CNN’s Chris Cuomo is expressing disapproval of President Donald Trump’s remarks to explain his coronavirus response.
Following the White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing on Tuesday, Cuomo, who is in quarantine, appeared on his primetime show from his home.
During the segment, he played a clip from the briefing where Trump was again asked about his early attempts to downplay the virus. The reporter noted Trump’s initial comments when he said that the number of coronavirus cases would eventually be down to zero.
He responded saying that his remarks were more of an effort to decrease the possibility of “havoc and “shock.” The president also described himself as a “cheerleader” for the United States.
“Well, the cases really didn’t build up for a while. But you have to understand I’m a cheerleader for this country,” Trump said on Tuesday evening. “I don’t want to create havoc and shock. I’m not going to go out and start screaming, ‘This could happen, this could happen.'”
Disagreeing with Trump, Cuomo offered his take on leadership, arguing that it involves telling the truth even when the truth does not offer the most favorable outcome.
“That’s exactly what leadership is,” Cuomo said. “Anybody can tell people what they want to hear and make it easier. And then you know what you get? Exactly where we are, right now. That was the most asinine statement of leadership I have ever heard.”
Check out Cuomo’s remarks below:
Damn. Chris Cuomo is so mad at Trump, he just dropped a Bullshit-bomb on live TV (52-second mark) pic.twitter.com/K3Hp5bu5kw
— Cork Gaines, Ph.D. (@CorkGaines) April 8, 2020
Cuomo also criticized Trump’s “cheerleader” remark as he argued that the lack of preparation for the virus “reinforces the bulls***”:
“‘I’m a cheerleader. So, I’m going to lie to you about the realities that your parents, your loved ones, and your kids face. I’m not going to prepare the way I should because it reinforces the bulls*** I’m telling you and I’m hoping that you’re OK with it.’ We’ve got to do better than that.”
Cuomo’s remarks follow a string of reports about the White House’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak. While some have criticized the president’s leadership, others have applauded his efforts to combat the pandemic.
Despite the criticism the president has faced, he has made it clear that he is pleased with the work of the coronavirus task force’s response efforts.
