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'An embarrassment to Texas': AG Ken Paxton trolled for suing Pfizer claiming pharma giant lied about efficacy of Covid vaccine

Ken Paxton accused Pfizer of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, asserting that the company made 'unsupported claims'

AUSTIN, TEXAS: In a move that has ignited a storm on social media, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) declared on Thursday, November 30, that he is suing the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.

Paxton alleges that the company engaged in deceptive practices by "misrepresenting" the effectiveness of its widely administered Covid-19 vaccine.

Ken Paxton questions Pfizer's efficacy claims

Paxton, in his announcement, accused Pfizer of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, asserting that the company made "false, deceptive, and misleading acts and practices by making unsupported claims regarding the company’s Covid-19 vaccine."

The lawsuit specifically challenges Pfizer's assertion that its vaccine would bring an end to the Covid-19 pandemic and questions the accuracy of the company's claim that the shot is 95 percent effective.

According to federal data, over 366 million doses of Pfizer’s original coronavirus vaccine were administered in the US. The legal action contends that Pfizer's efficacy analysis released in November 2020, indicating a 95 percent effectiveness against Covid-19, was achieved in a "technical, and artificial way."

Paxton asserted, "We are pursuing justice for the people of Texas, many of whom were coerced by tyrannical vaccine mandates to take a defective product sold by lies." 

“The facts are clear. Pfizer did not tell the truth about their COVID-19 vaccines,” he continued. “Whereas the Biden Administration weaponized the pandemic to force illegal public health decrees on the public and enrich pharmaceutical companies, I will use every tool I have to protect our citizens who were misled and harmed by Pfizer’s actions.”

Alleged violations of Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act

The lawsuit alleges five violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and accuses Pfizer of using social media to "intimidate" and "silence prominent truth-tellers." Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, a Pfizer board member, is singled out for allegedly flagging posts that questioned the vaccine's efficacy.

Paxton’s suit demands that Pfizer be barred from "making representations about the efficacy of its COVID-19 vaccine" and from "coordinating with social media platforms to silence truthful speech about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine efficacy." Additionally, the suit seeks $10,000 in civil penalties for each alleged violation and additional awards of restitution.

Responding to the lawsuit, Pfizer said in a statement, “Pfizer is deeply committed to the well-being of the patients it serves and has no higher priority than the safety and effectiveness of its treatments and vaccines."

"Since its initial authorization by FDA in December 2020, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to more than 1.5 billion people, demonstrated a favorable safety profile in all age groups, and helped protect against severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and death," it continued

"The representations made by the company about its COVID-19 vaccine have been accurate and science-based. The company believes that the state’s case has no merit and will respond to the petition in court in due course,” Pfizer added, according to The Hill.

Internet bashes Paxton

Pfizer fans took to social media to criticize Paxton for his lawsuit against the pharmaceutical giant.

"Ken Paxton is an embarrassment to Texas. Apparently, he's continuing that tradition with this lawsuit," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Here goes the indicted crook spending taxpayer money on useless lawsuits again. Does he ever do anything for Texans?" another wrote.

"Anything to keep the focus off of his trial and corruption investigation," a comment read.

"How long are Texas voters going to allow Ken Paxton to use taxpayer money to file frivolous lawsuits?" someone else asked.

"I think Pfizer needs to sue the AG like Dominion sued Fox," another offered.