We couldn’t agree more.

Check out other responses to the video below: