GOP activist Ed Naile frequently spread disinformation in New Hampshire, and on COVID-19 specifically opposed masks, “fake vaccines” and accused hospitals of deliberately killing people with ventilators

CONCORD, NH – Ed Naile, a prominent New Hampshire conspiracy theorist who spread disinformation about election integrity and COVID-19, has died of COVID after a month long stay at Concord Hospital according to a conservative blog he wrote for.

“COVID-19 has taken the lives of too many Americans, which is why it is critically important that we all come together to promote strong public health measures to slow the spread of COVID and save lives,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “Disinformation is deadly, and we urge those who care about the health and safety of our families and our nation to get vaccinated, mask up, and follow public health guidance. It is particularly important to do that right now as our hospitals are stretched to capacity caring for critically-ill COVID patients, some of whom will still unfortunately pass away and leave behind grieving loved ones.”

Over the course of the pandemic, Naile routinely spread disinformation about COVID-19, referring to “fake vaccines” and going so far as to accuse hospitals of deliberately killing people with ventilators. According to reports, it appears Naile spent nearly a month at Concord Hospital relying on the compassionate care of doctors and nurses before succumbing to COVID-19 related complications.

Best known for promoting debunked voter fraud stories and his role as chairman of the conservative Coalition of NH Taxpayers, Naile was also a supporter of the attempted insurrection in Washington, DC, praising the action as “mandatory citizen activism” and the “new normal” and writing that “Americans should storm DC once a month” until the 2022 elections. That has not stopped Republican candidates for federal office in New Hampshire from lauding Naile, nor has his untimely death spurred them to encourage fellow Granite Staters to follow public health guidance to protect themselves and their community from COVID.

A note from our organization: It is always hard to know how to handle situations like this one. The loss of any of our community members is sad, and Mr. Naile leaves behind grieving loved ones. What we do know is that disinformation is deadly, and that in these moments of tragedy, there is an opportunity — and a duty — to deliver the hard facts and news.

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Granite State Progress is a progressive advocacy organization that addresses issues of immediate state and local concern. Granite State Progress works as a communications hub for the progressive community to provide a strong, credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to critical community problems. Visit https://granitestateprogress.org/ to learn more.