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President Donald Trump knew Covid-19 was deadlier than the flu earlier than it hit the US however wanted to play down the disaster, in accordance to a brand new book.
Bob Woodward, the journalist who broke the Watergate scandal, interviewed Mr Trump 18 instances from December to July.
Mr Trump advised him the virus was “lethal stuff” earlier than the primary US loss of life was confirmed, later including he wanted to “play it down” to keep away from inflicting panic.
The president has beforehand known as the book a “faux”.
Mr Trump tweeted in August: “The Bob Woodward book will likely be a FAKE, as all the time, simply as lots of the others have been.”
He additionally known as the storied reporter a “social pretender”, “who by no means has something good to say”.
On Wednesday, some US media launched elements of the interviews between the president and the journalist, revealing his reported remarks on the pandemic in addition to race and different points.
Listed below are a few of the key quotes so removed from Rage, which will likely be launched on 15 September.
On the virus
In interviews with Woodward, Mr Trump indicated that he knew extra concerning the severity of the sickness than he had mentioned publicly.
In accordance to a tape of the decision, Mr Trump advised Woodward in February that the coronavirus was deadlier than the flu.
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“That is 5 p.c versus one p.c and fewer than one p.c. You understand? So, that is lethal stuff.”
Later that month, Mr Trump promised the virus was “very a lot below management”, and that the case depend would quickly be shut to zero. He additionally implied the flu was extra harmful than Covid-19.
Talking on Capitol Hill on 10 March, Mr Trump mentioned: “Simply keep calm. It would go away.”
9 days later, days after the White Home declared the pandemic a nationwide emergency, the president advised Woodward: “I wanted to all the time play it down. I nonetheless like enjoying it down, as a result of I do not need to create a panic.”
- From 2018: Woodward on Trump – the explosive quotes
Responding to reporters’ questions on the book on Wednesday, White Home press secretary Kayleigh McEnany mentioned the president had all the time been “clear-eyed” concerning the disaster.
“The president by no means downplayed the virus, as soon as once more,” she mentioned.
“The president expressed calm. The president was critical about this…and he was taking early motion.”
On race
When Woodward introduced up the Black Lives Matter protests in a dialog on 19 June, suggesting that “white, privileged” individuals like themselves ought to work to perceive how black People really feel.
“You actually drank the Kool-Assist, did not you?” Mr Trump mentioned. “Simply pay attention to you.”
The nationwide protests in opposition to police brutality and racism have been sparked by George Floyd’s loss of life in Could.
Mr Trump additionally repeated the suggestion that he had accomplished extra for African-People than any president except for Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery.
Later, on eight July, Mr Trump once more reiterated that he had “accomplished an incredible quantity for the black neighborhood” however was “not feeling any love”.
