TV host says he has not washed hands in 10 years; Twitter erupts with reactions

"I inoculate myself. Germs are not a real thing. I can't see them, therefore they're not real," Hegseth said.

Image Courtesy: Twitter

New Delhi: Fox News host Pete Hegseth triggered a wave of reactions on social media after he said that he has not washed his hands in a decade as he thinks "germs are not a real thing". The little joke that the host tried to crack, ended up sending viewers into frenzy and triggering adverse social media comments. The network's spokeswoman later described Hegseth's comments as a "joke". He admitted to not washing his hands, on Sunday's 'Fox and Friends' episode. He said the infectious micro-organisms did not exist because they could not be seen with the naked eye. "I inoculate myself. Germs are not a real thing. I can't see them, therefore they're not real," Hegseth said. His  co-hosts Ed Henry and Jedediah Bila made fun of him for eating left-over pizza that had not been refrigerated. It was then he made the statement. "My 2019 resolution is to say things on air that I say off air," Hegseth then added. His comments were met with both support and concern on social media.

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

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— Chris J R 🇨🇦 (@Chris_J_R) February 11, 2019

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— Debbie Hoffman (@sarakenny) February 10, 2019

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— Jen (@jh_gr) February 10, 2019

Remind me never to accept a dinner invitation to his house. Or shake his hand. File under “things to never say out loud” 🙄

— Jamie Schler (@lifesafeast) February 11, 2019

And I can’t see an atom splitting so nuclear war must not be possible.

— Healthcare is Pro Life (@RoverGrover) February 11, 2019

I can't see my own brain SO WHAT'S REALLY IN THERE HUH

— NorahBrink (@nbrink77) February 11, 2019

Besides being patently false, he is being woefully irresponsible by saying something so dangerous on national tv. pic.twitter.com/JOSJ3P7qG9

— Florencia Polite, MD (@PoliteFlorencia) February 11, 2019

When even @chrislhayes can see the obvious...Twitter really has come full circle. https://t.co/o1dPPaWEhS

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) February 11, 2019