Watch: Shaheen’s Denial on Illegal Immigrant Health Care Sparks Viral TV Moment

CONCORD, NH — U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) went viral last week after a tense exchange on Fox & Friends in which she denied that Democrats support taxpayer-funded health coverage for illegal immigrants — a statement quickly challenged on air with past clips of Democratic presidential candidates raising their hands in favor of it.

Appearing on the Oct. 2 broadcast to discuss the looming government shutdown, Shaheen attempted to draw a contrast between congressional Republicans and the Biden administration, claiming Democrats are not pushing to expand benefits to those in the country illegally.

“I haven’t heard anybody in my party saying that illegal immigrants should get access to the health insurance market,” Shaheen said.

Host Lawrence Jones immediately pushed back. “I’m so glad you said that,” Jones replied. “I actually have some of your Democratic Party members saying this… They’ve all said it. Let’s play the clip.”

The program then aired footage from a 2019 Democratic primary debate where nearly every major candidate — including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Bernie Sanders — raised their hands in support of providing government health coverage to undocumented immigrants.

“This is literally every member of your party from moderate to more progressive who has said that in the past,” Jones said following the clip.

The exchange quickly spread across social media, with conservatives accusing Shaheen of misleading viewers about her party’s past positions. The viral clip was shared widely by GOP commentators and campaign operatives, some highlighting the moment as evidence of Democrats backpedaling on immigration-related spending amid a shutdown fight centered on border funding.

Republicans have pointed to the Biden administration’s recent moves — including proposals to extend Medicaid-style coverage to certain migrant children and pregnant women — as proof that taxpayer resources continue to flow toward noncitizens despite public assurances to the contrary.

The viral exchange underscores a broader challenge for Democrats as they attempt to defend federal spending levels during the shutdown standoff, while distancing themselves from unpopular positions on immigration and border security that have energized Republican messaging heading into 2026.