‘General Hospital’: COVID-19 Vaccine Drama Comes to an End With Ingo Rademacher’s Departure
General Hospital has been embroiled in drama related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. The soap opera is implementing a vaccine mandate for its actors, but there have been some critics who oppose this.
One person who has been outspoken about not having a mandate is Ingo Rademacher (Jasper “Jax” Jacks). However, it seems this drama might be coming to an end now that Rademacher reportedly left the show.
Ingo Rademacher has been an outspoken critic of vaccine mandates
Rademacher is often open about his conservative political views, including his opposition to vaccine mandates.
In August, he promoted a “No Vaccine Passport” rally in Santa Monica on his Instagram Story, which came after two General Hospital stars tested positive for COVID-19. Fans quickly trended the hashtag #FireIngo and called for Rademacher to be fired from the show with the argument that his political activism is endangering the health of other cast members.
Rademacher told Showbiz Cheat Sheet via a statement that he is not “anti-vaccine.” However, he supports the “freedom to choose what’s best for you.”
Afterward, Rademacher posted a video in which he called his critics “morons,” “bigots,” and “horrible” people. On Nov. 7, Rademacher also posted a photo with the caption, “I will stand with you to fight for medical freedom.”
Rademacher’s political posts have received pushback from fans. Most General Hospital cast members do not challenge him publicly, but actor Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is an outspoken Democrat who has made tweets condemning Rademacher’s views on vaccine mandates.
Ingo Rademacher recently left ‘General Hospital’
The controversy surrounding a vaccine mandate on General Hospital has made headlines many times these past few months. However, it could all soon come to an end.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rademacher has left the show. A source alleged he “was let go after not complying with the production’s COVID vaccine mandate.”
Meanwhile, an insider told The Wrap that Rademacher left General Hospital “an unspecified amount of time ago.”
Ingo Rademacher’s departure news came after he made a transphobic post
Rademacher is also in the hot seat after posting an anti-transgender meme on Instagram. The post misgenders Dr. Rachel Levine, the assistant secretary for health and a transgender woman.
Cassandra James (Terry Randolph), a transgender actor, slammed Rademacher on Twitter, writing, “Shame on you. You have some serious unlearning and education to do. I feel deeply disappointed that such a public display of ignorance could come from our GH family.”
A few other actors supported James, including Grahn, who wrote in response, “Transphobia & misgendering are disgusting & should be unacceptable in any industry, including soaps/acting. I stand with my costar, [Cassandra James], & the trans community.”
Meanwhile, Rademacher posted a video on Instagram in which he defended the meme. The actor also told James, “I think you’re an absolute talent and you’re very beautiful as well; I don’t think a transphobic man would say that.”
