CNN Anchor John King Reveals He Has Multiple Sclerosis, Attacks Vaccine Misinformation

CNN anchor John King revealed Wednesday that he has been living with multiple sclerosis for 13 years. King made the announcement as a rebuke to misinformation that was spread on some news outlets about the COVID-19 vaccine after the death Monday of former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

During an interview with CNN's "New Day," King discussed the vaccine when he shared his health battle with viewers.

“I’m going to share a secret I have never shared before,” King said. “I have multiple sclerosis. So I’m grateful you’re all vaccinated.”

Misinformation has spread this week about the COVID-19 vaccine from media outlets like Fox News following the death of Powell, who was fully vaccinated against the virus.

“I do not understand people who get up in the morning who are vaccinated themselves and willingly lie to get attention, to get clickbait...I do not understand it,” King said.

“Just the opposite is true. Yes, [Powell] was vaccinated, but he had a condition that compromised his immune system, as I do.”

King revealed that while the medications he takes helps his condition, it compromises his immune system.

“To lie about the effectiveness of vaccines is numbing,” he said.

King acknowledged that people are allowed to share their opinions and have opposing political views, but he insisted it was important to share the truth.

“We are getting to the point whereby Thanksgiving dinner the population of Denver will have been wiped out by COVID.

"Is that not big enough to startle us to say let’s put our politics aside and let’s debate these big questions? But let’s debate them on facts. The world is round. Trump lost. Vaccines work,” King said.

“What crossed the line for me was lying about an American hero... and to lie about vaccines...is just reckless.”

King, who is known for standing at the “magic wall” for hours during elections, revealed the 2020 presidential election took a toll on him.

“I hope nobody noticed it, but 'Election Week in America' was probably one of my worst weeks last year,” King said. “I was having a lot of trouble functioning.”

The longtime CNN anchor admitted that he doesn’t enjoy talking about himself but felt it was important to share his story for those who may have doubts about getting the COVID-19 vaccine amid the spread of misinformation.