A timeline of Trump's Response to COVID-19 (@voxdotcom)
He repeatedly ignored security briefings for weeks & refused to begin a social distancing campaign until mid-March.
Jan 21: The first confirmed Covid-19 case is reported in Washington state.
vox.com/2020/6/8/21242…
He repeatedly ignored security briefings for weeks & refused to begin a social distancing campaign until mid-March.
Jan 21: The first confirmed Covid-19 case is reported in Washington state.
vox.com/2020/6/8/21242…
Jan 22: Trump: "We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It’s — going to be just fine."
"We do have a plan & we think it’s going to be handled very well. We’ve already handled it very well … We’re in very good shape."
"We do have a plan & we think it’s going to be handled very well. We’ve already handled it very well … We’re in very good shape."
Jan 30: The @WHO declares the coronavirus a global health emergency
Trump: "We have very little problem in this country at this moment — five [cases]. And those people are all recuperating successfully. But we’re working very closely with China and other countries."
Trump: "We have very little problem in this country at this moment — five [cases]. And those people are all recuperating successfully. But we’re working very closely with China and other countries."
Feb 26: Trump appoints Pence to lead the coronavirus task force; during the press conference, he again downplays the virus.
"You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done."
"You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done."
Feb 28: Trump refers to the coronavirus as the Democrats’ “new hoax” at a rally in S.C.
Mar 9: Trump compares the coronavirus to the common flu, which had already been debunked by Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Mar 11: The @WHO officially labels the coronavirus a pandemic.
Mar 9: Trump compares the coronavirus to the common flu, which had already been debunked by Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Mar 11: The @WHO officially labels the coronavirus a pandemic.
Mar 20: On the coronavirus
@PeterAlexander : What do you say to Americans watching right now who are scared?
Trump: I say that you are a terrible reporter. That is what I say. I think you had a nasty question.
@PeterAlexander : What do you say to Americans watching right now who are scared?
Trump: I say that you are a terrible reporter. That is what I say. I think you had a nasty question.
Mar 26: The U.S. hits 1,000 reported Covid-19 deaths.
April 6: 10,000 reported Covid-19 deaths.
April 15: 25,000 reported Covid-19 deaths.
April 6: 10,000 reported Covid-19 deaths.
April 15: 25,000 reported Covid-19 deaths.
April 17: As small groups of protesters demonstrating against shelter-in-place orders begin to receive media coverage, Trump calls on his supporters, including those who attended these protests, to “liberate” Michigan, Minnesota, & Virginia, all of which have Democratic governors
April 23: Trump signs an executive order blocking green cards for most categories of prospective immigrants; at a daily press briefing.
He also floats bleach as a potential coronavirus treatment.
He also floats bleach as a potential coronavirus treatment.
May 9: Although many states have yet to meet the minimum requirements for reopening based on the @WhiteHouse's guidelines, Trump continues to push for the reopening of nonessential businesses, using the slogan “TRANSITION TO GREATNESS!”
May 11: Trump says that the US has “met the moment and we have prevailed” in response to COVID-19 deaths at 80,000
May 18: He says he is taking hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug that has been linked to an increased risk of death when used to treat COVID-19 patients
May 18: He says he is taking hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug that has been linked to an increased risk of death when used to treat COVID-19 patients
May 23: For the first time since March, Trump hits the links at his own golf course in Sterling, Virginia, as the US death toll edges toward 100,000.
June 10: US COVID-19 Cases Reach 2 Million
June 10: US COVID-19 Cases Reach 2 Million
June 26: For the first time in 2 months, @WhiteHouse Coronavirus Task Force holds a briefing
July 6: 3 million known US coronavirus cases (@JohnsHopkins)
July 8: 131,000 people have died following a massive surge of new cases that has derailed efforts to restart the economy
July 6: 3 million known US coronavirus cases (@JohnsHopkins)
July 8: 131,000 people have died following a massive surge of new cases that has derailed efforts to restart the economy
July 9: 134,000 Americans have died of COVID-19
