(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump told journalist Bob Woodward that he knew before the first confirmed American death from Covid-19 that the virus was deadlier than the flu, yet he downplayed the danger in public to avoid creating panic, according to a taped conversation with Woodward that was obtained by CNN.
The tapes were made with the president’s permission, and the conversations were part of Woodward’s reporting for his book, Rage, which will be released next week.
During a Feb. 7 call, Trump explained to Woodward just how dangerous Covid-19 was, saying, “you just breathe the air and that’s how it’s passed... It’s also more deadly than even your strenuous flu.”
In public at the time, however, the president maintained that the virus was no worse than the flu and would soon disappear.
The president told Woodward that he intentionally understated the danger of Covid-19, saying on March 19, “I wanted to always play it down.” He added, “I still like playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Trump defended his response to the pandemic, saying, “you cannot show a sense of panic or you’re going to have bigger problems than you ever had before.” He added, “I love our country. And I don’t want people to be frightened.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe Biden pounced on the president’s comments, calling them “a life-and-death betrayal of the American people” and “beyond despicable.”
Write to Ben Walsh at ben.walsh@barrons.com
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September 10, 2020 at 07:05PM
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Tapes Show Trump Downplayed Danger of Covid-19 - Barron's
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