We've been reporting about Minnesota Republican gubernatorial fundraising frontrunner Dr. Scott Jensen's anti-vaxx tendencies since our January 2019 post .
But now Jensen appeared to be expanding his circle to 9-11 deniers, if an image online was to be trusted. On Saturday, former Republican operative Michael Brodkorb tweeted:
SHOCK: @drscottjensen is set to appear on the "ReAwaken America Tour" with Lin Wood - a notorious conspiracy theorist - who recently said no planes hit the Twin Towers or the Pentagon on 9/11. Click here for details about the tour -> https://t.co/2clYMuc9dh #mngov #mngop https://t.co/HtGApOZn3Y pic.twitter.com/IRld1Wh7j5
— Michael Brodkorb (@mbrodkorb) October 3, 2021
Keeping with his style, Jensen denied being on the bill of fare in a tweet back to Brodkorb:
Good catch, Michael. I asked that my name be removed because these organizers included it in error. I won’t be speaking at this conference and have not consented to my name being used.
— Scott Jensen (@drscottjensen) October 3, 2021
I’d ask you to correct, but realize your agenda may not allow you to. https://t.co/G567RgeZJW
As one response points out, it's taking long enough for his name to be removed. In a month-old article published on September 3, the Guardian's Peter Stone reported in Trump loyalists team up with anti-vax doctors for ‘health and freedom’ tour:
Another doctor listed as a speaker at the rallies is Scott Jensen, a former state senator and Fox News favorite who is running for governor in Minnesota. Last year, Jensen was a candidate for Politifact’s “lie of the year” for claiming baselessly that doctors were overcounting Covid cases for their own financial gain.
The report was picked up by Business Insider and other media outlets. Replies in Jensen's response to Brodkorb list these venues.
It's curious that Jensen was still listed that late. We did find commentary by Tara Bishop from July 14 in the Hill Reporter, Bad Influence: Anaheim ‘Influenza Church’ Hosting 2-Day ‘QAnon-Palooza,' which noted the doctor's name wasn't listed among the Anaheim speakers:
Now, there has been a last-minute change: Scott Jensen, who is allegedly a medical doctor but somehow doesn’t understand how medicine works, is no longer appearing. Maybe they can get Peter Navarro to take his place and scream about hydroxychloroquine or something.
Supporting evidence for the absence? A tweet:
"Reawaken America Tour" at the Influence Church in Anaheim this weekend. Featuring Michael Flynn, MyPillow Guy Mike Lindell, Roger Stone, 'Magneto' Dr. Sherri Tenpenny. QAnon-palooza organized by Clay Clark @TheClayClark Contact organizers at info@thrivetimeshow.com https://t.co/vJcyh7Vnlw
— Nancy Levine (@nancylevine) July 14, 2021
Levine tried to follow up about Jensen's absence:
To @GOP Republican @drscottjensen Scott Jensen: You are running to be the next Governor of #Minnesota. Your name was originally listed as a speaker for this QAnon-themed "Reawaken America Tour" in Anaheim this weekend, featuring Michael Flynn. Did you drop out? Why? DM me. https://t.co/S6XIWQL5D7
— Nancy Levine (@nancylevine) July 14, 2021
Apparently Jensen didn't get back to her in two other tweets here and here. Frustrated, she turned to Governor Walz:
Hi @GovTimWalz. Scott Jensen, who is running for Governor for Minnesota, reportedly dropped out of this QAnon event in Anaheim this weekend. @drscottjensen hasn't responded to my inquiries. Do you know anything about Scott's participation in this QAnon event? #MNGov https://t.co/WRrilxrVws
— Nancy Levine (@nancylevine) July 15, 2021
Here one day, gone tomorrow. On one level at least.
Levine's twitter profile notes a list of publication: "Bylines: Sports Illustrated, Salon, Raw Story, Rantt Media." YMMV assessing those.
But it does appear that Jensen had a chance to address this issue publicly back in July and didn't do so, nor did he address media coverage in September. Curious. Perhaps he can produce emails or phone records documenting his request.
Perhaps it's just as well that Jensen isn't rejoining his pal Del BigTree, given this remarkable spiel about worm detection in the Sleepy Eye area during his youth (we don't remember this one from our nearby upbringing by Republican parents, to be honest).
Honestly, we trust this guy on health issues now about as much as we do our attorney general here in South Dakota on safe driving.
Related posts:
- Minnesota anti-mandate effort promotes national anti-vaxxer at September 26 state capitol rally
- The headlines keep coming for MN vaccine skeptic gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen
- Anti-vaxxer, former state senator to seek Republican endorsement for 2022 governor
- Small town MN freedom fighting restauranteur's anti-vaxx pals make us pause about her savvy
Image: These organizers haven't removed Scott Jensen from the lineup. Via Michael Brodkorb tweet.
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