Gosar used the term "coronavirus" repeatedly and exclusively until he was personally exposed to it (in part because Trump fucked up the response to keep the "numbers" where they are). Now he calls it the "Wuhan virus." mobile.twitter.com/search?q=(Wuha…
Others probably tracked this all along. My read based on quick googling is that back in Jan and early Feb when the crisis was centered in China, some experts and reporters used the term "Wuhan virus" in a good-faith, non-incendiary way.
They seem to have retired that usage as the disease spread globally. Naturally American conservatives like Gosar and Pompeo embraced it once Trump botched the response, deflecting accountability for Trump's failure with incitement and race hatred.
Yup, the memo to do racist scapegoating sure seems to have gone out.
When Republicans pretend to be outraged that people have called their transparently racist scapegoating racist, reporters don't HAVE to pretend to believe them.
If you received talking points from any GOP office, committee, institution, or affiliate driving this messaging, my DMs are open, email in bio.
