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| Coronavirus US live: Trump rants at Pelosi and other politicians as deaths climb past 2,500 | Coronavirus US live: Trump rants at Pelosi and other politicians as deaths climb past 2,500 |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Figures compiled by researchers at Johns Hopkins University show US passed 2,500 deaths among nearly 143,000 confirmed cases | Figures compiled by researchers at Johns Hopkins University show US passed 2,500 deaths among nearly 143,000 confirmed cases |
| At least one Republian lawmaker is now suggesting Richard Burr should lose his chairmanship of the Senate intelligence committee because of his suspicious stock trades. | |
| Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida, a close Trump ally, said Republicans “need to do a better job cleaning our own house” after CNN reported the Justice Department is investigating the trades. | |
| Burr has called on the Senate ethics committee to investigate the trades, but the panel works slowly and is often reluctant to dole out any kind of punishment. | |
| The Justice Department is now reportedly investigating some lawmakers’ stock trades in the weeks before coronavirus wreaked havoc on US markets. | |
| ProPublica reported earlier this month that Republican senator Richard Burr dumped up to $1.7 million in stock last month, while he was receiving briefings on coronavirus. The transactions raised concerns that lawmakers were trying to profit off the pandemic. | |
| The Justice Department has reached out to Burr about the trades, according to CNN: | |
| Burr has claimed he relied on public reports to guide his stock trades and asked the Senate ethics committee to investigate the matter. | |
| Maryland Governor Larry Hogan warned the Washington metropolitan area could be in the “next wave of hotspots.” | |
| The governor told Fox News that coronavirus cases in the region have more than quadrupled over the past week. | |
| “We look a lot where New York was just a couple weeks ago,” the Maryland Republican said. | |
| Maryland has already seen more than 1,200 coronavirus cases and at least 15 deaths linked to the virus. | |
| Hogan is holding a press conference in about a half an hour to give further updates on the state’s response to the pandemic. | |
| Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin voiced support for providing hazard pay to medical professionals, an idea that Trump also entertained during his “Fox and Friends” interview this morning. | Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin voiced support for providing hazard pay to medical professionals, an idea that Trump also entertained during his “Fox and Friends” interview this morning. |
| “I think I agree with the president, I think that makes a lot of sense,” Mnuchin said of the proposal. “When we get to the next bill in Congress, that’s definitely something we will put in the next bill.” | “I think I agree with the president, I think that makes a lot of sense,” Mnuchin said of the proposal. “When we get to the next bill in Congress, that’s definitely something we will put in the next bill.” |
| During his Fox interview this morning, Trump took a question from a nurse named Wendy, who noted she does not qualify for the coronavirus stimulus bill. | During his Fox interview this morning, Trump took a question from a nurse named Wendy, who noted she does not qualify for the coronavirus stimulus bill. |
| Asked whether he had considered hazard pay, Trump said his administration is “looking at that” and urging hospitals to think about bonuses. | Asked whether he had considered hazard pay, Trump said his administration is “looking at that” and urging hospitals to think about bonuses. |
| Dr Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, predicted America would see 100,000 to 200,000 deaths linked to the virus. | Dr Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, predicted America would see 100,000 to 200,000 deaths linked to the virus. |
| “If we do things together well, almost perfectly, we could get in the range of 100,000 to 200,000 fatalities,” Birx told NBC News this morning. | “If we do things together well, almost perfectly, we could get in the range of 100,000 to 200,000 fatalities,” Birx told NBC News this morning. |
| Birx warned some Americans may not be taking social distancing guidelings as seriously as they should, saying, “The best-case scenario would be 100% of Americans doing precisely what is required, but we’re not sure … that all of America is responding in a uniform way to protect one another.” | Birx warned some Americans may not be taking social distancing guidelings as seriously as they should, saying, “The best-case scenario would be 100% of Americans doing precisely what is required, but we’re not sure … that all of America is responding in a uniform way to protect one another.” |
| Trump similarly said at his White House press conference yesterday that he would consider it a job well done if the US can keep the number of deaths to 100,000. | Trump similarly said at his White House press conference yesterday that he would consider it a job well done if the US can keep the number of deaths to 100,000. |
| “And so, if we could hold that down, as we’re saying, to 100,000 – it’s a horrible number, maybe even less, but to 100,000, so we have between 100 [thousand] and 200,000 – we altogether have done a very good job.” the president told reporters. | “And so, if we could hold that down, as we’re saying, to 100,000 – it’s a horrible number, maybe even less, but to 100,000, so we have between 100 [thousand] and 200,000 – we altogether have done a very good job.” the president told reporters. |
| The Navy hospital ship Comfort is arriving in New York, where it will help treat non-coronavirus patients as the city’s hopsitals grapple with the pandemic. | The Navy hospital ship Comfort is arriving in New York, where it will help treat non-coronavirus patients as the city’s hopsitals grapple with the pandemic. |
| Both the Comfort and the Mercy, which is now docked in Los Angeles, have 1,000 hospital beds and 12 operating rooms to attend to patients who are not infected with the virus. | Both the Comfort and the Mercy, which is now docked in Los Angeles, have 1,000 hospital beds and 12 operating rooms to attend to patients who are not infected with the virus. |
| The extra beds are desperately needed, especially in New York, where ICUs are already facing occupancy issues, even though the city has likely not yet hits its peak of coronavirus cases. | The extra beds are desperately needed, especially in New York, where ICUs are already facing occupancy issues, even though the city has likely not yet hits its peak of coronavirus cases. |
| This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Pengelly. | This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Pengelly. |
| Joe Biden has launched a new podcast, and the first episode is unsurprisingly about coronavirus and Trump’s response to the pandemic. | Joe Biden has launched a new podcast, and the first episode is unsurprisingly about coronavirus and Trump’s response to the pandemic. |
| The Democratic presidential candidate sat down with Ron Klain, his former chief of staff and the former White House Ebola response coordinator. | The Democratic presidential candidate sat down with Ron Klain, his former chief of staff and the former White House Ebola response coordinator. |
| In the interview, Biden spoke about his campaign suspending all in-person events in recent weeks amid the pandemic. “It’s just not worth it to go out there and take a chance at getting sick or further spreading the virus,” Biden said. | In the interview, Biden spoke about his campaign suspending all in-person events in recent weeks amid the pandemic. “It’s just not worth it to go out there and take a chance at getting sick or further spreading the virus,” Biden said. |
| The former vice president also issued a statement last night calling on Trump to use the Defense Production Act in the next 48 hours to speed up the production of medical supplies. | The former vice president also issued a statement last night calling on Trump to use the Defense Production Act in the next 48 hours to speed up the production of medical supplies. |
| One last question: how can we pray for you? | One last question: how can we pray for you? |
| Trump would love that, he says, he praises the evangelical communities, the communities of faith who “were on my side in the last election as you know”. | Trump would love that, he says, he praises the evangelical communities, the communities of faith who “were on my side in the last election as you know”. |
| The New York Times reported yesterday on coronavirus cases, fear and confusion among students at the evangelical Liberty University in Virginia, who were told to come back despite the public shutdown. | The New York Times reported yesterday on coronavirus cases, fear and confusion among students at the evangelical Liberty University in Virginia, who were told to come back despite the public shutdown. |
| Here’s our piece about how churchgoers all over the world are ignoring physical distancing advice: | Here’s our piece about how churchgoers all over the world are ignoring physical distancing advice: |
| How is the Trump family coping, Kilmeade asks. Trump says his son Barron, 14, is not unhappy with having to be schooled at home. | How is the Trump family coping, Kilmeade asks. Trump says his son Barron, 14, is not unhappy with having to be schooled at home. |
| Now Trump’s on to what he knows about Elmhurst hospital in his native Queens, in New York, and its “body bags and refrigerated trucks”. He discussed that in the Rose Garden yesterday. | Now Trump’s on to what he knows about Elmhurst hospital in his native Queens, in New York, and its “body bags and refrigerated trucks”. He discussed that in the Rose Garden yesterday. |
| Now we’re on to Trump’s end-of-day briefings, of which he is proud in terms of “ratings”. Asked what his message for the American people is right now, he says they are in for a “month of achievement” in the fight against coronavirus. | Now we’re on to Trump’s end-of-day briefings, of which he is proud in terms of “ratings”. Asked what his message for the American people is right now, he says they are in for a “month of achievement” in the fight against coronavirus. |
| The big thing is the coronavirus will be gone sooner or later, Trump says, and “hopefully we’ll keep the deaths down to the minimum number”. | The big thing is the coronavirus will be gone sooner or later, Trump says, and “hopefully we’ll keep the deaths down to the minimum number”. |
| Trump is asked again about possible drug treatments for Covid-19. | Trump is asked again about possible drug treatments for Covid-19. |
| “First of all we’re going to have a vaccine,” Trump says, although he then says “that’s not for right now.” | “First of all we’re going to have a vaccine,” Trump says, although he then says “that’s not for right now.” |
| He then returns to a subject from the Rose Garden, discussing an unnamed friend who is “heavy and not young” and is “in a coma”. | He then returns to a subject from the Rose Garden, discussing an unnamed friend who is “heavy and not young” and is “in a coma”. |
| Trump says he expects to have a good idea about the effectiveness of hydrochloroquinine, the antimalarial drug he has spoken about enthusiastically, “within three days” or so. | Trump says he expects to have a good idea about the effectiveness of hydrochloroquinine, the antimalarial drug he has spoken about enthusiastically, “within three days” or so. |
| Here’s Oliver Milman’s look at Trump’s enthusiasm for the drug and the problems with it: | Here’s Oliver Milman’s look at Trump’s enthusiasm for the drug and the problems with it: |
| Kilmeade asks if he will lift sanctions on Russia. “I put the sanctions on, Brian, no one else,” Trump says. It’s not true that Trump is the only person to have sanctioned Russia. | Kilmeade asks if he will lift sanctions on Russia. “I put the sanctions on, Brian, no one else,” Trump says. It’s not true that Trump is the only person to have sanctioned Russia. |
| A major rant on foreign policy ensues – Trump is proud that he speaks to US enemies, then goes off on a strange course about how Russia “lost 50m people in world war two” and “now we don’t talk to Russia, we talk to Germany”. | A major rant on foreign policy ensues – Trump is proud that he speaks to US enemies, then goes off on a strange course about how Russia “lost 50m people in world war two” and “now we don’t talk to Russia, we talk to Germany”. |
| The Fox hosts interrupt him and move on. | The Fox hosts interrupt him and move on. |
| Now we’re on to Saudi Arabia and Russia about oil. Trump says that “right after this call I’m talking to a gentleman called Vladimir Putin”, then complains about how he has always been right about the need to get along with Russia. | Now we’re on to Saudi Arabia and Russia about oil. Trump says that “right after this call I’m talking to a gentleman called Vladimir Putin”, then complains about how he has always been right about the need to get along with Russia. |
| Trump says he will talk to Putin about oil, about trade – hindered by the “nonsense that has been going on which has turned out to be a hoax”, meaning Robert Mueller’s report, above – and then he diverts to bragging about the strength of the US military. | Trump says he will talk to Putin about oil, about trade – hindered by the “nonsense that has been going on which has turned out to be a hoax”, meaning Robert Mueller’s report, above – and then he diverts to bragging about the strength of the US military. |
| He’ll also talk to Putin about the coronavirus. “That’s my next call,” he says. | He’ll also talk to Putin about the coronavirus. “That’s my next call,” he says. |
| Audience questions now. Trump is asked why airports are still open. He dodges the question. | Audience questions now. Trump is asked why airports are still open. He dodges the question. |
| An email from Wendy, an ER nurse who does not qualify for the stimulus bill. Has he considered hazard pay? “We’re looking at that,” Trump says. He salutes such “really brave people, in fact they’re warriors.” | An email from Wendy, an ER nurse who does not qualify for the stimulus bill. Has he considered hazard pay? “We’re looking at that,” Trump says. He salutes such “really brave people, in fact they’re warriors.” |
| “We are asking hospitals to consider things including bonuses,” he says. | “We are asking hospitals to consider things including bonuses,” he says. |
| Back to the civics lesson on the stimulus bill: Trump needed Democratic votes but claims success in removing things which were “totally crazy and had things which had nothing to do with people who lost their jobs”. | Back to the civics lesson on the stimulus bill: Trump needed Democratic votes but claims success in removing things which were “totally crazy and had things which had nothing to do with people who lost their jobs”. |
| An email from Anthony, about truck drivers who need masks. “If they’re in the cab by themselves they should be in great shape,” Trump says. “I know a lot about trucks.” | An email from Anthony, about truck drivers who need masks. “If they’re in the cab by themselves they should be in great shape,” Trump says. “I know a lot about trucks.” |
| Trump is really flying here – he’s in his happy place, after all, even if the Fox & Friends hosts are separated and not squashed together on the sofa as usual. | Trump is really flying here – he’s in his happy place, after all, even if the Fox & Friends hosts are separated and not squashed together on the sofa as usual. |
| He’s still going. Here’s some relevant reading: | He’s still going. Here’s some relevant reading: |
| Brian Kilmeade asks about “the crap” that Democrats got into the stimulus bill, including funding for the Kennedy Center in Washington, which has become a running sore on the political right. How could this be, Kilmeade asks? | Brian Kilmeade asks about “the crap” that Democrats got into the stimulus bill, including funding for the Kennedy Center in Washington, which has become a running sore on the political right. How could this be, Kilmeade asks? |
| “Because we need their votes, they have the House,” Trump says, offering the host a basic lesson in civics. | “Because we need their votes, they have the House,” Trump says, offering the host a basic lesson in civics. |
| Trump’s off on a rant after that – the Democrats “want windmills all over the place to ruin everyone’s house and farm”, he says, presumably windmills that cause cancer, and he attacks the Green New Deal too. Of course he does. It’s a disgrace, he says, but “we had to do it to get the deal”. Basic civics, again. | Trump’s off on a rant after that – the Democrats “want windmills all over the place to ruin everyone’s house and farm”, he says, presumably windmills that cause cancer, and he attacks the Green New Deal too. Of course he does. It’s a disgrace, he says, but “we had to do it to get the deal”. Basic civics, again. |
| “I’m right on things,” Trump says. “That’s what I do.” | “I’m right on things,” Trump says. “That’s what I do.” |
| Kilmeade, to his credit, says “it looks like Republicans piled stuff in too”, citing funding won by lawmakers from Kentucky and Utah. | Kilmeade, to his credit, says “it looks like Republicans piled stuff in too”, citing funding won by lawmakers from Kentucky and Utah. |
| Trump doesn’t engage with that. “It’s a complicated way of screwing things up,” the president says, predicting Republicans will take back the House in November while keeping the Senate and the White House. | Trump doesn’t engage with that. “It’s a complicated way of screwing things up,” the president says, predicting Republicans will take back the House in November while keeping the Senate and the White House. |
| Now Trump is asked if Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, would make a better Democratic presidential nominee than Biden, who looks set to take the nomination. | Now Trump is asked if Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, would make a better Democratic presidential nominee than Biden, who looks set to take the nomination. |
| Trump says Cuomo’s high ratings for handling the outbreak are mostly down to the federal response: “We’ve helped make him successful.” Controversial, to say the least. | Trump says Cuomo’s high ratings for handling the outbreak are mostly down to the federal response: “We’ve helped make him successful.” Controversial, to say the least. |
| Trump says he wouldn’t mind running against Cuomo, then attacks “Sleepy Joe” Biden for his supposedly lagging mental acuity. | Trump says he wouldn’t mind running against Cuomo, then attacks “Sleepy Joe” Biden for his supposedly lagging mental acuity. |
| Trump repeatedly says he has “gotten great marks also” for the outbreak response. | Trump repeatedly says he has “gotten great marks also” for the outbreak response. |
| Asked about his shift to a 30 April date for relaxing social guidelines, Trump repeats a line from Sunday – it’s better not to declare victory too soon. He discusses the developing hotspots of the disease, including Louisiana and New Jersey. Both those states have Democratic governors who Trump says he gets on with well. He doesn’t like the Democrats in Michigan and Washington so much, of course. | Asked about his shift to a 30 April date for relaxing social guidelines, Trump repeats a line from Sunday – it’s better not to declare victory too soon. He discusses the developing hotspots of the disease, including Louisiana and New Jersey. Both those states have Democratic governors who Trump says he gets on with well. He doesn’t like the Democrats in Michigan and Washington so much, of course. |
| He also praises the medical ship sent to Los Angeles and says he was there when they sent it out – that was the ship that went to New York. | He also praises the medical ship sent to Los Angeles and says he was there when they sent it out – that was the ship that went to New York. |
| Fox are asking about the international situation, leading off on Benjamin Netanyahu going into isolation. | Fox are asking about the international situation, leading off on Benjamin Netanyahu going into isolation. |
| While Trump attacks the Washington Post and the New York Times, his favourite targets, it’s worth remembering what Pelosi said about his response to the outbreak. This is from our report yesterday: | While Trump attacks the Washington Post and the New York Times, his favourite targets, it’s worth remembering what Pelosi said about his response to the outbreak. This is from our report yesterday: |