WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump seemed to understand the severity of the coronavirus threat even as he was telling the nation that the virus was no worse than the seasonal flu and insisting that the U.S. government had it totally under control, according to a new book by journalist Bob Woodward.
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“You just breathe the air and that’s how it’s passed,” Trump said in a Feb. 7 call with Woodward. “And so that’s a very tricky one. That’s a very delicate one. It’s also more deadly than even your strenuous flu.”
“This is deadly stuff,” the president repeated for emphasis.
Trump told Woodward on March 19 that he deliberately minimized the danger. “I wanted to always play it down,” the president said.
The Washington Post, where Woodward serves as associate editor, reported excerpts of the book, “Rage” on Wednesday, as did CNN. The book also covers race relations, diplomacy with North Korea and a range of other issues that have arisen during the past two years.
The book is based in part on 18 interviews that Woodward conducted with Trump between December and July. he book is an unwelcome return to focus on Trump’s handling of the pandemic just as he is trying to project the virus as under control and eager to see a return to normal activity leading up to the Nov. 3 presidential election.
“Trump never did seem willing to fully mobilize the federal government and continually seemed to push problems off on the states,” Woodward writes. “There was no real management theory of the case or how to organize a massive enterprise to deal with one of the most complex emergencies the United States had ever faced.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president’s words to the public were designed to express confidence and calm at a time of insurmountable challenges.
“The president has never lied to the American public on COVID. The president was expressing calm and his actions reflect that,” McEnany said.
McEnany took questions about the book during a briefing at the White House on Wednesday. She said his actions reflect that he took COVID-19 seriously. She noted that the president put in place travel restrictions with China on Jan. 31 and that some Democrats had criticized the move.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the president’s comments to Woodward connoted weakness and a disdain for science.
“What he was actually saying is, ‘I don’t want anybody to think anything like this happened on my watch so I’m not going to call any more attention to it,” Pelosi said during an interview on MSNBC.
Woodward’s book is his second on the Trump White House. The first, published in 2018, portrayed Trump in an unflattering light, and the president fumed at staff that he was not interviewed for it, according to two former White House officials and Republicans close to the White House. They were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations and discussed the matter on condition of anonymity.
Trump was convinced that had he talked to Woodward, he could have led to a more favorable depiction in the book, according to the officials. Trump had always held Woodward in high regard — he considered the journalist as the biggest star in the field — and told aides that he insisted on being interviewed if Woodward were to write again, the officials said.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden seized on the book’s allegations that Trump played down the threat of the virus to the public but knew the dangers it posed. Biden called Trump’s handling of the pandemic “beyond despicable.”
“It’s a dereliction of duty. It’s a disgrace,” Biden said.
The tapes are irrefutable evidence that Trump knew the seriousness of the virus, lied about it and continued to hold super spreader MAGA rallies
Politicizing the deadly virus for his own benefit, on tape, in his own coarse words. 200,000 DEAD, 500,000 children infected, 6 million+ infected in USA, worst in entire planet. He said he ‘won’t take responsibility’ and pushes no masks, more deaths. Families of those affected are not voting for this horrible Orange Clown.
What a jerk! So he knew this virus was deadly, early February, THOUSANDS of lives could have been saved it we only knew about the virus back then. Trump is finnished. He is crazy alone just for doing this interview. You would think he wants to lose.
I am neither shocked nor appalled, I just wish for one tiny clarification. For all the MAGA and KAGA acolytes here;
What is the line Trump would need to cross? What is the lie he would need to tell? What is the behavior he would need to show, before any of you begin to doubt his fitness for office?
Forgetting Hillary, and Uncle Joe, and Demon-rats, and Nancy Pelosi is the Devil’s Sister. Is it really so, that were he to shoot someone on Fifth Avenue in broad daylight, his supporters would indeed still carry his water and believe he was Heaven sent to save us from… From what, the terrible plight of the world that has come to us in the past 12 months, under his watch…?
Trump is a whistleblower on Trump. 18. Tapes. I am sure Ami, Mishpacha, Bina will cover it. They should it is Trump’s word.
Another witness to the crime, a Woodward from WAPO, said he heard the president offer a deal to the virus, “if you help me get re-elected I will not seek a vaccine against you, and if the Democrats find one using science, I will pardon you later, don’t worry”.
Today’s News The president Is on tape saying he lied to the American people about the severity of the Coronavirus and we have a senior DHS official saying he was ordered to lie about the extent of Russia’s interference in the current 2020 election. Told to play up China and Iran inteference, downplay the severity of white nationalist, and change intelligence to reflect what Trump was saying about Antifa.
Surprising no one but archy
What does Archy have say after hearing the tapes?
How many would have protected themselves if he shared the info he had? How many died that didn’t need to? What Did Archy know and when? Who is more evil – Archy or Trump?
There is a big difference between “staying calm” to avoid panic and lying about a disease that he knew would kill people! For those about to start the “whatabout Coumo and whatabout Pelosi” shtick . . . Trump is the only one on tape admitting he knew how dangerous it was in Feb.
Archy, you must be so proud to have helped spread these lies back in Feb (remember? “It will be gone by Peasach”? How many deaths are you responsible for Archy? Yet you continue to spew your ignorance throughout the Frum Velt and, just like your orange avodah zarah, accept no responsibilty!
It.Is.On.Tape!
Fool .
You croaked the same dreck against Trump when Russian Koluuuzzion happened.
You’ re still here ?
Don’t you get a HORSE throat ever ??
Clown.
You can see there’s an idiot vote out there.
Looting, murder , slander , shutdown of businesses , and because Trump said he doesn’t want panic , these idiots themselves are panicking.
He did everything right.
Now , WHERE’S
CUOMO THE MURDERER ??
The people whom Trump fired for great reasons are the dogs behind these stupid attacks.
It’s the Donald in a 50 state blowout !!
Fear mongering killed thousands of ppl, if not for the extra drama, we would have had enough nurses ages 23 to 35 that would do their jobs fully, but when you tell them that you might die even your young with no prior health condition, why should they commit suicide. And so thousands died till the hospitals got enoughmasks,protective masks, etc
Fraud Fauci , eminent scientist , lunatic, advised that we should wear no masks , and chomp down in public , no problem as late as March 24.
Witch Pelosi , the shredder, quacked that we yoyos should swallow Chinese food at carnivals.dePlatzio urged mingling , then rioting as dogpacks . Kwomoho , the cadaver face , murdered grandparents.
Don’t panic America.
It’s a European virus , says the mobster NY guv..
WHERES YOUR MASK PLASTIC FACE ?
400,00 New Yorkers fleeing.
Thousands from Jersey fleeing.
Our cities destroyed.
But Trump is the problem.
Der Sturmer TDS thugs now spitting hit pieces 2x daily.
We expected this , and everything is backfiring.
12 more golden years.
Creating panic and fear is not the sign of a leader. President Trump was correct in his approach. If Hillary was President, pant suit and back brace, it would of been an even worse disaster.
Stink in your own excrement. Depraved mobsters parsing words into scandals.
The barbarians are already in our gates.
Vote demented Joe and a gal who was 1st to drop out of dem primary because nobody likes her.
Feb 24 _ Pelosi says eat in Chinatown.
All democrats said not to worry.
Trump was honest with Creep Woodward , and now it’s the latest bomb.
More Indies going Trump..
Fauci _ Feb. 29 _ go to malls , don’t change anything , risk is low.
He praised the president that he did everything right.
Egats. Can’t wait for Sleepy Joe to bring this up at the debate. Just kidding, you know there won’t be a debate. Haaaaa.
Moishe jealous of Trump rallies. His boy draws 2 pedestrians , moishe knows that. Moishe knows the deal.Right, Moishee ?
Trump figures he can lie about anything or do anything he wants and his supporters will anyways decide he was the best and did the best job. In his own words he said he could shoot someone on 5th avenue and get away with it. Seems his actions as President is clear evidence that his supporters do not care what he actually does or say (as long as they think he is sticking it to Democrats). Trump’s presidency is built on hate and lies.
Big phat elephant hovering ; Biden is incoherent and is medicated daily while some hussy called Kamela is being held on a leash too.
Now, THAT’S panic.
Lol, this guy here belched the same stink until corona hit. He’s here every 20 minutes with oration that Trump is finished.
Yes, the hussy collecting donations for felon bail money so that they can rob and beat people on the streets and in their homes.
If Bob Woodward interviewed Trump in February and was told about the seriousness of the virus, why did Bob Woodward not report it at that time?
Want to live, want bubbie and zaidy to live don’t vote for Trump
The orange turd claims he didn’t want to spread panic by saying early in February how bad the virus really is. Yet, this charlatan did not issue any Federal guidance from the CDC until March 15. Now, to all the heimishe Trumpies here ask yourself this one question, how many yidden could’ve possibly saved had these guidelines been issued back in February?? I’m not a Biden or a Harris fan or even a Democrat but trump is mamesh a selfish rotzeach for withholding this info when he already knew how serious this was!
General Mattis is a homo traitor. Prepare the chair.
July 23 :
Biden hit out at Trump for referring to the coronavirus as “China virus” and “Kung flu”. “Look what he’s doing now,” Biden said. “He’s blaming everything on China. . . . He’s using it as a wedge.”
Referring to Trump’s flight stoppage and correct response to China.
A brain addled liar and KKK sympathizer.
Biden , Jan 28 :
“But I want to take a moment to say it’s not a time to panic about coronavirus, but coronavirus is a serious public health challenge.”
The President has denounced China for downplaying the virus.
The President or any leader needs to keep the country calm. FDR during the Depression told people that the only thing they have to fear it fear itself. Did that statement calm anyone down or because he was their savior FDR that it was a great speech. How about Woodward releasing this book 6 months ago to alert everyone to what the President said. This is another political ht job. Woodward, the great reporter who uncovered Watergate – where was he or is with obamagate? His motives are clearly suspect, to say the least. Waiting for the next “bombshell” coming out any minute!!!!
PS the guy with the statistics above must be working with biden on his campaign. biden claims 7000 military men died from covid – it’s actually 7. But what does one expect reading from a teleprompter. I can’t even fathom what life would STILL be like 6 months later with the prior administration in office. Don’t forget the H1N1 virus during that administration allowed approximately 60000 to die. They didn’t do anything for 6 months and emptied all PPE related supplies when they (finally) left office.
“He really is got a lot of blood on his hands,” Dr. Zeke Emanuel says of Pres. Trump. Many people ended up dying needlessly because of the way he managed the government, and encouraged people to do things that we know increase the transmission rate.
Trump hating turds:
He had a medical team working 20 hrs a day… sent ventilators and hospital boats which were surplus… tests … masks… EVERYTHING POSSIBLE.
YOU PEOPLE ARE A DISGRACE !!! WHAT’S BIDEN’S PLAN ?? HE’S BEEN THERE SINCE METHUSALEH… LIARS CREEPS..
The American people are seeing .. tens of thousands greeting Trump on tarmac in PA.
ITS GONNA BE A BURIAL RATHER THAN A LANDSLIDE .YOU PEOPLE ARE DEPRESSED MISERABLE HATERS.
Are you nuts ?!!!!??
He said he didn’t want to panic the country.
So what ????
Meantime , he locked China travel and Fowwchee himself said he followed advice , if though Fouwchee the AIDES thug contradicted himself.
You guys are off the wall.????
The country panicked in the beginning and you couldn’t get water , toilet paper or sanitizers because the filthy press was pushing panic.
You have nithing , you NEVER had anything .
You’re a desperate bunch because your depraved insane Biden and his giggling Kamala are flopping like pancakes ..
MAGA