Trump on Wednesday defended dealing with of the virus, which has killed greater than 1,90,000 in US(FILE)
Washington:
US President Donald Trump acknowledged in February he knew how lethal and contagious the novel coronavirus was however didn’t convey that info to the American individuals as a result of he didn’t wish to create a panic, in accordance with Trump interviews cited in a brand new ebook.
The recorded interviews, obtained by CNN and based mostly on a brand new ebook titled “Rage” by journalist Bob Woodward, got here out simply weeks earlier than the November three presidential election and as Trump’s efforts to battle COVID-19 have come underneath intense criticism as being too little too late.
The Republican president, who has been hammered by Democratic opponent Joe Biden over the sluggish US authorities response to the coronavirus, performed down the virus for months because it took maintain and unfold rapidly throughout the nation.
“I needed to at all times play it down,” Trump instructed Woodward on March 19, days after he declared a nationwide emergency. “I nonetheless like taking part in it down, as a result of I do not wish to create a panic.”
In that dialog, Trump additionally instructed Woodward that some “startling info” had simply come out concerning the virus’ targets: “It is not simply previous, older. Younger individuals too, loads of younger individuals.”
Trump on Wednesday defended his dealing with of the virus, which has killed greater than 1,90,000 individuals in the US thus far, with new circumstances spiking within the Midwest.
“The very fact is I am a cheerleader for this nation. I like our nation and I do not need individuals to be frightened,” Trump stated at a White Home occasion
“We have executed properly from any normal,” he added.
In response to the interviews, CNN and The Washington Put up reported, Trump knew the virus was particularly lethal in early February.
“It goes via the air,” Trump stated in a recording of a Feb. 7 interview with Woodward. “That is at all times more durable than the contact. You do not have to the touch issues. Proper? However the air, you simply breathe the air and that is the way it’s handed.
“And in order that’s a really difficult one. That is a really delicate one. It is also extra lethal than even your strenuous flus.”
Per week after that interview, Trump stated at a White Home briefing that the variety of US coronavirus circumstances “inside a pair days goes to be down near zero.”
Some Senate Republicans defended Trump’s coronavirus response on Wednesday.
“His actions of shutting the financial system down had been the appropriate actions,” Trump ally Lindsey Graham stated. “And I believe the tone throughout that point form of spoke for itself.”
Woodward carried out 18 interviews with Trump for the ebook, as a result of be launched Sept 15.
Different revelations within the ebook embrace Trump’s disparaging remarks about U.S. army leaders. He drew criticism this week following studies that he denigrated fallen army personnel and veterans.
In Woodward’s ebook, an aide to former Protection Secretary James Mattis heard Trump say in a gathering, “my f—ing generals are a bunch of pussies” as a result of they cared extra about alliances than commerce offers. Mattis requested the aide to doc the remark in an electronic mail, CNN reported.
Relating to the Black Lives Matter motion, Woodward requested Trump his views on the idea of white privilege and whether or not he feels remoted by that privilege from the plight of Black Individuals.
“No. You actually drank the Kool-Support, did not you? Simply take heed to you,” Trump replied, in accordance with media studies on the ebook. “Wow. No, I do not really feel that in any respect.”
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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