Ted Cruz criticized over Covid vaccine claim
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The gist
Sen. Ted Cruz pushed a debunked claim that Covid vaccines caused an 82% miscarriage rate. The false figure drew bipartisan rebukes and a Fox Business correction.
Background
Cruz promoted the claim on his podcast and X post, citing 'bombshell data' and alleging a cover-up by Dr. Anthony Fauci and Pfizer. The figure originated from a misconstrued analysis, and experts note vaccinated and unvaccinated women had virtually the same miscarriage risk. The claim was widely criticized by journalists and politicians, and Fox Business issued a correction after Rep. Lisa McClain cited it.
How it unfolded
- Aug 11, 2026NewsNation's Katie Pavlich posts the 82% miscarriage claim, viewed 4.5 million times.
- Aug 12, 2026Rep. Lisa McClain cites the claim in a Fox Business interview, prompting a correction.
- Aug 13, 2026Sen. Ted Cruz promotes the claim on X and his podcast; community note labels it a statistical miscalculation.
- Aug 14, 2026Cruz deletes the post amid intense backlash.
Who’s saying what
- Critics
- David French called it 'deeply, dangerously dishonest'; Joe Walsh accused Cruz of spreading malicious disinformation.
- Supporters
- Cruz and allies argue the released Fauci texts reveal hidden uncertainties about vaccine risks to pregnant women.
Still unverified
The claim that Fauci and Pfizer covered up vaccine risks is unsubstantiated; the 82% figure is based on a statistical miscalculation.