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.
Somali City Council Member Resigns Days After Being Sworn in Over Criminal Charges
Oregon city reverses vote, removes convicted murderer from police review board after backlash
Woke Christian Artist Releases Song Tying J6 to Woodstock
WATCH: Ellen Greenberg’s ex-fiancé dodges questions as feds reopen death case of teacher with 23 stab wounds
Latin Kings Gang Member Stole FBI Weapons During Left-Wing Anti-ICE Riot in Minneapolis
Philadelphia’s threat to prosecute ICE could trigger landmark court fight over authority, experts warn
White House torches Newsom as ‘inauthentic slimeball’ after California governor walks back ICE rhetoric
Family Member of Alleged Charlie Kirk Assassin’s Trans Lover Speaks Out
MAHA emerges as GOP 2026 election bright spot — with one major caveat
Shapiro’s White House trip to talk electricity prices could help him in 2026 and 2028
Virginia Democrats move to seize redistricting power, opening door to 4 new left-leaning seats
Crypto industry spent tens of millions influencing now-delayed cryptocurrency regulations
Federal judge restricts ICE agents amid ongoing Minneapolis area protests
IRS confirms Trump-ordered $1,776 ‘Warrior Dividend’ for 1.45M troops is tax-free
Michael Cohen says NY prosecutors ‘pressured and coerced’ him into anti-Trump testimony
“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.
Somali City Council Member Resigns Days After Being Sworn in Over Criminal Charges
Oregon city reverses vote, removes convicted murderer from police review board after backlash
Woke Christian Artist Releases Song Tying J6 to Woodstock
WATCH: Ellen Greenberg’s ex-fiancé dodges questions as feds reopen death case of teacher with 23 stab wounds
Latin Kings Gang Member Stole FBI Weapons During Left-Wing Anti-ICE Riot in Minneapolis
Philadelphia’s threat to prosecute ICE could trigger landmark court fight over authority, experts warn
White House torches Newsom as ‘inauthentic slimeball’ after California governor walks back ICE rhetoric
Family Member of Alleged Charlie Kirk Assassin’s Trans Lover Speaks Out
MAHA emerges as GOP 2026 election bright spot — with one major caveat
Shapiro’s White House trip to talk electricity prices could help him in 2026 and 2028
Virginia Democrats move to seize redistricting power, opening door to 4 new left-leaning seats
Crypto industry spent tens of millions influencing now-delayed cryptocurrency regulations
Federal judge restricts ICE agents amid ongoing Minneapolis area protests
IRS confirms Trump-ordered $1,776 ‘Warrior Dividend’ for 1.45M troops is tax-free
Michael Cohen says NY prosecutors ‘pressured and coerced’ him into anti-Trump testimony
“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.
