COVID-19 'Conspiracy Theory' Believing Trump Supporter Confesses to Media After Family Death: "I Feel Guilty"

[Image source = Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] A Trump supporter who believed the COVID-19 pandemic was media manipulation has shared his story with the press.

Recently, foreign media such as CNN introduced the story of Tony Green (43) and his family, where 14 family members were infected and 2 died after ignoring COVID-19.

Green, who lives in Texas, is a fervent supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump and had expressed strong distrust of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He referred to COVID-19 as a "scamdemic," believing that the mainstream media and the Democratic Party were using the pandemic to create fear, collapse the economy, and obstruct Trump's re-election.

On June 23, Green ignored the spread of COVID-19 infections and held a party inviting his family. After the party, some relatives including himself became infected, marking the beginning of his tragedy.

Eventually, even family members who did not attend the party tested positive one by one, increasing the number of infected relatives to 14, including two children.

Among the confirmed cases, Green's father-in-law relied on a ventilator and passed away at the age of 52 after six weeks of hospitalization. The father-in-law's mother also reportedly died from COVID-19.

Green once suffered from breathing difficulties, fainting, and even a stroke, but is now reported to have recovered his health.

He reflected, "My father-in-law passed away without even a chance to say goodbye. It felt as if the world swallowed him whole," adding, "I feel great guilt for holding the party. Although it was unintentional, this feeling is like a drunk driver who killed their family."

He confessed, "I once believed the coronavirus was media manipulation and mocked people wearing masks," and urged, "I want to tell those preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas to be cautious about meeting family and avoid it as much as possible."

He added that he shared his story with the media to inform the world about the tragedy that can come from false beliefs.