The Howard Stern COVID-19 Vaccine Controversy Explained

Let's be honest. Howard Stern is no stranger to controversy. The frank talking New York radio DJ and former "America's Got Talent" judge has courted controversy multiple times over the years, never being afraid to share his often polarizing views on his long-running radio show, "The Howard Stern Show," and beyond.

One of Stern's most infamous controversies came all the way back in 1992 when he exposed his booty in a thong gold superhero costume while attending the MTV Video Music Awards. He called his superhero Fartman, and he descended from the ceiling and passed a whole lot of gas on stage. Really. But while that was more crude humor, the star has also made some seriously offensive remarks in his time. Back in 1999, for example, he was largely slammed after he made completely inappropriate sexual jokes about female students caught up in the Columbine High School shooting tragedy (via AFA Journal).

It's also worth noting that "The Howard Stern Show" has been fined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) so many times over the years that it even has its own Wikipedia page dedicated to the multiple controversies, which date all the way back to the 1980s.

Proving Stern is still as on it as ever in 2021, he's now making waves for some controversial remarks about the COVID-19 vaccine and those refusing to take it up. Keep on scrolling to find out why he has a few eyebrows raised this time.

Howard Stern found himself in the middle of a controversy once again during the September 7 episode of "The Howard Stern Show" on SiriusXM. The star discussed the deaths of a few famous anti-vaxxers – particularly his fellow radio hosts — who had passed away from coronavirus after refusing to get the vaccine, while also slamming anyone else refusing the injection.

"When are we gonna stop putting up with the idiots in this country and just say it's mandatory to get vaccinated? F**k 'em. F**k their freedom. I want my freedom to live. I want to get out of the house already," the former "America's Got Talent" judge said. "I want to go next door and play chess. I want to go take some pictures. This is bulls**t."

Stern continued by saying he hates that "all these people with COVID who won't get vaccinated are in the hospitals clogging it up," pointing out that many people with other health issues aren't able to get treatment. He even went on to suggest that those who have refused the vaccine and catch the virus shouldn't go to the hospital for treatment, calling them "imbeciles" and "nutjobs." He added, "Go f**k yourself. You had the cure and you wouldn't take it."

Of course, Stern's, well, stern, comments for anti-vaxxers stirred plenty of responses, with many siding both with him and against him on social media.

Howard Stern's polarizing remarks about the coronavirus vaccine and anti-vaxxers came after he previously slammed former President Donald Trump for his response to the crisis during his time in office. In December 2020, Stern spoke to a doctor on "The Howard Stern Show" who shared how busy his hospital was with patients suffering from the disease.

Stern then took aim at Trump, saying (via New York Daily News), "This is treasonous, what's going on right now. Telling people to run around, go to rallies." His co-host, Robyn Quivers — who used to be a nurse before chatting with the radio legend — chimed in, "Well, it may not be treasonous, but it certainly is criminal," to which Stern added, "Well. It certainly is."

Stern also told the doctor of Trump, who went on to catch coronavirus himself, "You've got a guy in charge who doesn't know about hard work. They should follow you with a camera every night on the news, watching people die of COVID, watch them choking."

Well, if there's one thing we can say about Howard Stern, it's that he's certainly not afraid to share his thoughts in the public arena.