11 times Donald Trump downplayed the coronavirus

President Donald Trump has consistently underplayed the severity of the coronavirus and its impact on the country over the past few months. And who has comes to his defense? Vice President Mike Pence! Chris Cillizza runs through some of the top moments President Trump has belittled the threat of coronavirus.

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING:
Pence seeks to blame CDC and China for any delay in US coronavirus response -- not Trump's initial failure to face reality
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/01/politics/mike-pence-coronavirus/index.html

Trump uses China as a foil when talking coronavirus, distancing himself from criticism
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/20/coronavirus-trump-blames-china-distancing-himself-fallout/2876983001/

Trump Defends Closing Borders to Travelers to Fight Coronavirus
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/02/us/politics/trump-super-bowl-interview-coronavirus.html

April 5 coronavirus news
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-04-05-20/index.html

February 26 coronavirus news
https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-02-26-20-intl-hnk/index.html

Trump again downplays coronavirus by comparing it to the seasonal flu. It’s not a fair comparison.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/24/trump-again-downplays-coronavirus-by-comparing-it-seasonal-flu-its-not-fair-comparison/

FACT CHECK: Trump Compares Coronavirus To The Flu, But It Could Be 10 Times Deadlier
https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/03/24/820797301/fact-check-trump-compares-coronavirus-to-the-flu-but-they-are-not-the-same

Trump says a nationwide coronavirus stay-home order was discussed – but is ‘pretty unlikely’ for now
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/30/coronavirus-trump-says-a-nationwide-stay-home-order-was-discussed-but-unlikely.html

Brazilian president's press secretary tests positive for coronavirus, days after meeting Trump
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/12/americas/brazil-bolsonaro-coronavirus-aide-scli-intl/index.html

US coronavirus death toll reaches 61 as cities, states close bars and other venues
https://abcnews.go.com/US/coronavirus-live-updates-passengers-stuck-long-lines-airports/story?id=69602911

The 30 most outrageous lines from Donald Trump's interview with Sean Hannity
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/27/politics/donald-trump-sean-hannity-coronavirus-china/index.html

President Trump’s Prime-Time Pandemic
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/arts/television/trump-coronavirus-briefing.html

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I was named "best dressed" in 7th grade. That, along with being CNN's editor at large and author of the daily "Point" newsletter are my proudest achievements. Look for me here every Tuesday and Thursday to find out what’s really going down in politics.

CREDITS
Writer: Chris Cillizza
The Point team: Leigh Munsil and Allison Gordon
Editor: Michelle Cho
Producer: Arielle Sacks

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