Democratic hopeful for Texas Governor Beto O’Rourke announced via Twitter on Aug. 28, 2022, that he had to postpone upcoming events due to a bacterial infection. Shortly after the announcement, social media users speculated that he instead had monkeypox, but presented no evidence to substantiate their claims.
In a statement published via Twitter on Aug. 28, O’Rourke wrote that he had been diagnosed with a bacterial infection: “After feeling ill on Friday, I went to Methodist Hospital in San Antonio where I was diagnosed with a bacterial infection. The extraordinary team there — from custodians to nurses and doctors — gave me excellent care and attention, including IV antibiotics and rest” (here).
Following O’Rourke’s statement shared online, users speculated that he had contracted monkeypox.
One user said on Twitter: “How did Beto get monkeypox??” (here).
How did Beto get monkeypox??
—Semi Fascist Liberty Mom
Another user shared an image of O’Rourke with text printed across the photograph that reads: “Texas gov candidate Beto O’Rourke diagnosed with ‘bacterial infection,’ says he will be ‘resting at home’.” The headline printed across the upper-third of the image reads: “Probably Monkeypox” (here).
Other examples of the claim shared online can be found (here) and (here).
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