President Donald Trump welcomed a court decision that allows military funds to be used to build the US-Mexico border wall (AFP Photo/CHIP SOMODEVILLA)
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump gave a barely intelligible press conference on the coronavirus outbreak, during which he claimed he saved America by shutting down flights, appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead a coronavirus task force despite having few qualifications to do so, suggesting his public health budget cuts are no big deal because he can just hire more doctors later, and insisting that it was Democrats, rather than the epidemic, that tanked the stock market this week.
Commenters on social media laid into the president for his performance, blasting his lack of leadership and credibility:
Trump is describing a conversation he had now where he said "is the coronavirus just the flu?" *BANGS HEAD ON TABLE*— Elizabeth C. McLaughlin, Esq. (@Elizabeth C. McLaughlin, Esq.)1582762434.0
He’s back to marveling about the flu. HE IS ACTIVELY STUPID.— Jason Karsh (@Jason Karsh)1582762725.0
That answer from Trump on budget cuts may just be about the most absurd thing I've ever heard. They can hire doctor… https://t.co/DoxcpVVEEH— Sam Stein (@Sam Stein)1582762682.0
Ah, good, the guy whose policies as governor sparked an HIV outbreak in Indiana is on the case. Fantastic.— Kevin M. Kruse (@Kevin M. Kruse)1582760804.0
So the dude whose regressive policies lead to an HIV outbreak in Indiana is in charge of the coronavirus? Why not… https://t.co/FTJ4kdVCwy— 🎅🏿Imani Gandy Cane🎅🏿 (@🎅🏿Imani Gandy Cane🎅🏿)1582762494.0
Putting Mike Pence in charge of combating the corona virus is like putting Trump in charge of a teenage beauty page… https://t.co/Y31hffHzuQ— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈 (@Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈)1582763096.0
This has evolved into another Trump rally.— Kim F-M (@Kim F-M)1582762877.0
The deputy director of the CDC, a 30-year career official, is standing stoic, staring straight ahead, as Trump's co… https://t.co/6qpQ2Vn4cb— Josh Dawsey (@Josh Dawsey)1582762993.0
"This isn't about political advantage," the president says, after blaming the stock market tanking on the Democrati… https://t.co/YtqITYTvcm— Jon Ralston (@Jon Ralston)1582762260.0
Don’t worry, folks, the president of the US knows how to fix this pandemic thing: wash your hands a lot. The presid… https://t.co/RfEt8PFnA6— Charles Johnson (@Charles Johnson)1582763792.0
the flu epidemic of 1918 killed about 50 million people worldwide, more than 600,000 in the US. Keep that in mind… https://t.co/2ysJTDoeK5— ceut (@ceut)1582763291.0
Dow futures turned from positive to negative during Trump’s coronavirus news conference— John Harwood (@John Harwood)1582762724.0
Trump says "we will essentially have a flu shot for this in a fairly quick manner" . His top infectious diseases ex… https://t.co/SLxVN8lLSb— Chris Jansing (@Chris Jansing)1582763131.0
The level of ignorance, incoherence and incompetence on display at the WH podium right now is breathtaking.— Michael R. Bromwich (@Michael R. Bromwich)1582763107.0
Press conference in brief Expert: Spread of coronavirus inevitable Trump: I don't think it's inevitable Expert:… https://t.co/Rx1pMKbMLN— Chris Jansing (@Chris Jansing)1582763569.0
Well, that press conference is a total disaster We need a leader that’s going to address this no matter what the… https://t.co/ownBUHbPxv— wear a mask (@wear a mask)1582762834.0
Epidemics are one reason you want a meritocratic, apolitical civil service staffing your government, instead of a b… https://t.co/oom2NR2TXm— Adam Serwer 🍝 (@Adam Serwer 🍝)1582762428.0
