Tag: Trump politicizing coronavirus

The Memo: Political trench warfare colors views on coronavirus

The Hill logoThe nation’s response to the coronavirus crisis is being complicated by political polarization in general and the divisiveness of President Trump in particular.

The gravest public health crisis in at least a century could be more effectively addressed if there was widespread agreement as to the basic facts at issue.

But, instead, Trump’s history of misstatements dogs every claim he makes, even as his critics are prone to dismiss anything he says. Trump’s most loyal supporters are equally likely to disregard any dissenting view. Continue reading.

Trump Accuses Media and Democrats of Exaggerating Coronavirus Threat

New York Times logoThe accusations came as other elements of the federal government moved to head off a broader wave of infections like those in China.

WASHINGTON — President Trump and members of his administration mobilized on Friday to confront the threat of the coronavirus — not just the outbreak, but the news media and the Democrats they accused of exaggerating its danger.

While stock markets tumbled, companies searched for new supply chains and health officials scrambled to prevent a spread of the virus, Mr. Trump and his aides, congressional allies and backers in the conservative media sought to blame the messenger and the political opposition in the latest polarizing moment in the nation’s capital.

Mr. Trump said that news outlets like CNN were “doing everything they can to instill fear in people,” while some Democrats were “trying to gain political favor by saying a lot of untruths.” His acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, went even further, telling conservative activists that journalists were hyping the coronavirus because “they think this will bring down the president; that’s what this is all about.” Continue reading.