This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/apr/14/coronavirus-us-live-donald-trump-briefing-deaths-rise-cuomo-fauci-latest-news-updates
The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Barack Obama set to endorse Joe Biden later today – live | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Sources tell Guardian Obama to endorse former running mate in video statement to be released on Tuesday – follow live | |
| Joe Biden pushed back against Trump’s claim that he has “total” authority to decide when the US economy will reopen, which is contradicted by the Constitution. | |
| “I am not running for office to be King of America. I respect the Constitution,” Biden said in a tweet, going on to applaud the job many states’ governors are doing to respond to the current crisis. | |
| Many commentators have said that Trump’s claim of having the ability to reopen the economy flies in the face of federalism and the specific powers granted to governors in times of public health emergencies. | |
| Even some Republican lawmakers, including senator Marco Rubio, have specifically said since Trump’s press conference yesterday that decisions about when and how to reopen the economy should be left to the governors. | |
| Trump mocked Andrew Cuomo after the New York governor said he would not be forced to unsafely reopen the state’s economy. | |
| “Cuomo’s been calling daily, even hourly, begging for everything, most of which should have been the state’s responsibility, such as new hospitals, beds, ventilators, etc,” Trump wrote in a tweet. “I got it all done for him, and everyone else, and now he seems to want Independence! That won’t happen!” | |
| In reality, Cuomo has repeatedly asked for more coordination with the Trump administration to address the crisis, and his team has complained that the federal government was “absent” in the early response to the virus. | |
| Trump’s tweet came shortly after Cuomo said in a CNN interview that he would not be pressured to reopen New York’s economy if he thought it would lead to a surge of infections. | |
| “If he ordered me to reopen in a way that would endanger the public health of the people of my state, I wouldn’t do it,” Cuomo said. | |
| That comment was in response to the president saying yesterday that he has “total” authority to reopen the economy, which constitutional experts have contradicted. | |
| Barack Obama intends to endorse Joe Biden in a video statement to be released later today, the Guardian has confirmed with a source close to the former president. | |
| The endorsement will clear the way for Obama, who remains incredibly popular among Democrats, to potentially act as a surrogate for Biden on the campaign trail. | |
| In 2016, while he was still in office, Obama stumped for Hillary Clinton across several battleground states, drawing massive crowds. But the historic campaigning by a sitting president was ultimately not enough to secure a victory for Clinton. | |
| An endorsement from Barack Obama would cap Joe Biden’s stunning comeback in the Democratic presidential primary after the former vice president stumbled in the early contests. | An endorsement from Barack Obama would cap Joe Biden’s stunning comeback in the Democratic presidential primary after the former vice president stumbled in the early contests. |
| Biden came in fourth in the Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary before capturing second place in the Nevada caucuses. | Biden came in fourth in the Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary before capturing second place in the Nevada caucuses. |
| By that point, Bernie Sanders had become the undisputed frontrunner in the race, and many Democrats were preparing for a likely Sanders nomination. | By that point, Bernie Sanders had become the undisputed frontrunner in the race, and many Democrats were preparing for a likely Sanders nomination. |
| But Biden’s landslide victory in South Carolina, followed by a series of Super Tuesday wins a few days later, gave him the delegate lead and the momentum to capture the nomination. | But Biden’s landslide victory in South Carolina, followed by a series of Super Tuesday wins a few days later, gave him the delegate lead and the momentum to capture the nomination. |
| Barack Obama is expected to endorse his former vice president Joe Biden this morning in a video statement, according to an NBC News reporter. | Barack Obama is expected to endorse his former vice president Joe Biden this morning in a video statement, according to an NBC News reporter. |
| The former president refrained from endorsing any Democratic candidate while the primary was unfolding, but Obama was expected to jump in once the nomination was decided. | The former president refrained from endorsing any Democratic candidate while the primary was unfolding, but Obama was expected to jump in once the nomination was decided. |
| Biden became the presumptive nominee last week after Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race. Sanders also endorsed his former rival in a livestream yesterday. | Biden became the presumptive nominee last week after Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race. Sanders also endorsed his former rival in a livestream yesterday. |
| Trump lashed out against congressional Democrats after they pushed for more funding for hospitals and state and local governments in the next coronavirus relief bill. | Trump lashed out against congressional Democrats after they pushed for more funding for hospitals and state and local governments in the next coronavirus relief bill. |
| “The Democrats don’t want to approve more money for our great workers under the incredibly successful ‘Paycheck’ plan,” Trump wrote in a tweet. “Replenish Account Now!” | “The Democrats don’t want to approve more money for our great workers under the incredibly successful ‘Paycheck’ plan,” Trump wrote in a tweet. “Replenish Account Now!” |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell tried to pass a relief bill by unanimous consent last week, but Democratic senators objected on the grounds that the bill did not go far enough. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell tried to pass a relief bill by unanimous consent last week, but Democratic senators objected on the grounds that the bill did not go far enough. |
| McConnell’s bill would have granted $250 billion in additional funding to the small business loan program created by the stimulus package, while Democrats also wanted $250 billion for hospitals and state and local governments. | McConnell’s bill would have granted $250 billion in additional funding to the small business loan program created by the stimulus package, while Democrats also wanted $250 billion for hospitals and state and local governments. |
| The bill failed to advance because of the back-and-forth, and the two parties appear to be at a stalemate over the issue, as small businesses and state governments wait for more of the desperately needed funds. | The bill failed to advance because of the back-and-forth, and the two parties appear to be at a stalemate over the issue, as small businesses and state governments wait for more of the desperately needed funds. |
| Nearly 4 in 10 registered US voters support delaying the November election until coronavirus is under control, according to a new poll. | Nearly 4 in 10 registered US voters support delaying the November election until coronavirus is under control, according to a new poll. |
| The TargetSmart survey found that 68 percent of voters think the pandemic will have a big effect on turnout in November. That number includes 80% of Democrats, 66% of independents and 58% of Republicans. | The TargetSmart survey found that 68 percent of voters think the pandemic will have a big effect on turnout in November. That number includes 80% of Democrats, 66% of independents and 58% of Republicans. |
| The poll also shows that 39% of voters think the November election should be delayed, although a majority (53%) oppose that idea. | The poll also shows that 39% of voters think the November election should be delayed, although a majority (53%) oppose that idea. |
| The date of the election is established by a set of federal laws, so Congress would have to pass a law to move the date, which seems unlikely considering the House is controlled by the Democrats. | The date of the election is established by a set of federal laws, so Congress would have to pass a law to move the date, which seems unlikely considering the House is controlled by the Democrats. |
| Joe Biden, now the presumptive Democratic nominee, has said he is opposed to delaying the election. “[W]e cannot, we cannot delay or postpone a constitutionally required November election,” Biden said last week. | Joe Biden, now the presumptive Democratic nominee, has said he is opposed to delaying the election. “[W]e cannot, we cannot delay or postpone a constitutionally required November election,” Biden said last week. |
| The former vice president has voiced support for expanding absentee voting options, which was also a popular idea among respondents in the TargetSmart poll. Nearly 8 in 10 registered voters said it’s important for state and local governments to provide alternatives to in-person voting. | The former vice president has voiced support for expanding absentee voting options, which was also a popular idea among respondents in the TargetSmart poll. Nearly 8 in 10 registered voters said it’s important for state and local governments to provide alternatives to in-person voting. |
| This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Pengelly. | This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Pengelly. |
| The Democratic super PAC Priorities USA is out with a new ad contrasting Trump’s comments downplaying the coronavirus pandemic and doctors’ pleas for more personal protective equipment and ventilators. | The Democratic super PAC Priorities USA is out with a new ad contrasting Trump’s comments downplaying the coronavirus pandemic and doctors’ pleas for more personal protective equipment and ventilators. |
| Priorities is spending nearly $2 million to air the ad in several states that Trump won in 2016, including Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. | Priorities is spending nearly $2 million to air the ad in several states that Trump won in 2016, including Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. |
| “In this time of crisis, we need to listen to our medical professionals and ensure they have the resources they need to keep them safe while they keep us safe. Unfortunately, Donald Trump is more concerned with deflecting blame and protecting his own political standing than taking the necessary steps to protect our country,” Guy Cecil, the chairman of Priorities USA, told ABC News. | “In this time of crisis, we need to listen to our medical professionals and ensure they have the resources they need to keep them safe while they keep us safe. Unfortunately, Donald Trump is more concerned with deflecting blame and protecting his own political standing than taking the necessary steps to protect our country,” Guy Cecil, the chairman of Priorities USA, told ABC News. |
| Some of Trump’s allies have feared that the president’s daily briefings, which often include falsehoods and outlandish comments, would soon be featured in attack ads to bolster Joe Biden’s chances in the November election. | Some of Trump’s allies have feared that the president’s daily briefings, which often include falsehoods and outlandish comments, would soon be featured in attack ads to bolster Joe Biden’s chances in the November election. |
| Three pastors in California are suing state officials who have placed restrictions on people gathering at church services due to the coronavirus outbreak. | Three pastors in California are suing state officials who have placed restrictions on people gathering at church services due to the coronavirus outbreak. |
| The lawsuit lodged in the US district court for the central district of California, alleges Californians have been denied their “fundamental rights” of freedom of religion, speech and assembly due to the restrictions, which are aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19. | The lawsuit lodged in the US district court for the central district of California, alleges Californians have been denied their “fundamental rights” of freedom of religion, speech and assembly due to the restrictions, which are aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19. |
| Dhillon Law Group, headed by California Republican party official Harmeet Dhillon, is behind the lawsuit, along with three pastors and a churchgoer. California governor Gavin Newsom, one of the targets of the lawsuit, issued a stay at home order on 19 March and closed non-essential businesses. | Dhillon Law Group, headed by California Republican party official Harmeet Dhillon, is behind the lawsuit, along with three pastors and a churchgoer. California governor Gavin Newsom, one of the targets of the lawsuit, issued a stay at home order on 19 March and closed non-essential businesses. |
| Despite this directive, some worshippers have continued to gather, including in Sacramento county where 71 people linked to a single church became infected with the coronavirus. | Despite this directive, some worshippers have continued to gather, including in Sacramento county where 71 people linked to a single church became infected with the coronavirus. |
| California isn’t the only state where there has been a backlash against shuttering churches in order to protect public health. | California isn’t the only state where there has been a backlash against shuttering churches in order to protect public health. |
| In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear said state officials would be recording the license plates of anyone gathering at Easter services or other gatherings and imposing a two-week quarantine. Rand Paul, a Republican senator from the state, said the governor needed to “take a step back”. | In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear said state officials would be recording the license plates of anyone gathering at Easter services or other gatherings and imposing a two-week quarantine. Rand Paul, a Republican senator from the state, said the governor needed to “take a step back”. |
| In Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly has been locked in a battle with Republican state lawmakers over limiting the size of church congregations. Kelly, a Democrat, issued an order limiting services to 10 people, a measure that was overturned by the Republican-controlled legislature. Kelly turned to the state’s supreme court, which backed her authority and reinstated the limit. | In Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly has been locked in a battle with Republican state lawmakers over limiting the size of church congregations. Kelly, a Democrat, issued an order limiting services to 10 people, a measure that was overturned by the Republican-controlled legislature. Kelly turned to the state’s supreme court, which backed her authority and reinstated the limit. |
| Back to California: here’s Maanvi Singh’s look at how Newsom has led his state through the crisis so far… | Back to California: here’s Maanvi Singh’s look at how Newsom has led his state through the crisis so far… |
| More from CNN and more from a governor of a north-eastern state who does not think Donald Trump has the power to tell him what to do about when and how to re-open. It’s Andrew Cuomo of New York, brother of Covid-19 patient and CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, and he says: | More from CNN and more from a governor of a north-eastern state who does not think Donald Trump has the power to tell him what to do about when and how to re-open. It’s Andrew Cuomo of New York, brother of Covid-19 patient and CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, and he says: |
| Again, because it’s worth repeating, here’s what Trump claimed at his White House briefing on Monday night: “When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total.” | Again, because it’s worth repeating, here’s what Trump claimed at his White House briefing on Monday night: “When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total.” |
| Again, because it’s worth repeating, no, it isn’t. | Again, because it’s worth repeating, no, it isn’t. |
| Trump and Cuomo have been here before, too, about | Trump and Cuomo have been here before, too, about |
| six million years | six million years |
| two weeks ago, when Trump said he was thinking about placing New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut under quarantine and an incredulous Cuomo said no, that wasn’t going to happen and then Trump said no, he hadn’t ever thought of it at all. And so forth. | two weeks ago, when Trump said he was thinking about placing New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut under quarantine and an incredulous Cuomo said no, that wasn’t going to happen and then Trump said no, he hadn’t ever thought of it at all. And so forth. |
| More from Cuomo, as it happens, from NBC’s Today Show: | More from Cuomo, as it happens, from NBC’s Today Show: |
| And on reopening correctly, which New York is seeking to do in concert with six other north-eastern states: “It has to be phased. It has to be balanced. It’s a public health strategy and an economic reactivation strategy. The key to me is testing. People have to know that they are safe and the testing actually works to make people feel safe, and we don’t have that capacity now … We have to develop that widespread testing capacity.” | And on reopening correctly, which New York is seeking to do in concert with six other north-eastern states: “It has to be phased. It has to be balanced. It’s a public health strategy and an economic reactivation strategy. The key to me is testing. People have to know that they are safe and the testing actually works to make people feel safe, and we don’t have that capacity now … We have to develop that widespread testing capacity.” |
| On the subject of Donald Trump’s extraordinary – and extraordinarily worrying – White House briefing on Monday night, some interesting words from Howell Raines, formerly executive editor of the New York Times. | On the subject of Donald Trump’s extraordinary – and extraordinarily worrying – White House briefing on Monday night, some interesting words from Howell Raines, formerly executive editor of the New York Times. |
| Raines was speaking on MSNBC – the liberal-skewing network which Trump likes to call MSDNC, in what passes for a joke from a notoriously humorless chap, being a pun on the initials of the Democratic National Committee – after it cut away from the briefing, the propreity of showing which is a whole other argument going on in US newsrooms including the Guardian’s right now. | Raines was speaking on MSNBC – the liberal-skewing network which Trump likes to call MSDNC, in what passes for a joke from a notoriously humorless chap, being a pun on the initials of the Democratic National Committee – after it cut away from the briefing, the propreity of showing which is a whole other argument going on in US newsrooms including the Guardian’s right now. |
| Anyway. Raines: | Anyway. Raines: |
| “I think this is one of the astonishing acts of disinformation we’ve seen from a White House since the Vietnam era and the five o’clock follies* of the Lyndon Johnson administration. | “I think this is one of the astonishing acts of disinformation we’ve seen from a White House since the Vietnam era and the five o’clock follies* of the Lyndon Johnson administration. |
| “What we are seeing here, I think, is a kind of imploding presidency. And with an implosion, you have to have a black hole at the center. And I think what we have here is a black hole that consists of two elements: President Trump’s extremely fragile ego, and his distrust of government experts.” | “What we are seeing here, I think, is a kind of imploding presidency. And with an implosion, you have to have a black hole at the center. And I think what we have here is a black hole that consists of two elements: President Trump’s extremely fragile ego, and his distrust of government experts.” |
| Raines also said that the still-not-fired-for-undercutting-the-president-and-becoming-more-famous-and-trusted Dr Anthony Fauci and the other White House public health experts “remind me of nervous parents trying to cope with a three-year-old on a sugar high”. | Raines also said that the still-not-fired-for-undercutting-the-president-and-becoming-more-famous-and-trusted Dr Anthony Fauci and the other White House public health experts “remind me of nervous parents trying to cope with a three-year-old on a sugar high”. |
| Our Washington bureau chief David Smith had a similar thought, in a fine take on the briefing, which is here: | Our Washington bureau chief David Smith had a similar thought, in a fine take on the briefing, which is here: |
| *Five o’clock follies: notorious military briefings during the Vietnam war which bore very little resemblance to disastrous reality. See here. | *Five o’clock follies: notorious military briefings during the Vietnam war which bore very little resemblance to disastrous reality. See here. |
| The governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont, has told CNN he will not move to ease social restrictions in his state before 20 May. | The governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont, has told CNN he will not move to ease social restrictions in his state before 20 May. |
| Connecticut, inextricably tied to New York economically, much like New Jersey, is one of seven north-eastern states which on Monday announced a plan to co-ordinate their reopening from social-distancing protocols and other measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. By the Johns Hopkins figures it has more than 13,000 confirmed cases and 602 deaths. | Connecticut, inextricably tied to New York economically, much like New Jersey, is one of seven north-eastern states which on Monday announced a plan to co-ordinate their reopening from social-distancing protocols and other measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. By the Johns Hopkins figures it has more than 13,000 confirmed cases and 602 deaths. |
| Donald Trump is chafing at the bit, of course, eager to reopen the US economy as it takes a terrible pounding in his re-election year. | Donald Trump is chafing at the bit, of course, eager to reopen the US economy as it takes a terrible pounding in his re-election year. |
| More from Lamont, via CNN host John Berman: “I’m trying to maintain the social distance … and I don’t need the White House saying, hey, everybody, it’s all going to be fine.” | More from Lamont, via CNN host John Berman: “I’m trying to maintain the social distance … and I don’t need the White House saying, hey, everybody, it’s all going to be fine.” |
| And now, Fun With Polls… | And now, Fun With Polls… |
| I’m no Harry Enten (formerly of this parish, you know) but I do, partly because of Harry Enten, know an interesting poll or polls story when I see one. Honest. | I’m no Harry Enten (formerly of this parish, you know) but I do, partly because of Harry Enten, know an interesting poll or polls story when I see one. Honest. |
| In short, Axios this morning puts Joe Biden in the lead against Donald Trump six key states, firstly Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, three of the rust belt, usually blue states which Trump famously won from under Hillary Clinton’s nose in 2016. | In short, Axios this morning puts Joe Biden in the lead against Donald Trump six key states, firstly Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, three of the rust belt, usually blue states which Trump famously won from under Hillary Clinton’s nose in 2016. |
| But it also has Biden up in Florida, Arizona and North Carolina, sunnier places, usually Republican, which if picked up would allow the former vice-president some leeway in those first three, where Trump remains strong. | But it also has Biden up in Florida, Arizona and North Carolina, sunnier places, usually Republican, which if picked up would allow the former vice-president some leeway in those first three, where Trump remains strong. |
| And here’s a new poll from Arizona: Biden 52%, Trump 43%. | And here’s a new poll from Arizona: Biden 52%, Trump 43%. |
| There are of course caveats to every poll and OH Insights lists them here. | There are of course caveats to every poll and OH Insights lists them here. |
| Either which way, Bernie Sanders’ endorsement of Biden yesterday has seemingly wrapped up the Democratic primary – some sort of House of Cards-esque Andrew Cuomo late move notwithstanding – and for now the question is will the 3 November election go ahead in its usual form or will the bizarre scenes in Wisconsin last week presage some move to making voting easier and safer? Not if Trump can help it, of course. | Either which way, Bernie Sanders’ endorsement of Biden yesterday has seemingly wrapped up the Democratic primary – some sort of House of Cards-esque Andrew Cuomo late move notwithstanding – and for now the question is will the 3 November election go ahead in its usual form or will the bizarre scenes in Wisconsin last week presage some move to making voting easier and safer? Not if Trump can help it, of course. |
| Here’s Tom McCarthy and Sam Levine on the Wisconsin results which came in on Monday night: | Here’s Tom McCarthy and Sam Levine on the Wisconsin results which came in on Monday night: |
| …and welcome to another day of coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in the US. More on Donald Trump’s unhinged White House briefing last night in a minute. First, the figures according to Johns Hopkins University: | …and welcome to another day of coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in the US. More on Donald Trump’s unhinged White House briefing last night in a minute. First, the figures according to Johns Hopkins University: |
| US cases: 582,431 | US cases: 582,431 |
| US deaths: 23,647 | US deaths: 23,647 |
| New York deaths: 10,058 | New York deaths: 10,058 |
| New Jersey deaths: 2,443 | New Jersey deaths: 2,443 |
| Michigan deaths: 1,602 | Michigan deaths: 1,602 |
| Yesterday, Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York, told reporters “the worst is over”, if social distancing and other restrictions remain in place, and announced a partnership with six other north-eastern governors to work on reopening the regional economy. | Yesterday, Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York, told reporters “the worst is over”, if social distancing and other restrictions remain in place, and announced a partnership with six other north-eastern governors to work on reopening the regional economy. |
| Of course, Trump’s public utterances clashed somewhat with such a cautious approach. | Of course, Trump’s public utterances clashed somewhat with such a cautious approach. |
| On Twitter, the president claimed authority over the states about reopening plans. The experts dismissed that claim. | On Twitter, the president claimed authority over the states about reopening plans. The experts dismissed that claim. |
| Then at a White House briefing marked by attacks on reporters and the playing of a propaganda film half-ripped from Fox News, Trump made a claim for the ages: | Then at a White House briefing marked by attacks on reporters and the playing of a propaganda film half-ripped from Fox News, Trump made a claim for the ages: |
| Constitutional lawyers: Nope. | Constitutional lawyers: Nope. |
| CNN, CBS reporter Paula Reid and most of the rest of the press corps: Incredulous. | CNN, CBS reporter Paula Reid and most of the rest of the press corps: Incredulous. |
| Fox News? | Fox News? |
| Laura Ingraham: “I thoroughly enjoyed today’s coronavirus task force briefing. That was great. It was a tour de force!” | Laura Ingraham: “I thoroughly enjoyed today’s coronavirus task force briefing. That was great. It was a tour de force!” |
| Sean Hannity, from whose show much of Trump’s propaganda film seemed to come, spoke to Texas governor Greg Abbott, who said: “I think most states can reopen even sooner than later. We don’t have to wait until 1 May.” | Sean Hannity, from whose show much of Trump’s propaganda film seemed to come, spoke to Texas governor Greg Abbott, who said: “I think most states can reopen even sooner than later. We don’t have to wait until 1 May.” |
| That’s the date by which Trump, the panjandrum of the White House podium, has said he would like to start reopening the shuttered US economy. | That’s the date by which Trump, the panjandrum of the White House podium, has said he would like to start reopening the shuttered US economy. |
| White House experts including the notably not-yet-fired Dr Anthony Fauci have cast doubt on that goal and said moving too swiftly to lift social restrictions could cause a resurgence in Covid-19 cases. Trump says the decision is his alone and he will listen to his advisers – and also rely a lot on “instinct”. | White House experts including the notably not-yet-fired Dr Anthony Fauci have cast doubt on that goal and said moving too swiftly to lift social restrictions could cause a resurgence in Covid-19 cases. Trump says the decision is his alone and he will listen to his advisers – and also rely a lot on “instinct”. |
| Let that sink in. While you do, here’s some reading: | Let that sink in. While you do, here’s some reading: |
| Washington bureau chief David Smith’s take on that briefing, with an intro for the ages: | Washington bureau chief David Smith’s take on that briefing, with an intro for the ages: |
| And here’s Tom McCarthy’s timeline of Trump’s coronavirus misinformation campaign: | And here’s Tom McCarthy’s timeline of Trump’s coronavirus misinformation campaign: |