Donald Trump has reeled off coronavirus-related headlines during his White House press briefing in a bid to show viewers what his administration has done amid the pandemic.
At the start of the press briefing, the president help up a number of articles focused on the lack of ventilators the states needed compared to what was originally anticipated. He claimed testing was now becoming the new ventilator situation where governors and the media claimed more was needed than in reality.
In the same breath, the president also launched an attack against Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican. He claimed the governor had no clue what was going on with his state's lab situation when it came to mass testing.
"Some of the governors ... for example the governor of Maryland didn't really understand. He didn't really understand what was going on. It's pretty simple," the president said.
Vice President Mike Pence later clarified the president's statements during the briefing about the governor after holding a phone call with all 50 state governors earlier on Monday. Governor Hogan expressed concerns federal labs would not assist with testing during the phone call, and Mr Pence said they would be employed.
"We have enough testing capacity for every state in America to go to phase one," Mr Pence said.
Already states including Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee have announced how they would move into phase one of reopening their states amid the pandemic.
In Georgia, industries including barbers, gyms, and other small businesses would reopen this Friday. Tennessee said it would reopen specific counties as early as next Monday, and South Carolina said its public beaches could reopen as early as Tuesday.
In Congress, both the House and the Senate were working on a bipartisan agreement for another stimulus package, which would go towards small businesses. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats a deal could be reached tonight. If so, a vote could happen as early as Wednesday. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate might reach an agreement by Tuesday afternoon.
One area of concern with the new stimulus package was that it left out state and local governments. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo continued his plea during his own press briefing on Monday for the federal government to provide more funding.
The New York governor said his state needed unrestricted funding in order to start its reopening processes and pay frontline workers. His demands might be discussed on Tuesday in-person, as the president announced Mr Cuomo would be visiting him in the Oval Office.
Hello and welcome to The Independent's rolling coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in the US and the Donald Trump administration's response to it.
Trump hails anti-lockdown protesters and says some governors have 'gone too far'
Donald Trump has expressed sympathy for the armed anti-lockdown protesters who demonstrated at state capitals across the country over the weekend demanding the US end its coronavirus restrictions, the president characterising them as “great people” and nothing more sinister than patriots with “cabin fever”.
Yep, these guys...
Donald Trump has expressed sympathy for the armed anti-lockdown protesters who demonstrated at state capitals across the country over the weekend demanding the US end its coronavirus restrictions, the president characterising them as “great people” and nothing more sinister than patriots with “cabin fever”.
Yep, these guys...
In another fractious White House press briefing on Sunday, Trump was asked whether or not he was concerned about the alarming spectacle of self-appointed militia brandishing assault rifles on American streets.
"No, I am not. I've never seen so many American flags," he replied. "These people love our country. They want to get back to work."
"They've got cabin fever," he added. "They want their lives back."
He also took the opportunity to pin the blame for their frustrations on state governors.
"Some have gone too far. Some governors have gone too far. Some of the things that happened are maybe not so appropriate," he said. "And I think in the end it’s not going to matter because we're starting to open up our states, and I think they're going to open up very well."
"As far as protesters, you know, I see protesters for all sorts of things," he added. "And I’m with everybody. I'm with everybody."
The response - which again found the president refusing to condemn the dangerous actions of vigilantes who might be persuaded to vote for him - will inevitably remind many of his notorious verdict that there were good people on both sides at the "Unite the Right" neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, which ended in deadly violence.
He wasn't the only one to say something dumb about the weekend's scenes.
His sometime economic adviser Stephen Moore, whose nomination to the board of the Federal Reserve had to be scrapped last year after his views on female basketball referees resurfaced, had the audacity to compare these pro-coronavirus chowderheads to civil rights heroine Rosa Parks.
Here's Richard Hall's report on Moore.
President blames ‘globalists’ for supply chain delays in fractious press briefing
Trump otherwise spent yesterday battling with journalists and soothed his wounded ego by lashing out at “wise guy” governors, blaming his predecessor Barack Obama for leaving him with a federal stockpile of “garbage” ventilators and “globalists” for delays to sourcing replacements.
With the US death toll now north of 41,000 and the number of Covid-19 cases at 771,980, the president appeared to expect praise for the prospect of the country achieving the pyrrhic victory of 60,000 fatalities, which is "40,000 less than the lowest number thought of", he said.
Trump was thereafter busy complaining about the "human scum" running the FBI and the bad press he gets and expressing a grudge against Utah GOP senator Mitt Romney for voting for his impeachment in February.
In another bad tempered session, he told Wejia Jiang of CBS to "keep your voice down" and Jeremy Diamond of CNN: "You don't have the brains you were born with."
Some coverage he was happy with came from The Wall Street Journal, but even that he expressed in bizarrely phallic fashion: "It was hard to get it aroused. And it is hard to get it aroused. But we got it aroused."
Interestingly, he also backed away from his advocacy of hydroxychloroquine, just as Novartis and the US FDA agreed to conduct a trial of the anti-malaria drug on coronavirus sufferers, following weeks of the president and his Fox News allies cheerleading for the treatment.
Here's Griffin Connolly's report.
Trump otherwise spent yesterday battling with journalists and soothed his wounded ego by lashing out at “wise guy” governors, blaming his predecessor Barack Obama for leaving him with a federal stockpile of “garbage” ventilators and “globalists” for delays to sourcing replacements.
With the US death toll now north of 41,000 and the number of Covid-19 cases at 771,980, the president appeared to expect praise for the prospect of the country achieving the pyrrhic victory of 60,000 fatalities, which is "40,000 less than the lowest number thought of", he said.
Trump was thereafter busy complaining about the "human scum" running the FBI and the bad press he gets and expressing a grudge against Utah GOP senator Mitt Romney for voting for his impeachment in February.
In another bad tempered session, he told Wejia Jiang of CBS to "keep your voice down" and Jeremy Diamond of CNN: "You don't have the brains you were born with."
Some coverage he was happy with came from The Wall Street Journal, but even that he expressed in bizarrely phallic fashion: "It was hard to get it aroused. And it is hard to get it aroused. But we got it aroused."
Interestingly, he also backed away from his advocacy of hydroxychloroquine, just as Novartis and the US FDA agreed to conduct a trial of the anti-malaria drug on coronavirus sufferers, following weeks of the president and his Fox News allies cheerleading for the treatment.
Here's Griffin Connolly's report.
Andrew Cuomo: New York is finally 'past its peak' of Covid-19 cases
Another weird moment in yesterday's briefing came when the president played an extended clip of New York’s Andrew Cuomo praising him - and was annoyed when it was cut short, insisting the extract be played in full.
Here are some of Cuomo's other thoughts on the president you might enjoy.
In more important news from the governor, he announced yesterday that his state, which has found itself the American epicentre of the outbreak, is finally “past its peak” of Covid-19 cases.
Cuomo reported on Sunday that New York had experienced its second consecutive day of declines in the death rate, with 507 dying on Saturday, down 43 on Friday.
"If the data holds, and if this trend holds, we are past the high point," he said at a press briefing at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, Long Island.
"The recent news is good, that we are on the other side of the plateau and the numbers are coming down.
"But that's good news only compared to the terrible news that we were living with, which is that constant increase."
New York City has borne the brunt of the US coronavirus onslaught, with more than 226,000 infections and at least 13,000 deaths to date.
Here's Griffin Connolly again on a new poll indicating Cuomo and Dr Anthony Fauci are more popular and trusted than the President Trump, which, you'd have to say, is not altogether surprising.
Another weird moment in yesterday's briefing came when the president played an extended clip of New York’s Andrew Cuomo praising him - and was annoyed when it was cut short, insisting the extract be played in full.
Here are some of Cuomo's other thoughts on the president you might enjoy.
In more important news from the governor, he announced yesterday that his state, which has found itself the American epicentre of the outbreak, is finally “past its peak” of Covid-19 cases.
Cuomo reported on Sunday that New York had experienced its second consecutive day of declines in the death rate, with 507 dying on Saturday, down 43 on Friday.
"If the data holds, and if this trend holds, we are past the high point," he said at a press briefing at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, Long Island.
"The recent news is good, that we are on the other side of the plateau and the numbers are coming down.
"But that's good news only compared to the terrible news that we were living with, which is that constant increase."
New York City has borne the brunt of the US coronavirus onslaught, with more than 226,000 infections and at least 13,000 deaths to date.
Here's Griffin Connolly again on a new poll indicating Cuomo and Dr Anthony Fauci are more popular and trusted than the President Trump, which, you'd have to say, is not altogether surprising.
New $450bn relief package in sight as White House and Congress 'hopeful' of deal
The Trump administration and Congress expect an agreement on Monday on an aid package of up to $450bn (£361bn) to boost a small-business loan programme that has run out of money and add funds for hospitals and Covid-19 testing.
As talks continued, Trump said there's a "good chance" of reaching a bipartisan agreement with Democrats. "We are very close to a deal," he said yesterday at the White House.
Along with the small business boost, Trump said the negotiators were looking at "helping our hospitals," particularly hard-hit rural health care providers.
The Senate is scheduled for a pro forma session on Monday, but no vote has been set.
The House announced it could meet as soon as Wednesday for a vote on the pending package, according to a schedule update from majority leader Steny Hoyer.
With small-business owners reeling during a coronavirus outbreak that has shuttered much economic activity, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said he was hopeful of a deal that could pass Congress quickly and get the Small Business Administration programme back up by midweek.
"I'm hopeful that we can get that done," Mnuchin said on Sunday.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer also said he believed a deal could be reached. "We still have a few more details to deal with," he said.
The emerging accord links the administration's effort to replenish a small-business with Democrats' demands for more money for hospitals and virus testing. It would provide $300bn (£240bn) for small-business payroll programme and $50bn (£40bn) would be available for small business disaster fund. Additionally, it would bring $75bn (£60bn) for hospitals and $25bn (£20bn) for testing, according to those involved in the talks.
On a conference call on Sunday afternoon that included Trump, Mnuchin and Republican senators, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell ndicated the only remaining item for discussion involved the money for testing, according to a Senate GOP leadership aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private call.
But Democrats have been insisting on boosting funding to cash-strapped states and local governments whose revenues have cratered. In weekend talks, they had proposed $150bn (£120bn) for the effort.
"We are pushing hard," Schumer said.
The Trump administration and Congress expect an agreement on Monday on an aid package of up to $450bn (£361bn) to boost a small-business loan programme that has run out of money and add funds for hospitals and Covid-19 testing.
As talks continued, Trump said there's a "good chance" of reaching a bipartisan agreement with Democrats. "We are very close to a deal," he said yesterday at the White House.
Along with the small business boost, Trump said the negotiators were looking at "helping our hospitals," particularly hard-hit rural health care providers.
The Senate is scheduled for a pro forma session on Monday, but no vote has been set.
The House announced it could meet as soon as Wednesday for a vote on the pending package, according to a schedule update from majority leader Steny Hoyer.
With small-business owners reeling during a coronavirus outbreak that has shuttered much economic activity, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said he was hopeful of a deal that could pass Congress quickly and get the Small Business Administration programme back up by midweek.
"I'm hopeful that we can get that done," Mnuchin said on Sunday.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer also said he believed a deal could be reached. "We still have a few more details to deal with," he said.
The emerging accord links the administration's effort to replenish a small-business with Democrats' demands for more money for hospitals and virus testing. It would provide $300bn (£240bn) for small-business payroll programme and $50bn (£40bn) would be available for small business disaster fund. Additionally, it would bring $75bn (£60bn) for hospitals and $25bn (£20bn) for testing, according to those involved in the talks.
On a conference call on Sunday afternoon that included Trump, Mnuchin and Republican senators, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell ndicated the only remaining item for discussion involved the money for testing, according to a Senate GOP leadership aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private call.
But Democrats have been insisting on boosting funding to cash-strapped states and local governments whose revenues have cratered. In weekend talks, they had proposed $150bn (£120bn) for the effort.
"We are pushing hard," Schumer said.
Administration comes together to shield president from growing criticism
They're circling the wagons over at the White House.
Secretary Mnuchin was on CNN's State of the Union with Jake Tapper on Sunday to say it was "my idea" to put the president's name on the $1,200 (£958) stimulus cheques - a vanity gesture that added a needless delay, keeping 70m US households lean and hungry.
"It’s a terrific symbol to the American public,” he told a typically unimpressed Tapper.
Meanwhile, Mike Pence was batting away questions about the president's wildly inflammatory "LIBERATE" tweets from Friday night on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace.
“What you see, I think, among millions of Americans who have been embracing those social distancing measures and making the sacrifices is they want their governors to find a way to responsibly and safely reopen their state economies,” the vice president flubbed in response to Wallace's grilling on the anti-lockdown protests.
But the toadiest of all was Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who got absolutely roasted for this tweet on Saturday, praising his master as the greatest testing President God has ever created".
Yuck. He certainly is testing.
Here's Griffin Connolly on Pence.
They're circling the wagons over at the White House.
Secretary Mnuchin was on CNN's State of the Union with Jake Tapper on Sunday to say it was "my idea" to put the president's name on the $1,200 (£958) stimulus cheques - a vanity gesture that added a needless delay, keeping 70m US households lean and hungry.
"It’s a terrific symbol to the American public,” he told a typically unimpressed Tapper.
Meanwhile, Mike Pence was batting away questions about the president's wildly inflammatory "LIBERATE" tweets from Friday night on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace.
“What you see, I think, among millions of Americans who have been embracing those social distancing measures and making the sacrifices is they want their governors to find a way to responsibly and safely reopen their state economies,” the vice president flubbed in response to Wallace's grilling on the anti-lockdown protests.
But the toadiest of all was Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who got absolutely roasted for this tweet on Saturday, praising his master as the greatest testing President God has ever created".
Yuck. He certainly is testing.
Here's Griffin Connolly on Pence.
Nancy Pelosi: 'Trump is always trying to avoid responsibility'
Also guesting on Chris Wallace's show yesterday was the House speaker.
She again labelled Trump a "weak leader" for scapegoating others and the president was NOT amused:
Danielle Zoellner has this report.
Also guesting on Chris Wallace's show yesterday was the House speaker.
She again labelled Trump a "weak leader" for scapegoating others and the president was NOT amused:
Danielle Zoellner has this report.
Bill de Blasio asks Trump: 'Are you telling New York City to drop dead?'
The mayor of New York City yesterday likened the Big Apple's need for federal funding to a famous stand-off between City Hall and Gerald Ford in 1975 and a notorious headline from The New York Daily News.
“There was that famous Daily News cover that said ‘Ford to City: Drop Dead,’” De Blasio said in his Sunday press conference on Covid-19. “So my question is, Mr Trump, Mr President, are you going to save New York City or are you telling New York City to drop dead? Which one is it?”
The mayor of New York City yesterday likened the Big Apple's need for federal funding to a famous stand-off between City Hall and Gerald Ford in 1975 and a notorious headline from The New York Daily News.
“There was that famous Daily News cover that said ‘Ford to City: Drop Dead,’” De Blasio said in his Sunday press conference on Covid-19. “So my question is, Mr Trump, Mr President, are you going to save New York City or are you telling New York City to drop dead? Which one is it?”
“President Trump, what’s going on? Cat got your tongue?” he continued. “You’re usually really talkative. You usually have an opinion on everything. How on earth do you not have an opinion on aid to American cities and states?”
Trump has yet to respond but we can surely expect an abusive tweet later.
Ivanka Trump mocked after urging bored Americans to make shadow puppets
The first daughter tweeted this over the weekend...
...and was promptly told: “You are an insufferable vapid pit of nepotism and inhumanity.”
Dave Maclean has plenty more where that came from.
Michael Cohen reportedly planning tell-all book on Trump as official to deny being 'Anonymous'
Publishing news!
The president's embittered former personal attorney, who testified so memorably before the House Oversight Committee last February and was least week sprung from jail to save him from the coronavirus spread, is plotting a damning memoir about his time as a Trump fixer, according to The Daily Beast.
A tantalising prospect - but more bad news for John Bolton's literary career.
Meanwhile, the president's former deputy national security adviser, Victoria Coates, has denied being "Anonymous", the mystery official who wrote a scathing editorial for The New York Times in 2018 and the book A Warning last year about the goings on within the Trump White House.
"After an exhaustive investigation, the White House believes it’s cracked the case, identifying Trump's turncoat as his former deputy national security adviser, Victoria Coates, according to people familiar with the internal probe," a Real Clear Investigations article read over the weekend. "Rather than fire Coates, the White House has quietly transferred her to the Department of Energy, where she awaits special assignment in Saudi Arabia - far from the president."
But Coates' lawyer has since refuted the claim in correspondence with Axios.
Publishing news!
The president's embittered former personal attorney, who testified so memorably before the House Oversight Committee last February and was least week sprung from jail to save him from the coronavirus spread, is plotting a damning memoir about his time as a Trump fixer, according to The Daily Beast.
A tantalising prospect - but more bad news for John Bolton's literary career.
Meanwhile, the president's former deputy national security adviser, Victoria Coates, has denied being "Anonymous", the mystery official who wrote a scathing editorial for The New York Times in 2018 and the book A Warning last year about the goings on within the Trump White House.
"After an exhaustive investigation, the White House believes it’s cracked the case, identifying Trump's turncoat as his former deputy national security adviser, Victoria Coates, according to people familiar with the internal probe," a Real Clear Investigations article read over the weekend. "Rather than fire Coates, the White House has quietly transferred her to the Department of Energy, where she awaits special assignment in Saudi Arabia - far from the president."
But Coates' lawyer has since refuted the claim in correspondence with Axios.
North Korea denies sending 'nice note' to Trump
Hilariously, Kim Jong-un is now denying he ever wrote a glowing letter of friendship to the president, after he again brought it up at yesterday's press session.
Rory Sullivan has Pyonyang's full response.
Trump says he will use Defense Production Act to increase manufacturing of testing swabs and waves Q-tip at reporters
Here's another line from yesterday's press conference lost amid the squabbling and showboating.
Here's another line from yesterday's press conference lost amid the squabbling and showboating.
Many governors have for weeks urged the White House to further invoke federal powers to increase private industry's production of medical supplies to help in their fight against the spread of the coronavirus.
While Trump has generally been reluctant to do so, he did indicate yesterday a willingness to up the ante in his guise as "wartime president".
While Trump has generally been reluctant to do so, he did indicate yesterday a willingness to up the ante in his guise as "wartime president".
That took the form of saying he would use the DPA to crank up the production of swabs and that he hoped he would soon be in a position to announce that 10m per month were being turned out.
To emphasise the point, Trump waved a swab in front of reporters. He also said that Mike Pence would hold a call with governors on Monday to discuss testing and send a list of lab facilities in their states.
Thousands of LA city workers must take 26 furlough days
That's the equivalent of a 10 per cent pay cut and must come over the course of the next fiscal year, as the nation's second-largest city deals with the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis.
That's the equivalent of a 10 per cent pay cut and must come over the course of the next fiscal year, as the nation's second-largest city deals with the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis.
Mayor Eric Garcetti made the announcement on Sunday in an emotional State of the City address as he warned of an economic blow far worse than the 2008 recession, when city leaders laid off hundreds of workers and eliminated thousands of jobs.
"Our city is under attack. Our daily life is unrecognisable," Garcetti said. "We are bowed, and we are worn down. We are grieving our dead," the mayor continued as he fought back tears. "But we are not broken, nor will we ever be."
The news provided a glimpse of what cities across California can expect as the state copes with the loss of 100,000 jobs last month because the coronavirus outbreak shuttered nonessential businesses. The figure barely begins to account for damage done to the world's fifth-largest economy.
Tax revenues will come in far short of projections because of a major decline in hotel reservations and airport passenger traffic, Garcetti said. The city has already tapped $70m (£56m) from its special funds and reserve fund to cover the costs of responding to the pandemic, he said.
Trump posts idiotic Joe Biden meme as deadly pandemic leaves tens of thousands fighting for their lives in hospital
Very hard to disagree with the assessment of UCL academic Brian Klaas here on the president's latest tweet:
Very hard to disagree with the assessment of UCL academic Brian Klaas here on the president's latest tweet:
The three brothers behind the online network of far-right gun owners calling for US anti-lockdown protests
Here's some more background on this weekend's dangerous demonstrations and their organisation.
Here's some more background on this weekend's dangerous demonstrations and their organisation.
Treasury cheques delayed by addition of Trump's name arrive
Was this really worth the hold-up?
Was this really worth the hold-up?
Health workers in scrubs and facemasks block anti-lockdown protesters in Colorado
This video is absolutely extraordinary.
Alex Woodward has the story behind it.
Trump sends message of support to wealthy Florida neighbours
Here's the president encouraging the citizens of an affluent retirement community in the Sunshine State and thanking them for their efforts on adhering to stay-at-home rules (presumably).
This in a state whose MAGA governor Ron DeSantis disastrously declined to shut down its beaches and Spring Break until far too late, hastening the spread of the coronavirus, and which deems professional wrestling an "essential service".
Any message for Queens, Mr President? You know, the borough you grew up?
He's otherwise been spending his time retweeting his social media minion's link to that Wall Street Journal op-ed he was so excited about yesterday.
Here's the president encouraging the citizens of an affluent retirement community in the Sunshine State and thanking them for their efforts on adhering to stay-at-home rules (presumably).
This in a state whose MAGA governor Ron DeSantis disastrously declined to shut down its beaches and Spring Break until far too late, hastening the spread of the coronavirus, and which deems professional wrestling an "essential service".
Any message for Queens, Mr President? You know, the borough you grew up?
He's otherwise been spending his time retweeting his social media minion's link to that Wall Street Journal op-ed he was so excited about yesterday.
Piers Morgan: 'Trump is failing the American people'
As dirty as it feels to say this, I agree with him here.
Gino Spocchia has his comments in full below.
As dirty as it feels to say this, I agree with him here.
Gino Spocchia has his comments in full below.
The US journalists expelled by Beijing after Trump’s latest dig at China
The State Department's announcement on 2 March that it would carry out a long-planned expulsion of about 60 employees of five Chinese state media outlets working in the United States paved the way for the Chinese Communist Party to retaliate in kind.
In doing so, China's expulsion of American journalists from The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times deprived of value outside scrutiny of Beijing's blunders in tackling a disease that would subsequently sweep the world.
The State Department's announcement on 2 March that it would carry out a long-planned expulsion of about 60 employees of five Chinese state media outlets working in the United States paved the way for the Chinese Communist Party to retaliate in kind.
In doing so, China's expulsion of American journalists from The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times deprived of value outside scrutiny of Beijing's blunders in tackling a disease that would subsequently sweep the world.
