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demmiblue

(36,744 posts)
Thu May 7, 2020, 07:44 AM May 2020

When Trump covered for China's alleged coronavirus coverup

President Trump’s campaign began its 2020 effort against Joe Biden last month with a highly deceptive ad aimed at arguing Biden was too soft on China.

But now, a new revelation reinforces just how soft Trump was on China when it arguably mattered most — at the start of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump was advised twice in January to press China to be more transparent about the outbreak in Wuhan. But Trump ignored it:

Early this year, several of Mr. Trump’s political advisers inside and outside the campaign urged him to take on China more directly, which they argued would have bipartisan appeal. One idea they suggested was a special commission to investigate the origins of the virus and whether Beijing responded sufficiently to control the outbreak.

Mr. Trump twice declined suggestions from his team in January to press [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping] for more transparency about the virus’s causes and symptoms, in one case saying that the criticism could cause Beijing to be less helpful, said White House officials.


In fact, Trump didn’t just decline the suggestions; he actually went in the opposite direction. Trump repeatedly praised China’s coronavirus response through late February. And on two different occasions, he actually vouched for China’s transparency, despite the advice.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/05/07/when-trump-covered-chinas-alleged-coronavirus-coverup/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wp_politics&tid=sm_tw_pol
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When Trump covered for China's alleged coronavirus coverup (Original Post) demmiblue May 2020 OP
"On behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi" dalton99a May 2020 #1

dalton99a

(81,065 posts)
1. "On behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi"
Thu May 7, 2020, 09:00 AM
May 2020
Trump did so voluntarily on Jan. 24, tweeting, “The United States greatly appreciates [China’s] efforts and transparency.” He was then asked directly on Feb. 7 whether he was “concerned that China is covering up the full extent of coronavirus.” He said flatly, “No. … They’re working really hard, and I think they are doing a very professional job.”

China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020
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