The US now has the third-highest number of coronavirus cases in the world – 35,000 with 471 dead – as New York mayor Bill de Blasio implores Donald Trump for more federal assistance and warns that the city’s 11 public hospitals only have enough medical supplies to last for the next week.
The Senate will resume negotiations over a proposed $2trn (£1.7trn) economic stimulus package on Monday after Democrats brought talks to a standstill on Sunday night by complaining the pro-business bill amounts to a “slush fund” for the president and his corporate allies in its present form.
“Our nation cannot afford a game of chicken,” Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell hit back, as both sides moved to reassure the public that they are “very close” to coming to an agreement on the bailout.
Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load
Trump adviser: Economic damage 'too great' to keep business closed
Donald Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow told Fox New that the economic damage from closures to combat the coronavirus is "just too great" after the president said on Twitter that "WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO!"
Kudlow doesn't explain what those "trade-offs" will be to meet the White House's apparent frustration and Trump's eagerness to keep the economy moving despite confirmed cases surging past 40,000 and World Health Organization warnings that the pandemic is accelerating.
Less than a month ago, Kudlow claimed that the US had "contained" the virus and it would not become an “economic tragedy".
Donald Trump's economic adviser Larry Kudlow told Fox New that the economic damage from closures to combat the coronavirus is "just too great" after the president said on Twitter that "WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO!"
Kudlow doesn't explain what those "trade-offs" will be to meet the White House's apparent frustration and Trump's eagerness to keep the economy moving despite confirmed cases surging past 40,000 and World Health Organization warnings that the pandemic is accelerating.
Less than a month ago, Kudlow claimed that the US had "contained" the virus and it would not become an “economic tragedy".
US and Iran in Twitter war of words over coronavirus
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Washington of creating the coronavirus on Twitter on Sunday and questioned why the rest of the world would trust America with creating a cure.
An indignant Mike Pompeo has responded accordingly:
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Washington of creating the coronavirus on Twitter on Sunday and questioned why the rest of the world would trust America with creating a cure.
An indignant Mike Pompeo has responded accordingly:
Mitch McConnell attacks Democrats for treating stimulus bill as 'juicy political opportunity'
Here's the latest from the Senate floor as the corona bill discussions continue:
Here's the latest from the Senate floor as the corona bill discussions continue:
Treasury secretary pleads with small businesses not to fire employees
Steve Mnuchin called into Fox Business morning with this message to viewers:
"All small businesses: We will have an immediate mechanism. That’s close to 50 per cent of the US economy for workers. We are encouraging small businesses, make sure you hire people back. If you haven’t let people go, don’t let people go, because we are providing you necessary liquidity and we’re going to get that money out fast."
Steve Mnuchin called into Fox Business morning with this message to viewers:
"All small businesses: We will have an immediate mechanism. That’s close to 50 per cent of the US economy for workers. We are encouraging small businesses, make sure you hire people back. If you haven’t let people go, don’t let people go, because we are providing you necessary liquidity and we’re going to get that money out fast."
New York coronavirus cases passes 20,000 and deaths up to 157
“In absolute terms, New York has by far the greatest need in the nation,” says New York governor Andrew Cuomo as he announces 20,875 positive cases and 157 dead.
It had 1,000 cases just 10 days ago.
There is some good news, however. "We're doing more testing than anyone," Cuomo says.
Trump's only interest in New York appears to be bashing its premier newspaper:
“In absolute terms, New York has by far the greatest need in the nation,” says New York governor Andrew Cuomo as he announces 20,875 positive cases and 157 dead.
It had 1,000 cases just 10 days ago.
There is some good news, however. "We're doing more testing than anyone," Cuomo says.
Trump's only interest in New York appears to be bashing its premier newspaper:
Trump 'itching' to end social distancing, say aides
As this Hillary Clinton tweet from 2016 resurfaces to haunt us...
...the president is reportedly desperate to end social distancing after that 15-day period calling it into effect comes to an end in a week's time, CNN reports.
Trump has made no secret of the fact that the robust health of the US economy will be integral to his 2020 re-election campaign and the trade-off between hindering it by shutting everything down and safeguarding the public from the coronavirus remains the subject of heated debate behind-closed-doors at the White House, according to the network's sources.
Many of Trump's medical advisers - like surgeon general Dr Jermome Adams - have said they do not believe 15 days is long enough to stem the influence of the virus while Dr Anthony Fauci remains a key contrarian voice against the president's pro-business instincts in private and has even been willing to challenge him publicly at the podium.
As this Hillary Clinton tweet from 2016 resurfaces to haunt us...
...the president is reportedly desperate to end social distancing after that 15-day period calling it into effect comes to an end in a week's time, CNN reports.
Trump has made no secret of the fact that the robust health of the US economy will be integral to his 2020 re-election campaign and the trade-off between hindering it by shutting everything down and safeguarding the public from the coronavirus remains the subject of heated debate behind-closed-doors at the White House, according to the network's sources.
Many of Trump's medical advisers - like surgeon general Dr Jermome Adams - have said they do not believe 15 days is long enough to stem the influence of the virus while Dr Anthony Fauci remains a key contrarian voice against the president's pro-business instincts in private and has even been willing to challenge him publicly at the podium.
Amy Klobuchar's husband tests positive for coronavirus
The Minnesota senator and former presidential candidate says her partner, a law professor named John Bessler, fell ill while in Washington.
"We just got the test results at 7am this morning. While I cannot see him and he is of course cut off from all visitors, our daughter Abigail and I are constantly calling and texting and emailing," she wrote in a Medium post announcing the news.
"We love him very much and pray for his recovery. He is exhausted and sick but a very strong and resilient person."
Richard Hall has the latest.
The Minnesota senator and former presidential candidate says her partner, a law professor named John Bessler, fell ill while in Washington.
"We just got the test results at 7am this morning. While I cannot see him and he is of course cut off from all visitors, our daughter Abigail and I are constantly calling and texting and emailing," she wrote in a Medium post announcing the news.
"We love him very much and pray for his recovery. He is exhausted and sick but a very strong and resilient person."
Richard Hall has the latest.
Chuck Schumer faces critical test as US economic stimulus hangs in balance
Whether or not the US economy sinks into a coronavirus-triggered recession comes down to Trump and Chuck Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat who suddenly finds himself as the most powerful man in Washington, says John T Bennett.
Whether or not Schumer can strike a deal with the president, the man who mocks him as "Cryin' Chuck," and treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, a former Democrat, will decide the fate of a trillion dollar economic stimulus package that as late as Saturday evening appeared on track for quick passage in both chambers before Trump signed it into law.
Schumer has more of a reputation as a political fighter than a bipartisan dealmaker, making the precarious moment an opportunity for the New York Democrat to score a major legacy victory.
Whether or not the US economy sinks into a coronavirus-triggered recession comes down to Trump and Chuck Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat who suddenly finds himself as the most powerful man in Washington, says John T Bennett.
Whether or not Schumer can strike a deal with the president, the man who mocks him as "Cryin' Chuck," and treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, a former Democrat, will decide the fate of a trillion dollar economic stimulus package that as late as Saturday evening appeared on track for quick passage in both chambers before Trump signed it into law.
Schumer has more of a reputation as a political fighter than a bipartisan dealmaker, making the precarious moment an opportunity for the New York Democrat to score a major legacy victory.
New York City hospitals only have enough medical supplies to get through 'this week', warns mayor
Bill de Blasio was back on TV this morning again appealing for federal intervention to ease the city through the coronavirus crisis as the number of cases nationally sits at 35,000 cases with 471 dead, the third-highest number of cases in the world.
“In our public hospitals, our 11 public hospitals right now, this week, I can only guarantee you right now, John, that we can get through this week with the equipment and supplies we have. That's the blunt reality," de Blasio told CNN's John Berman.
"If we don't get some relief quickly, and I can count, John, I literally want to see hundreds of ventilators, I want to see first hundreds of thousands and millions of masks, if that doesn't come in starting this week, we will get to a point where people can't be saved who could have been saved."
Bill de Blasio was back on TV this morning again appealing for federal intervention to ease the city through the coronavirus crisis as the number of cases nationally sits at 35,000 cases with 471 dead, the third-highest number of cases in the world.
“In our public hospitals, our 11 public hospitals right now, this week, I can only guarantee you right now, John, that we can get through this week with the equipment and supplies we have. That's the blunt reality," de Blasio told CNN's John Berman.
"If we don't get some relief quickly, and I can count, John, I literally want to see hundreds of ventilators, I want to see first hundreds of thousands and millions of masks, if that doesn't come in starting this week, we will get to a point where people can't be saved who could have been saved."
Dionne Warwick says Trump was 'a very nice gentleman' while filming The Celebrity Apprentice
Ready for some rare (and admittedly rather random) non-corona Trump news?
Adam White is your man.
Ready for some rare (and admittedly rather random) non-corona Trump news?
Adam White is your man.
Ivanka Trump praises Walmart as 'shining example of American Greatness'
Of the deluge of retweets we saw from the president earlier - Tom Fitton, Don Jr, James Woods, Ronna McDaniel etc - this is comfortably the most galling.
Of the deluge of retweets we saw from the president earlier - Tom Fitton, Don Jr, James Woods, Ronna McDaniel etc - this is comfortably the most galling.
Ivanka tested negative for the virus yesterday, you'll be relieved to hear, however an unnamed Secret Service agent was less fortunate and is now in quarantine.
Trump administration axed China disease expert role months before outbreak
Oh perfect.
The US government eliminated a key American public health position in Beijing, intended to help detect disease outbreaks in China, several months before the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic began.
Oh perfect.
The US government eliminated a key American public health position in Beijing, intended to help detect disease outbreaks in China, several months before the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic began.
White supremacists planned to use coronavirus as bioweapon
Federal law enforcement has warned that white supremacist terrorists had considered weaponising coronavirus through saliva-filled spray bottles and contaminating non-white neighbourhoods with the virus, according to intelligence briefings.
A brief from the Federal Protective Service written last month reported that white supremacists on the encrypted messaging app Telegram discussing spending "as much time as possible in public places with their 'enemies'" to transmit the virus.
A brief obtained by Yahoo! News reports that "violent extremists continue to make bioterrorism a popular topic among themselves" and that "white racially motivated violent extremists" had expressed that it was their "obligation" to spread the virus should any of them be infected.
Alex Woodward has more on this alarming story.
Federal law enforcement has warned that white supremacist terrorists had considered weaponising coronavirus through saliva-filled spray bottles and contaminating non-white neighbourhoods with the virus, according to intelligence briefings.
A brief from the Federal Protective Service written last month reported that white supremacists on the encrypted messaging app Telegram discussing spending "as much time as possible in public places with their 'enemies'" to transmit the virus.
They also plotted targeting law enforcement by leaving "saliva on door handles" and elevator buttons at government offices.
A brief obtained by Yahoo! News reports that "violent extremists continue to make bioterrorism a popular topic among themselves" and that "white racially motivated violent extremists" had expressed that it was their "obligation" to spread the virus should any of them be infected.
Alex Woodward has more on this alarming story.
Trump hints at dramatic rescue of American woman held and tortured abroad
At yesterday's press briefing on the coronavirus epidemic, Trump described in oblique terms a military operation that rescued an unidentified American woman from an unnamed country where she was being treated “horribly”.
Andrew Naughtie picks up the story.
'Gee, that's too bad'
While Trump offered consolation to Paul in his hour of need, he was less than gracious when he learned that Utah senator Mitt Romney - the one Republican to break ranks and vote for his impeachment - had been taken into quarantine.
While Trump offered consolation to Paul in his hour of need, he was less than gracious when he learned that Utah senator Mitt Romney - the one Republican to break ranks and vote for his impeachment - had been taken into quarantine.
Trump wishes Rand Paul well after Kentuckian becomes first senator to test positive
The president issued this response to the news last night that Republican Rand Paul is the first member of the Senate to have contracted Covid-19.
Paul dined with Republican colleagues on Friday and reportedly used the Senate swimming pool on Sunday before being informed of his condition, raising fears that his colleagues may also have come into contact with the contagion.
On Twitter, few could resist pointing out the blackly ironic nature of the development given Paul's recent behaviour on Capitol Hill.
One of the first congressmen to catch the disease, Utah Democrat Ben McAdams, has meanwhile been hospitalised after reporting breathing difficulties.
Here's Phil Thomas's report on Senator Paul.
The president issued this response to the news last night that Republican Rand Paul is the first member of the Senate to have contracted Covid-19.
Paul dined with Republican colleagues on Friday and reportedly used the Senate swimming pool on Sunday before being informed of his condition, raising fears that his colleagues may also have come into contact with the contagion.
On Twitter, few could resist pointing out the blackly ironic nature of the development given Paul's recent behaviour on Capitol Hill.
One of the first congressmen to catch the disease, Utah Democrat Ben McAdams, has meanwhile been hospitalised after reporting breathing difficulties.
Here's Phil Thomas's report on Senator Paul.
Trump says US will follow Japan's lead on Tokyo Olympics
The president has just started hammering out tweets, of which this is the most pertinent so far:
He has also personally reached out to reassure a supporter who has pledged to build a statue of him if he manages to save the country from a second Great Depression:
This hot take from Fox brat Tomi Lahren is also pretty spicy:
The president has just started hammering out tweets, of which this is the most pertinent so far:
He has also personally reached out to reassure a supporter who has pledged to build a statue of him if he manages to save the country from a second Great Depression:
This hot take from Fox brat Tomi Lahren is also pretty spicy:
Total coronavirus cases top 341,000 globally as US death toll breaks 400 barrier
The United States now has 34,354 cases of Covid-19, according to CNN, with 414 people dead from the respiratory disease.
Since the first American case was first diagnosed on 21 January, coronavirus has now spread to all 50 states plus DC, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Of that grim total, 114 New Yorkers have died while Washington state has seen 95 deaths so far and California 32.
The United States now has 34,354 cases of Covid-19, according to CNN, with 414 people dead from the respiratory disease.
Since the first American case was first diagnosed on 21 January, coronavirus has now spread to all 50 states plus DC, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Of that grim total, 114 New Yorkers have died while Washington state has seen 95 deaths so far and California 32.
Trump told to 'get off Twitter and do your job' in spat with Illinois governor
The president was busy on social media over the weekend, distributing clips of his latest press conference with Dr Fauci and the task force team.
He also found time to pick a fight Illinois's outspoken governor JB Pritzker.
That broadside came after the governor told Jake Tapper on State of the Union that the demand for medical supplies is leaving states facing a new "Wild West" and being forced to compete with each other and overpay.
Pritzker is cleary not a man to back down from a gunfight and called out Trump in response:
The attack on the media in there was followed up late last night with this Hall of Famer, in which he raved: “All I see is hatred of me at any cost. Don’t they understand that they are destroying themselves?”
Here's Alex Woodward with more.
The president was busy on social media over the weekend, distributing clips of his latest press conference with Dr Fauci and the task force team.
He also found time to pick a fight Illinois's outspoken governor JB Pritzker.
That broadside came after the governor told Jake Tapper on State of the Union that the demand for medical supplies is leaving states facing a new "Wild West" and being forced to compete with each other and overpay.
Pritzker is cleary not a man to back down from a gunfight and called out Trump in response:
The attack on the media in there was followed up late last night with this Hall of Famer, in which he raved: “All I see is hatred of me at any cost. Don’t they understand that they are destroying themselves?”
Here's Alex Woodward with more.
President says US to make a decision on coronavirus at end of 15-day plan as Bill de Blasio accuses him of failing to 'lift a finger'
Trump said on Sunday the United States will make a decision at the end of a 15-day period on "which way we want to go", to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
"We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself," he said on Twitter, giving the impression of ranting furiously by writing in all-caps.
The line appeared to come directly from ex-David Cameron adviser Steve Hilton on Fox, who said last night: “Our ruling class and their TV mouthpieces whipping up fear over this virus, they can afford an indefinite shutdown. Working Americans can’t, they’ll be crushed by it. You know that famous phrase, ‘The cure is worse than the disease?’ That is exactly the territory we are hurting towards.”
Trump issued new guidelines on 16 March aimed at slowing the spread of the disease over 15 days. Since then, his administration has been pushing for aggressive steps to stem the economic hit of the epidemic, after the president spent several weeks playing down the risks.
Nearly one in three Americans was under orders on Sunday to stay home to slow the spread of the virus as Ohio - although whether they adhered to them is another matter - with Louisiana and Delaware the latest states to enact broad restrictions, along with the city of Philadelphia. They joined New York, California, Illinois, Connecticut and New Jersey, home to 101m Americans combined.
Earlier on Sunday, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said the lockdown affecting large segments of the American public was likely to last 10 to 12 weeks, or until early June.
Also doing the Sunday shows was NYC mayor Bill de Blasio who joined Mnuchin by warning that April and May "are going to be a lot worse" but attacked Trump, saying he won't "lift a finger" to help his hometown with additional medical equipment during the crisis.
Trump said on Sunday the United States will make a decision at the end of a 15-day period on "which way we want to go", to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
"We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself," he said on Twitter, giving the impression of ranting furiously by writing in all-caps.
The line appeared to come directly from ex-David Cameron adviser Steve Hilton on Fox, who said last night: “Our ruling class and their TV mouthpieces whipping up fear over this virus, they can afford an indefinite shutdown. Working Americans can’t, they’ll be crushed by it. You know that famous phrase, ‘The cure is worse than the disease?’ That is exactly the territory we are hurting towards.”
Trump issued new guidelines on 16 March aimed at slowing the spread of the disease over 15 days. Since then, his administration has been pushing for aggressive steps to stem the economic hit of the epidemic, after the president spent several weeks playing down the risks.
Nearly one in three Americans was under orders on Sunday to stay home to slow the spread of the virus as Ohio - although whether they adhered to them is another matter - with Louisiana and Delaware the latest states to enact broad restrictions, along with the city of Philadelphia. They joined New York, California, Illinois, Connecticut and New Jersey, home to 101m Americans combined.
Earlier on Sunday, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said the lockdown affecting large segments of the American public was likely to last 10 to 12 weeks, or until early June.
Also doing the Sunday shows was NYC mayor Bill de Blasio who joined Mnuchin by warning that April and May "are going to be a lot worse" but attacked Trump, saying he won't "lift a finger" to help his hometown with additional medical equipment during the crisis.
