Herman Cain, a pizza business magnate who unsuccessfully ran for the 2012 Republican Party nomination for president, has died Thursday due to complications from coronavirus.
Cain had tested positive for COVID-19 on June 29. Just two days later, he was hospitalized after developing “serious” symptoms of the disease, according to a message that appeared on his Twitter account in early July.
“There is no way of knowing for sure how or where Mr. Cain contracted the coronavirus,” a statement on Cain’s website said about his hospitalization.
Cain, an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, had attended a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, held by the president on June 20. The event was widely criticized for not enforcing social distancing recommendations, as many participants, Cain included, were seen not wearing masks or observing six-feet distancing standards to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Here’s just a few of the #BlackVoicesForTrump at tonight’s rally! Having a fantastic time!#TulsaRally2020 #Trumptulsa #TulsaTrumprally #MAGA #Trump2020 #Trump2020Landslide pic.twitter.com/27mUzkg7kL
— The Cain Gang (@THEHermanCain) June 20, 2020
While it’s not clear whether Cain became ill from the disease due to the rally, his diagnosis and hospitalization would fit a timeline of him doing so around the date that it happened. Tulsa health officials have said that large events, like Trump’s campaign rally, likely facilitated a spike in cases of coronavirus in the county where it was held.
At least eight campaign staffers contracted the disease after the event was held, and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who was in attendance without a mask on as well, also tested positive for it.
Cain, a staunch conservative who was supported by the Koch brothers over the years, entered the race for president in 2011, hoping to be the Republican choice for the election against then-President Barack Obama the following year. However, a series of sexual harassment allegations prompted him to drop out of the race before the first primary election.
Our most important fundraising appeal of the year
December is the most critical time of year for Truthout, because our nonprofit news is funded almost entirely by individual donations from readers like you. So before you navigate away, we ask that you take just a second to support Truthout with a tax-deductible donation.
This year is a little different. We are up against a far-reaching, wide-scale attack on press freedom coming from the Trump administration. 2025 was a year of frightening censorship, news industry corporate consolidation, and worsening financial conditions for progressive nonprofits across the board.
We can only resist Trump’s agenda by cultivating a strong base of support. The right-wing mediasphere is funded comfortably by billionaire owners and venture capitalist philanthropists. At Truthout, we have you.
We’ve set an ambitious target for our year-end campaign — a goal of $250,000 to keep up our fight against authoritarianism in 2026. Please take a meaningful action in this fight: make a one-time or monthly donation to Truthout before December 31. If you have the means, please dig deep.