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.
Florida beach toll booth worker killed after driver rams structure before getting stuck in sand, sheriff says
Jared Kushner’s overseas luxury resort project faces anti-corruption investigation amid violent protests
Senate Democrats offer little support as Platner faces new sexting controversy: ‘Staying out of it’
Texas teens accused of using dating apps to lure young men into violent robberies that left one victim shot
Meet the Left’s Merchant of Hate
The Truth About Genocide in America: What North American Indians Were Doing to Each Other When Europeans Arrived
Trump administration names Rosario ‘Pete’ Vasquez to serve as next US Border Patrol chief
America Will Turn 250 in July as a Deeply Divided Country, But Our Spirit Remains Unbroken
Louisiana Passes Key Bill Letting Churches Protect Themselves from Leftist Protesters
The next frontier: Washington grapples with its latest space oddity
Soros-backed nonprofit accuses NJ Gov Sherrill of spreading ‘MAGA propaganda’ on ICE detainees
Taxpayer-funded ‘Meth Mansion’ under fire as crime concerns mount around homeless campus
Israeli soldier killed near Beaufort Castle, symbol of past occupation of Lebanon, as Trump demands ceasefire
Judge unseals DOJ fight with Fulton County over 2020 election worker information
Priceless Video: Living Wall of Riot Cops Opens, Pulls in Unsuspecting Anti-ICE Punk, Closes Like He Was Never There
“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.
Florida beach toll booth worker killed after driver rams structure before getting stuck in sand, sheriff says
Jared Kushner’s overseas luxury resort project faces anti-corruption investigation amid violent protests
Senate Democrats offer little support as Platner faces new sexting controversy: ‘Staying out of it’
Texas teens accused of using dating apps to lure young men into violent robberies that left one victim shot
Meet the Left’s Merchant of Hate
The Truth About Genocide in America: What North American Indians Were Doing to Each Other When Europeans Arrived
Trump administration names Rosario ‘Pete’ Vasquez to serve as next US Border Patrol chief
America Will Turn 250 in July as a Deeply Divided Country, But Our Spirit Remains Unbroken
Louisiana Passes Key Bill Letting Churches Protect Themselves from Leftist Protesters
The next frontier: Washington grapples with its latest space oddity
Soros-backed nonprofit accuses NJ Gov Sherrill of spreading ‘MAGA propaganda’ on ICE detainees
Taxpayer-funded ‘Meth Mansion’ under fire as crime concerns mount around homeless campus
Israeli soldier killed near Beaufort Castle, symbol of past occupation of Lebanon, as Trump demands ceasefire
Judge unseals DOJ fight with Fulton County over 2020 election worker information
Priceless Video: Living Wall of Riot Cops Opens, Pulls in Unsuspecting Anti-ICE Punk, Closes Like He Was Never There
“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.
