White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany is expressing support of President Donald Trump delivering public health updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
During the White House press briefing on Tuesday, one reporter expressed concern about Trump’s reason for the resuming with briefings
She noted how he previously touted good ratings received when the briefings aired at the beginning of the pandemic as she raised questions about whether or not viewership contributed to his decision to resume.
The reporter also expressed concern about the president delivering health updates, without the presence of an infectious disease expert, based on previous remarks he has made.
From touting unproven drugs to suggesting disinfectant injections, the reporter noted how previous White House Coronavirus task force briefings caused multiple media firestorms
Despite past occurrences, McEnany dismissed concerns, as she explained why she believes the president is “the right person” to deliver public health updates to the American people.
See McEnany’s remarks below:
.@PressSec Kayleigh McEnany: "The president is the right person to give information to the American people…and boy does he get the information to a lot of the American people during his briefings as noted by the ratings as he himself pointed out." https://t.co/ELndIw7mOk pic.twitter.com/8R0K4z40AB
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 21, 2020
“Well, the president is the right person to give information to the American people,” McEnany said. “He was elected by the American people. He’s been a leader on this.”
She later reiterated, “He is the right person to give the information to the American people, and boy does he give information to a lot of the American people as noted by the ratings as he, himself, pointed out.”
McEnany’s remarks come amid mixed opinions about the return of coronavirus press briefings. The previous coronavirus briefings which were described as “propaganda-laden” and “off-the-rails,” led to daily fact checks and mounting criticism.
See some of the reactions below:
Tomorrow Trump starts doing daily virus propaganda briefings again. But don't worry, I'll watch him lie for an hour so you don't have to.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) July 20, 2020
Donald Trump getting ready for his daily coronavirus briefings. pic.twitter.com/C6t6S9XVh3
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) July 20, 2020
BREAKING: President Trump will bring back Chinese coronavirus briefings starting tomorrow 5pm
— AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) July 20, 2020
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) July 20, 2020
1️⃣ Trump seizes control of national COVID-19 data from the CDC.
2️⃣ Trump re-initiates regular coronavirus briefings.
That's it. That's the relevant sequence of events. It's clear as day what's happened.
Prior to McEnany appearing at the White House press briefing, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-N.Y.) took to Twitter with his concerns about the resumption of press briefings.
Deeming Trump a “threat to public health,” the high-ranking Democrat believes he should not “take the podium” during briefings.
Schumer tweeted, “When the coronavirus briefings resume, President Trump should not take the podium. Every time he takes the podium he’s a threat to public health.”
When the White House coronavirus briefings resume, President Trump should not take the podium.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 21, 2020
Every time he takes the podium he’s a threat to public health.
The president’s decision to resume coronavirus briefings come as the country approaches 4 million coronavirus cases. Nearly 40 states are also facing increases in cases, infection rates, or hospitalizations as the upcoming school year approaches.
