![Journalist Who Attacked ‘Anti-Vaxxers’ Dies ‘Unexpectedly’ at 43 Matt Driscoll](https://i0.wp.com/www.thaimbc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/matt-driscoll-antt-vaxxers-dies-suddenly-G19.jpg?resize=696%2C366&ssl=1)
A prominent journalist from Washington State, who smeared and attacked “anti-vaxxers” over their views about Covid mRNA shots, has died “unexpectedly” at just 43 years old.
Matt Driscoll was a controversial columnist and opinion editor for The News Tribune (TNT).
Driscoll’s sudden death was announced by TNT.
The outlet revealed that Driscoll died in his Tacoma home this Sunday.
In an article about Driscoll’s death, fellow TNT writer Sean Robinson wrote:
“We’ve lost a friend and beloved colleague, but Tacoma and Pierce County have lost someone who never stopped caring.”
TNT’s senior reporter Shea Johnson also heaped praise on Driscoll, describing him as “the face” of the outlet.
“He was obviously a force at The News Tribune — the face of the TNT for many — but never acted like he was too cool to approach for questions, advice, or just office banter,” Johnson said.
Washington’s Democrat Governor Jay Inslee also paid tribute to Driscoll on social media.
In a post on X, Gov. Inslee wrote:
“Tacoma still has the Rainiers and the Narrows Bridge, but our City of Destiny has a hole in our hearts at the loss of Matt Driscoll.
“What a big heart and an insightful pen he gave us. I miss him already.”
Tacoma still has the Rainiers and the Narrows Bridge, but our City of Destiny has a hole in our hearts at the loss of Matt Driscoll. What a big heart and an insightful pen he gave us. I miss him already. https://t.co/agGeNTM8Zj
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) July 23, 2024
On his social media accounts, Driscoll described himself as “the Johnny Appleseed of White Guilt” and “the Perez Hilton of Pierce County,” according to My Northwest.
In recent years, Driscoll has become a controversial figure due to his views about Covid mRNA shots and so-called “anti-vaxxers.”
Driscoll was particularly vocal about NFL star Aaron Rodgers’ views about Covid shots.
He took issue with Rodgers warning people about the potential side effects of mRNA injections, accusing the NFL star of engaging in “performance art.”
In a post on X, Driscoll shared a quote from an article accusing Rodgers of having “repeated popular conspiracy theories about Covid vaccines.”
The post also accused the football star of citing “discredited sources” while discussing the risks associated with the shots.
Rogers “repeated popular conspiracy theories about Covid vaccines, cited a number of discredited sources and claimed he was being ‘cancelled’ and ‘censored’ for ‘doing his own research.’”
— Matt Driscoll (@mattsdriscoll) January 11, 2024
I swear to god: It’s like performance art at this point. https://t.co/izr3MqysLG
The popular X account “Died Suddenly” also shared news of Driscoll’s sudden passing.
In a post on X, the account wrote that Discoll “died suddenly after proudly getting vaccinated and promoting the shot through his reporting in Washington State.”
“Driscoll also cheered the work of pro-vaxx troll Craig Egan in 2017 while he harassed and bullied the Vaxxed movie tour, which compellingly presented the story of parents whose children developed autism after receiving routine shots after birth,” the post states.
Journalist Matt Driscoll (43) has died suddenly after proudly getting vaccinated and promoting the shot through his reporting in Washington State.
— DiedSuddenly (@DiedSuddenly_) July 26, 2024
Driscoll accused Aaron Rogers of “performance art” after the NFL star was cancelled for warning people of the dangerous side effects… pic.twitter.com/RXeVJVyC4z
Driscoll suggested in social media posts that he has been “vaccinated” for Covid himself.
Waited a LONG time for this. @RainiersLand #vaccinated pic.twitter.com/vWZM5tBd78
— Matt Driscoll (@mattsdriscoll) May 23, 2021
Parents had to show a vaccine card. The Rainiers had rapid-testing for the kids. Took about 15 minutes.
— Matt Driscoll (@mattsdriscoll) May 25, 2021
According to TNT, Driscoll reportedly suffered an undisclosed “medical emergency” at home.
He could not be revived and died suddenly.
No official cause of death has yet been revealed.