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In reply to the discussion: He didn't downplay the Covid19 threat. [View all]radius777
(3,767 posts)17. Trump uses word salads to spread conspiracies and dogwhistles.
He clearly intended to convey that the virus itself was a hoax perpetuated by Democrats and others who were trying to 'damage' him.
When it became apparent the virus was spreading, he then shifted to the 'Chinese intentionally created the virus in a lab to destroy me' meme.
IOW, all of his framing is about how bad the virus is for him - he couldn't care less about the pandemic and the deaths and would just as well pretend it doesn't exist. (which really is the same sentiment that drives the anti-maskers).
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He never literally called covid a hoax. He certainly downplayed it, though.
thesquanderer
Sep 2020
#14
Exactly. As you posted, "Trump did not call the coronavirus itself a hoax."
thesquanderer
Sep 2020
#26
he didn't have to: his surrogate limbaugh called it a hoax for two months from 600 stations
certainot
Sep 2020
#31
The dirty prick used it to benefit him politically and then weaponized it against his opponents...
WyattKansas
Sep 2020
#24
Even worse, he vehemently argued FOR behavior that would worsen the pandemic.
Nevilledog
Sep 2020
#43
Fkn lowlife lying orange POS...so many people who were alive in January would likely still
iluvtennis
Sep 2020
#58