“I don’t take responsibility at all,” said Trump in the face of a public health emergency that devastated households, disrupted businesses, and began to take American lives four years ago. Trump nonsensically blamed former president Barack Obama for the spread of COVID-19.
By March 14, 2020, there were 2,898 cases of and 60 deaths related to COVID-19 in the U.S. under Trump’s leadership.
“Trump’s disastrous early response to COVID-19 allowed the disease to spread and contributed to preventable deaths. Instead of following science and the guidance of experts, Trump followed his own ego and put himself ahead of the safety of Americans. There is no question that our lives were worse off four years ago than they are today under President Biden. We cannot go back to the chaos we experienced under Trump’s failed leadership,” said American Bridge 21st Century communications director of presidential campaigns, Brandon Weathersby.
Trump’s Administration Failed to Deliver a Sufficient Early Response to Coronavirus:
- Congressional leaders immediately expressed concern the emergency aid sought by the Trump administration was insufficient to address the coronavirus crisis.
- In the early weeks of the crisis, Trump’s administration was unable to answer basic questions about the coronavirus outbreak including how many cases of coronavirus had been repatriated back to the United States or how the disease was spread.
- In late February, White House National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow falsely said that the U.S. had “contained” the threat of a domestic coronavirus outbreak, breaking with the warnings of officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Also in February, Trump claimed, “When 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.” and claimed COVID-19 was a “hoax” created by Democrats to beat him electorally.
- Trump’s chief of staff echoed the president’s conspiracy claiming the media covered the public health emergency to “bring down the president.”
- As the disease continued to spread across the country in early March, Trump dismissed the coronavirus as a serious threat and accused the World Health Organization of spreading a false coronavirus death rate.
- Also in early March, Vice President Mike Pence, who was the head of the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis, admitted that the administration didn’t have enough tests to meet the demand and keep Americans safe.
American Bridge’s “This F*cking Guy” campaign is reminding voters of key moments from Trump’s presidency as he pursues the GOP nomination in 2024. Our Trump Research Book is up-to-date with COVID-19-era research to help tell the full story about Trump’s failed COVID-19 response and make the case against allowing his incompetence to inhabit the White House once again.
Published: Mar 14, 2024 | Last Modified: Mar 20, 2024