IT WAS A JOKE: Fox & Friends co-host has indeed washed his hands in the last decade

We all know that Trump Derangement Syndrome is a real thing, but couple that with Fox News Derangement Syndrome and it’s really time to see a doctor for a reality check.

It’s true that Fox & Friends weekend host Pete Hegseth is being eyed to perhaps take over as Secretary of Veterans Affairs from David Shulkin, but that’s no reason to panic unless you’re a columnist for USA TODAY like Jill Lawrence.

This is the guy Trump wanted to put in charge of the VA health system ?Fox News host Pete Hegseth: 'I don't think I've washed my hands for 10 years' https://t.co/wXvEcUiLY0 via @usatoday

— Jill Lawrence (@JillDLawrence) February 11, 2019

Seeing as Lawrence writes for USA TODAY, what’s the chance she actually read the story in her own paper?

On Fox and Friends Sunday morning, Hegseth told his co-hosts, Ed Henry and Jedediah Bila, that he didn’t believe in the sanitary activity. The admission was prompted by Bila calling out Hegseth for eating leftover day-old pizza on the set.

“My 2019 resolution is to say things on-air that I say off-air,” Hegseth said to his co-hosts. “‘I don’t think I’ve washed my hands for 10 years.”

As Henry and Bila laughed at this proclamation, Hegseth doubled down: “I inoculate myself,” he said. “Germs are not a real thing. I can’t see them; therefore, they’re not real.”

"Germs are not a real thing. I can't see them; therefore, they're not real." https://t.co/0tRI8bFHEe

— Jill Lawrence (@JillDLawrence) February 11, 2019

Lawrence probably didn’t read the story, only this handy pull quote from USA Today:

To paraphrase the President from an hour ago:

The Media is so self righteous and ANGRY! Loosen up and have some fun. The Country is doing well (as is my health!)

P.S. I also support drinking from garden hoses & riding bikes w/o a helmet. Cue outrage…https://t.co/BubsAwBtFx

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) February 11, 2019

Alex Clearfield, who writes for the National Journal, actually enclosed in asterisks for emphasis, “does not believe in germs.” This is a blue-check journalist covering Congress, ladies and gentlemen. Hey, any real juicy stories going on in Congress today?

Pete Hegseth, who *does not believe in germs*, was a finalist to a lead a VA medical system that cares for nine million people. https://t.co/TOoZnthqKx

— Alex Clearfield (@AlexClearfield) February 11, 2019

Of course, Clearfield got his news from Vox’s Aaron Rupar, an unimpeachable source:

Fox News’ @PeteHegseth admits, unprompted, that he hasn’t washed his hands in 10 years.

“Germs are not a real thing,” Pete says. “I can’t see them, therefore they’re not real.” pic.twitter.com/9hsAb9YA9j

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 10, 2019

I wonder if @PeteHegseth would be cool with restaurant workers preparing his food after deliberately not washing their hands?

— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) February 10, 2019

Not washing your hands to own the libs.

— Robert Caruso (@robertcaruso) February 10, 2019

Ok he says he was joking. Good to know. https://t.co/TBq7h5U2c0

— Jill Lawrence (@JillDLawrence) February 11, 2019

How did anyone not know he was joking? Because then they could use his words to either disqualify him for VA Secretary and/or show how bad a judge of people President Trump is.

Guys, lighten up.

Related:

Fake News-a-Palooza! Sharyl Attkisson’s LONG list of media ‘mistakes’ in the Trump era should EMBARRASS the MSM https://t.co/8FR5EMWXS3

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 26, 2019