Donald Trump has carried through with his threat to end US funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depriving the body of $500m (£399m) per year at the height of the global coronavirus pandemic, blaming the body for “covering up” the outbreak in its early stages without offering any evidence for his contention.
He contended on Tuesday that the US is a "developing nation" and complained about "unfair" treatment from the organisation after accusing its officials of "knowing exactly what was going on" as the outbreak developed. His remarks this week follow several reports illustrating his failure to heed multiple warnings over several weeks to prepare for the virus, which analysts predict cost thousands of lives.
The president's decision to suspend WHO funding has drawn considerable criticism, with the UN, EU and the American Medical Association all expressing outrage and one professor describing the gambit as “one of the least productive, most short-sighted, self-motivated and hypocritical acts I have ever witnessed”.
In response, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that "now is the time for us to be united against a common struggle, a common enemy."
"When we're divided, the virus exploits the cracks between us," he said.
The president, eager and impatient to "re-open" the economy, will being announcing plans for some states to phase out their quarantine efforts, as the US death toll from Covid-19 reaches nearly 28,000 lives, following Tuesday’s single-day rise of 2,082, setting a grim new record with the US reporting than three times as many cases of the virus as any other.
Vice President Mike Pence said the new guidance will offer some states "greater flexibility" as the US looks to relax its quarantine efforts to resume business as usual.
Meanwhile, the president made an unprecedented threat to adjourn the US Senate and Congress, blaming Democrats as he grows frustrated waiting for approval for his administrative appointments.
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Trump blames WHO for 'covering up' coronavirus and cuts funding
Donald Trump has carried through with his threat to end US funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO), depriving the body of $500m (£399m) per year at the height of the global coronavirus pandemic, blaming the body for “covering up” the outbreak in its early stages without offering any evidence for his contention.
“The reality is the WHO failed to obtain, vet and share information in a timely fashion,” the US president said. “The WHO failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable.”
Trump himself has of course received widespread criticism for the slow federal response to the crisis, which he initially dismissed as a “hoax” and then spent several weeks insisting was “under control” without taking decisive action, so is naturally hungry for a scapegoat.
Trump himself has of course received widespread criticism for the slow federal response to the crisis, which he initially dismissed as a “hoax” and then spent several weeks insisting was “under control” without taking decisive action, so is naturally hungry for a scapegoat.
The decision has already drawn considerable criticism, with UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres saying “Now is the time for unity” and Dr Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association, calling it “a dangerous step in the wrong direction that will not make defeating Covid-19 easier”.
"The move sends the wrong message during the middle of a pandemic," agreed Dr Amesh Adalja of Johns Hopkins University's Center for Health Security, putting it mildly.
On Capitol Hill, the response was far stronger.
"With each passing day of this worsening crisis, the president is showing us his political playbook: blame the WHO, blame China, blame his political opponents, blame his predecessors - do whatever it takes to deflect from the fact that his administration mismanaged this crisis and it's now costing thousands of American lives," said Eliot Engel, Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Senator Patrick Leahy, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the move "makes as much sense as cutting off ammunition to an ally as the enemy closes in."
"The White House knows that it grossly mishandled this crisis from the beginning, ignoring multiple warnings and squandering valuable time, dismissing medical science, comparing Covid-19 to the common cold, and saying 'everything will be fine,'" he added. "Not wanting to take responsibility as the deaths continue to mount, he blames others."
Senator Chris Murphy said the call was a "grade school caliber attempt to deflect attention from his China fawning and his ongoing negligence since."
On Capitol Hill, the response was far stronger.
"With each passing day of this worsening crisis, the president is showing us his political playbook: blame the WHO, blame China, blame his political opponents, blame his predecessors - do whatever it takes to deflect from the fact that his administration mismanaged this crisis and it's now costing thousands of American lives," said Eliot Engel, Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Senator Patrick Leahy, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the move "makes as much sense as cutting off ammunition to an ally as the enemy closes in."
"The White House knows that it grossly mishandled this crisis from the beginning, ignoring multiple warnings and squandering valuable time, dismissing medical science, comparing Covid-19 to the common cold, and saying 'everything will be fine,'" he added. "Not wanting to take responsibility as the deaths continue to mount, he blames others."
Senator Chris Murphy said the call was a "grade school caliber attempt to deflect attention from his China fawning and his ongoing negligence since."
Senator Tina Smith and representatives Karen Bass and Jesus Garcia felt it represented an "abdication of international responsibility and leadership", while House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff tweeted the following, clearly dispirited and disgusted:
By way of contrast with Trump, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardhern showed how it ought to be done when she responded: "At a time like this when we need to be sharing information and we need to have advice we can rely on, the WHO has provided that. We will continue to support it and continue to make our contributions."
US death toll sees new record for single-day increase
That masterstroke - to deprive the WHO of 15 per cent of its annual budget out of misplaced spite in a moment of total international catastrophe - came as the US death toll increased to 25,700, with Tuesday’s single-day rise of 2,082 setting a grim new record and the country now recording more than three times as many cases of the virus as any other.
New York City, the US epicentre, revised its death toll sharply up to more than 10,000, to include victims presumed to have died of the lung disease but never tested.
The new cumulative figure for "confirmed and probable Covid-19 deaths" released by the New York City Health Department marked a staggering increase of over 3,700 deaths formally attributed to the highly contagious illness since 11 March.
The 60 per cent spike in reported deaths underscored the enormous losses endured in the nation's most populous city, where the sounds of wailing sirens have echoed almost non-stop through largely empty streets for weeks.
"Behind every death is a friend, a family member, a loved on," commented health commissioner Dr Oxiris Barbot. "We are focused on ensuring that every New Yorker who died because of Covid-19 gets counted."
The new cumulative figure for "confirmed and probable Covid-19 deaths" released by the New York City Health Department marked a staggering increase of over 3,700 deaths formally attributed to the highly contagious illness since 11 March.
The 60 per cent spike in reported deaths underscored the enormous losses endured in the nation's most populous city, where the sounds of wailing sirens have echoed almost non-stop through largely empty streets for weeks.
"Behind every death is a friend, a family member, a loved on," commented health commissioner Dr Oxiris Barbot. "We are focused on ensuring that every New Yorker who died because of Covid-19 gets counted."
Oliver O'Connell has this report.
President rows back on claim of 'absolute' power over state governors
In addition to annoucing that utterly absurd decision, Trump's latest White House press briefing from the Rose Garden saw him "joking" about considering himself a king (#KingTrump is trending on Twitter at the time of writing) but walking back on his bluster about having "absolute" authority over when states can and should end their lockdown measures and reopen for business.
Mere hours after suggesting that the bipartisan concerns of governors about his assertion of power would amount to an insurrection worthy of Mutiny on the Bounty, Trump abruptly reversed course, saying he would leave it to governors to determine the right time and manner to revive activity in their states and said he hopes to discuss a plan with them on Thursday.
"The governors are responsible," he said. "They have to take charge."
A wise U-turn. When even Liz Cheney, daughter of George W Bush's all-powerful veep Dick, thinks your claims to total authority go too far, you should probably reconsider.
The president also reiterated his ambition to reopen the country "in beautiful little pieces" (only for Doctor Anthony Fauci to warn that his preferred 1 May target was "overly optimistic"), expressed frustration at having to watch re-runs of old baseball games and found time for a fresh spat with a lobby journalist, this time Brian Karem, whom he labelled "a showboat" and "a loudmouth".
An odd passage of the address in which he reeled off the names of great American companies suffering under the shutdown also drew groans of disbelief.
John T Bennett was watching.
In addition to annoucing that utterly absurd decision, Trump's latest White House press briefing from the Rose Garden saw him "joking" about considering himself a king (#KingTrump is trending on Twitter at the time of writing) but walking back on his bluster about having "absolute" authority over when states can and should end their lockdown measures and reopen for business.
Mere hours after suggesting that the bipartisan concerns of governors about his assertion of power would amount to an insurrection worthy of Mutiny on the Bounty, Trump abruptly reversed course, saying he would leave it to governors to determine the right time and manner to revive activity in their states and said he hopes to discuss a plan with them on Thursday.
"The governors are responsible," he said. "They have to take charge."
A wise U-turn. When even Liz Cheney, daughter of George W Bush's all-powerful veep Dick, thinks your claims to total authority go too far, you should probably reconsider.
The president also reiterated his ambition to reopen the country "in beautiful little pieces" (only for Doctor Anthony Fauci to warn that his preferred 1 May target was "overly optimistic"), expressed frustration at having to watch re-runs of old baseball games and found time for a fresh spat with a lobby journalist, this time Brian Karem, whom he labelled "a showboat" and "a loudmouth".
An odd passage of the address in which he reeled off the names of great American companies suffering under the shutdown also drew groans of disbelief.
John T Bennett was watching.
Delivery of stimulus cheques delayed so Trump’s name can be printed on each one
The US Treasury Department has ordered the president’s name to be printed on the $1,200 (£958) cheques the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is sending out to an estimated 70m American households, a decision that will slow their delivery by several days, according to The Washington Post.
The US Treasury Department has ordered the president’s name to be printed on the $1,200 (£958) cheques the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is sending out to an estimated 70m American households, a decision that will slow their delivery by several days, according to The Washington Post.
The bailouts are being dispatched as part of a $2.3trn (£1.8trn) package enacted last month to cushion the economic blow from the novel coronavirus outbreak and will “bear Trump’s name in the memo line, below a line that reads, ‘Economic Impact Payment.’”
The Post said the decision to include Trump’s name was announced to IRS IT staff on Tuesday.
“The team, working from home, is now racing to implement a programming change that two senior officials said will likely lead to a delay in issuing the first batch of paper checks,” the Treasury says.
Unbelievable.
Here's Peter Stubley's report.
US Treasury says major airlines have agreed to $25bn rescue package
America's biggest airlines have tentatively agreed to terms for $25bn (£19.9bn) in government aid to pay workers and avoid massive layoffs in an industry that has been slammed by the coronavirus pandemic.
America's biggest airlines have tentatively agreed to terms for $25bn (£19.9bn) in government aid to pay workers and avoid massive layoffs in an industry that has been slammed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The assistance will include a mix of cash and loans, with the government getting warrants that can be converted into small ownership stakes in the leading airlines.
Ten airlines - including Delta, American, United and Southwest - fell in line after objecting to some of the department's demands. Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday that his team would work to finalise the deals and hand over the money as quickly as possible and that talks were continuing with other carriers.
The airlines entered 2020 riding a decade-long hot streak in which together they earned tens of billions of dollars due to strong travel demand. They bought new planes, enriched shareholders and hired thousands more workers.
That streak came to a crashing end in just a few weeks, as governments restricted travel to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, and people feared contracting the illness on a plane. Air travel ground to a near complete halt. Airlines cut thousands of flights, and those that remain often carry just a few passengers.
With the payroll grants, airlines and their workers got special treatment in last month's $2.3trn (£1.8trn) measure designed to help businesses and workers get through the pandemic, which has hit every sector of the economy.
President Trump - mindful of criticism that the government was bailing out a previously profitable industry - said the deals will support airline workers and protect taxpayers.
"Our airlines are now in good shape, and they will get over a very tough period of time that was not caused by them," he said yesterday.
Additional reporting by AP
Additional reporting by AP
'One of the least productive, most short-sighted, self-motivated and hypocritical acts I have ever witnessed'
Trump's decision to cut WHO funding is not going down well, it has to be said.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell Fontelles, wrote on Twitter this morning:
Here's a little more expert opinion:
“The strength of the WHO is that it is able to bring together public health experts from around the world to exchange information, review scientific evidence, and make evidence based consensus recommendations on disease prevention and control. The WHO has continued to function in this manner during the Covid-19 pandemic providing real time guidance as it receives, reviews and analyses scientific evidence in peer reviewed publications and from experts working together virtually, despite the geopolitical tensions that exist in the world. I have no doubt that WHO will continue to work in this manner during the Covid-19 pandemic as a reliable and trusted source of information and guidance to countries around the world.”
- David Heymann, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Trump's decision to cut WHO funding is not going down well, it has to be said.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell Fontelles, wrote on Twitter this morning:
Here's a little more expert opinion:
“The strength of the WHO is that it is able to bring together public health experts from around the world to exchange information, review scientific evidence, and make evidence based consensus recommendations on disease prevention and control. The WHO has continued to function in this manner during the Covid-19 pandemic providing real time guidance as it receives, reviews and analyses scientific evidence in peer reviewed publications and from experts working together virtually, despite the geopolitical tensions that exist in the world. I have no doubt that WHO will continue to work in this manner during the Covid-19 pandemic as a reliable and trusted source of information and guidance to countries around the world.”
- David Heymann, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
“Politically volatile leadership is rarely constructive or helpful at times of crisis. The influence of the USA on global health is very strong. $105bn has been spent on infectious disease research and US-based funders provide 78 per cent of the overall funding. Specifically for coronavirus research, the US provided 77 per cent of the research investment. The WHO role is more taking new knowledge from research and creating policy, guidance, and surveillance. But if the USA acts provocatively over global health and biosecurity, it will become a very big problem. The effects would be seen worldwide, but also rebounding back onto the USA where high-threat pathogens would be more likely to occur in future."
- Dr Michael Head, Senior Research Fellow in Global Health, University of Southampton
“This most recent intervention in public health policy by President Trump is perhaps one of the least productive, most short-sighted, self-motivated and hypocritical acts I have ever witnessed. As far as I can ascertain, it has no foundation in reality. I suspect this move has the support of precisely 0 per cent of the US scientific and healthcare communities, and, I would hope, only a small minority of the population as a whole. The situation in the US and the world over amounts to a crisis, and one in which we must stand together. WHO is perhaps one of the best means of achieving this and deserves the support and respect of all countries.”
- Dr Stephen Griffin, Associate Professor, School of Medicine, University of Leeds
So that what's the experts professionals think. Let's turn now to one of Trump's toadiest cheerleaders this side of the pond to see if he has the audacity to contradict them. Oh look, he does.
Greg Evans has this for Indy100 on the opinion of that renowned healthcare expert "Dr" Nigel Farage, last seen broadcasting from his couch on Facebook in a pair of grotesquely small shorts.
'Trump’s coronavirus response is disastrous - but at least it is scrutinised'
Here's the latest damning assessment of Trump from our cartoonist Dave Brown...
...and, for Indy Premium, Matthew Norman applauds the Washington press corps for refusing to allow the president's erratic decisions and creaky record to go unchallenged.
Here's the latest damning assessment of Trump from our cartoonist Dave Brown...
...and, for Indy Premium, Matthew Norman applauds the Washington press corps for refusing to allow the president's erratic decisions and creaky record to go unchallenged.
Republican congressman says coronavirus deaths 'lesser of two evils' compared with economic turmoil
Indiana representative Trey Hollingsworth has told an interviewer that opening up the American economy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic would be “the lesser of two evils”.
Hollingsworth, who has represented the state’s ninth congressional district since 2017, was asked by WIBC radio host Tony Katz whether the federal government’s response to the pandemic was the right one - specifically, its instruction to Americans that staying at home is necessary to stop the virus in its tracks.
He answered that it was up to policymakers to "put on their big-boy or big-girl pants".
No, really.
Here's Andrew Naughtie's story.
Nancy Pelosi in stinging rebuke to 'weak' Trump: 'Americans must ignore lies and start to listen to scientists'
House speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote an absolutely scorching letter to her Democratic colleagues yesterday on Trump's leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, accusing him of causing "unnecessary deaths and economic disaster" by ignoring the multiple warnings he was given.
"We will overcome this moment, but success requires one fundamental from which all actions will follow: we need the truth," she wrote.
"The truth is, from this moment on, Americans must ignore lies and start to listen to scientists and other respected professionals in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones."
"The truth is a weak person, a poor leader, takes no responsibility," she added. "A weak person blames others."
She subsequently delivered a version of the same message to the public via a thread on Twitter:
House speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote an absolutely scorching letter to her Democratic colleagues yesterday on Trump's leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, accusing him of causing "unnecessary deaths and economic disaster" by ignoring the multiple warnings he was given.
"We will overcome this moment, but success requires one fundamental from which all actions will follow: we need the truth," she wrote.
"The truth is, from this moment on, Americans must ignore lies and start to listen to scientists and other respected professionals in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones."
"The truth is a weak person, a poor leader, takes no responsibility," she added. "A weak person blames others."
She subsequently delivered a version of the same message to the public via a thread on Twitter:
'Obama has endorsed Biden - but we don't need another presidency like his'
Barack Obama yesterday published a 12-minute video on social media finally announcing his endorsement of Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee to take on Trump in November, a clip in which he also generously praised Bernie Sanders and said he would not run on the same platforms today as he had in 2008 if he had his time again.
For Indy Voices, Danielle Campoamor says now is no time for a repeat of the centrist values he stood for in office.
Trump fundraisers attempt to capitalise on anti-China sentiment to secure campaign donations
A fundraising committee for Trump’s re-election is using his renewed attacks on the Chinese government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic to mobilise donors, urging supporters in an email on Tuesday to “hold China accountable” by contributing to his campaign.
Justice Department intervenes after Christians fined for attending 'drive-in' church
The Trump administration has weighed in on a case involving a Mississippi church that sued the city of Greenville after local officials fined residents for attending its drive-in religious services on Easter Sunday.
In a Statement of Interest filed on Tuesday, the federal department sided with church leaders and suggested the city’s actions were effectively targeting forms of religious conduct during the coronavirus pandemic.
US attorney general William Barr said in a statement his Justice Department will work to uphold the constitutional right to freely practice religion as states and cities seek to contain the spread of the coronavirus by limiting worship services.
Here's Chris Riotta's report.
The Trump administration has weighed in on a case involving a Mississippi church that sued the city of Greenville after local officials fined residents for attending its drive-in religious services on Easter Sunday.
In a Statement of Interest filed on Tuesday, the federal department sided with church leaders and suggested the city’s actions were effectively targeting forms of religious conduct during the coronavirus pandemic.
US attorney general William Barr said in a statement his Justice Department will work to uphold the constitutional right to freely practice religion as states and cities seek to contain the spread of the coronavirus by limiting worship services.
Here's Chris Riotta's report.
Elizabeth Warren endorses Joe Biden
The Massachusetts senator, who ended her own campaign for the presidency in early March, becomes the latest party elder to back the Democratic nominee-in-waiting following Bernie Sanders' decision to drop out of the race.
The Massachusetts senator, who ended her own campaign for the presidency in early March, becomes the latest party elder to back the Democratic nominee-in-waiting following Bernie Sanders' decision to drop out of the race.
Court blocks Trump administration push to make school meals saltier and less healthy
A District Court of Maryland has blocked the Trump administration’s proposals on lowering American school food standards, as you would very much hope they would.
"Let them eat hamberders," you can just hear him say.
Here's Gino Spocchia's report.
A District Court of Maryland has blocked the Trump administration’s proposals on lowering American school food standards, as you would very much hope they would.
"Let them eat hamberders," you can just hear him say.
Here's Gino Spocchia's report.
AOC says it’s ‘legitimate to talk about’ sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden
One of the Democratic party’s most popular progressives has said that allegations of sexual assault made against her party’s presidential nominee deserve to be discussed seriously.
Speaking as part of an online forum hosted by The Wing, a global community for “the professional, civic, social, and economic advancement of women”, New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was asked about the allegations made against Biden by former staffer Tara Reade.
As reported by CBS, one of the questioners on the platform mentioned her disappointment that the Democratic candidate set to stand against Trump had ended up being Biden, whom she said “has a really long history of being creepy to women”.
Ocasio-Cortez responded: “What you’re voicing is so legitimate and real. That’s why I find this kind of silencing of all dissent to be a form of gaslighting.”
“I think it’s legitimate to talk about these things. And if we want, if we again want to have integrity, you can’t say, you know - both believe women, support all of this, until it inconveniences you, until it inconveniences us.”
Andrew Naughtie has more.
One of the Democratic party’s most popular progressives has said that allegations of sexual assault made against her party’s presidential nominee deserve to be discussed seriously.
Speaking as part of an online forum hosted by The Wing, a global community for “the professional, civic, social, and economic advancement of women”, New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was asked about the allegations made against Biden by former staffer Tara Reade.
As reported by CBS, one of the questioners on the platform mentioned her disappointment that the Democratic candidate set to stand against Trump had ended up being Biden, whom she said “has a really long history of being creepy to women”.
Ocasio-Cortez responded: “What you’re voicing is so legitimate and real. That’s why I find this kind of silencing of all dissent to be a form of gaslighting.”
“I think it’s legitimate to talk about these things. And if we want, if we again want to have integrity, you can’t say, you know - both believe women, support all of this, until it inconveniences you, until it inconveniences us.”
Andrew Naughtie has more.
Bill Gates condemns Trump’s ‘dangerous’ decision to halt WHO funding
The Microsoft founder has joined the chorus of condemnation over Trump's decision to suspend funding to the WHO, saying the move is “as dangerous as it sounds”.
“Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organisation can replace them. The world needs the WHO now more than ever,” the billionnaire wrote on Twitter.
Gino Spocchia has more on this.
The Microsoft founder has joined the chorus of condemnation over Trump's decision to suspend funding to the WHO, saying the move is “as dangerous as it sounds”.
“Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organisation can replace them. The world needs the WHO now more than ever,” the billionnaire wrote on Twitter.
Gino Spocchia has more on this.
Fox Business host questions Trump raging at governors over 'mutiny'
Neil Cavuto - one of the handful of Fox anchors, along with Chris Wallace, unafraid to have a crack at the champ - did so again on his show last night after the president raged on Twitter about insurrection among state governors.
Cavuto said Trump's words were "surprising, because he was the one himself who left it up to the governors to decide if they wanted to practice social distancing and shelter-at-home provisions".
“He was never critical of Florida governor Ron DeSantis, among the later entrants in that policy,” the newsman continued. “So the states say they ultimately want to decide - as the Constitution provides - whether it’s safe or not to reopen, and then all of the sudden it’s a bad Mutiny on the Bounty... That I don’t get. The Constitution allows them to do that.”
“It’s not to say that the president lacks a powerful bully pulpit, he indeed does,” Cavuto went on. “But it is not the law of the land, it is not in our Constitution. And it invites a sort of confusion on the part of people who want to know, you’ve granted us - the states - the power to do a lot of the things you said we should decide at our level, and now you’ve come up with a decision that is counter to that. We are the ones ignoring policy and the Constitution? It’s crazy.”
Cavuto was not the only one at it.
His colleague, Brett Bair, said (rightly) yesterday that "Conservatives’ heads would have exploded" if President Obama had ever claimed total authority, as Trump did on Monday.
Here's James Crump with the details on that one.
Neil Cavuto - one of the handful of Fox anchors, along with Chris Wallace, unafraid to have a crack at the champ - did so again on his show last night after the president raged on Twitter about insurrection among state governors.
Cavuto said Trump's words were "surprising, because he was the one himself who left it up to the governors to decide if they wanted to practice social distancing and shelter-at-home provisions".
“He was never critical of Florida governor Ron DeSantis, among the later entrants in that policy,” the newsman continued. “So the states say they ultimately want to decide - as the Constitution provides - whether it’s safe or not to reopen, and then all of the sudden it’s a bad Mutiny on the Bounty... That I don’t get. The Constitution allows them to do that.”
“It’s not to say that the president lacks a powerful bully pulpit, he indeed does,” Cavuto went on. “But it is not the law of the land, it is not in our Constitution. And it invites a sort of confusion on the part of people who want to know, you’ve granted us - the states - the power to do a lot of the things you said we should decide at our level, and now you’ve come up with a decision that is counter to that. We are the ones ignoring policy and the Constitution? It’s crazy.”
Cavuto was not the only one at it.
His colleague, Brett Bair, said (rightly) yesterday that "Conservatives’ heads would have exploded" if President Obama had ever claimed total authority, as Trump did on Monday.
Here's James Crump with the details on that one.
'This is Covid-19, not Covid-1, folks'
White House counsel Kellyanne Conway came out with this brilliant statement on Fox and Friends this morning, apparently not understanding that the disease is tagged that because it was first identified in 2019, not because there have been 18 previous strains of it that those lugheads over at the World Health Organisation have failed to quash.
Not a career highlight from an individual who already has a great deal to be ashamed of.
White House counsel Kellyanne Conway came out with this brilliant statement on Fox and Friends this morning, apparently not understanding that the disease is tagged that because it was first identified in 2019, not because there have been 18 previous strains of it that those lugheads over at the World Health Organisation have failed to quash.
Not a career highlight from an individual who already has a great deal to be ashamed of.
Millionaires receive $1.7m in coronavirus relief as most taxpayers get $1,200 payments thanks to hidden Republican loophole
Oh boy. Not only are American taxpayers getting their cheques late because of Trump's vanity, they're also getting ripped off.
Chris Riotta has the grisly details.
Oh boy. Not only are American taxpayers getting their cheques late because of Trump's vanity, they're also getting ripped off.
Chris Riotta has the grisly details.
