President Donald Trump on Saturday at the White House expressed his disappointment that China was dishonest and slow to alert the world about the seriousness of the coronavirus.
“I have great respect for China, I like China, I think the people of China are incredible. I have a tremendous relationship with President Xi. I wish they could have told us earlier about what was going on inside,” Trump said.
The president said that his federal doctors could have used the extra time to prepare for the virus.
“China was secretive OK?” Trump said. “Very, very secretive, and that’s unfortunate.”
Trump said that a two or three month jump on the virus would have been helpful.
Incredible Video: Heroic Dad Fights Off Gang of Carjackers While Protecting Daughter, Shoots 1 Dead
Knicks Tricked Employees with Fake Championship Ring-Fitting Message, Forced Clickers Into Cybersecurity Courses
Democrats Screech About ICE Injuring a US Citizen – Then Video of the Start of the Conflict Emerges
WATCH: Mamdani Teaches Illegals How to Avoid Capture and Evade ICE in New Spanish-Language Video
Tyler Robinson hearing ends without trial date set, prompting fiery plea from Erika Kirk’s lawyer
Seven Christians Killed, Dozens More Wounded in ‘Heinous’ Attack on Church in Jordan
GOP Congressman Set to Initiate Expulsion Process for ‘Ilhan Omar’ Based on DOJ Findings
Ilhan Omar doubles down on ‘real name’ when confronted at Mall of Somalia
Ilhan Omar calls Trump ‘creep’ as president revives ‘fake name,’ marriage allegations
Meghan Markle’s Statement Triggers Internal Police Investigation Amid ‘Disturbing Allegations’ Against Her Father
Watch: Kamala Harris Turns Back the Clock to 2024, Confuses Crowd with Jumbled Motivational Quote That She Has to Repeat
‘Can’t trust Amy Acton’: Viral ad distracts from what’s really at stake in critical race, GOP strategist says
Federal judge kicked off ‘botch job’ anti-DEI case after stunning appeals court rebuke
Trump says judge is ‘desecrating’ Charlie Kirk’s memory amid fight over assassination trial date
Treasury traces SPLC to debanking of Christians after group dismissed it as conspiracy
“They were having a big problem and they knew it, and I wish they could have given us an advance warning,” Trump said.
The president was questioned about his message on Twitter in January praising President Xi Jinping and his transparency.
China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020
Trump said that he felt that China was transparent at the time, but pointedly told reporters they did not escape unscathed from the virus.
Incredible Video: Heroic Dad Fights Off Gang of Carjackers While Protecting Daughter, Shoots 1 Dead
Knicks Tricked Employees with Fake Championship Ring-Fitting Message, Forced Clickers Into Cybersecurity Courses
Democrats Screech About ICE Injuring a US Citizen – Then Video of the Start of the Conflict Emerges
WATCH: Mamdani Teaches Illegals How to Avoid Capture and Evade ICE in New Spanish-Language Video
Tyler Robinson hearing ends without trial date set, prompting fiery plea from Erika Kirk’s lawyer
Seven Christians Killed, Dozens More Wounded in ‘Heinous’ Attack on Church in Jordan
GOP Congressman Set to Initiate Expulsion Process for ‘Ilhan Omar’ Based on DOJ Findings
Ilhan Omar doubles down on ‘real name’ when confronted at Mall of Somalia
Ilhan Omar calls Trump ‘creep’ as president revives ‘fake name,’ marriage allegations
Meghan Markle’s Statement Triggers Internal Police Investigation Amid ‘Disturbing Allegations’ Against Her Father
Watch: Kamala Harris Turns Back the Clock to 2024, Confuses Crowd with Jumbled Motivational Quote That She Has to Repeat
‘Can’t trust Amy Acton’: Viral ad distracts from what’s really at stake in critical race, GOP strategist says
Federal judge kicked off ‘botch job’ anti-DEI case after stunning appeals court rebuke
Trump says judge is ‘desecrating’ Charlie Kirk’s memory amid fight over assassination trial date
Treasury traces SPLC to debanking of Christians after group dismissed it as conspiracy
“China has lost thousands and thousands of people,” Trump said. “China has gone through hell over this. They’ve gone through hell.”
Trump repeated that President Xi was “a friend” but wishes they would have been more vocal about the problem.
“I just wished they could have told us earlier,” Trump said.
Trump has sent a mixed message on China, frequently praising President Xi’s efforts to battle the coronavirus, but also describing it as the “Chinese virus” to remind the American public that it originated in China.
On February 13, Trump praised Xi as “extremely capable” for handling the crisis but admitted that “they want to put the best face on it.”
“You wouldn’t want to run out to the world and go crazy and start saying whatever it is, because you don’t want to create a panic,” he said during an interview with Geraldo Rivera.
The president told reporters on Saturday that he first took the coronavirus threat more seriously when he announced the travel bans on China on January 31.
Story cited here.
