Trump Crowd Cheers When POTUS Defends Their Failure to Social Distance as a ‘Peaceful Protest’
President Donald Trump’s crowd of supporters erupted in cheer when he described their apparent failure to follow coronavirus guidelines for indoor events as “peaceful protest.”
During a press conference in Bedminster, N.J., a reporter confronted the president about his handling of the coronavirus outbreak as he noted that “dozens of people” of people in the room were not apparently following social distancing guidelines.
“You said that the pandemic is disappearing, but we lost 6,000 Americans this week and just in this room you have dozens of people who are not following the guidelines in New Jersey,” a reporter said.
As the crowd erupted booing the reporter’s remarks, Trump quickly responded insisting the reporter was “wrong.” He also offered another description of the lack of apparent adherence to safety guidelines.
“You’re wrong on that because it’s a political activity,” Trump argued, adding, “And it’s also a peaceful protest. … To me, they all look like they pretty much all have masks on.”
He insisted the lack of social distancing was a peaceful protest for political purposes because his supporters knew the reporter was “coming up.”
Trump continued, “You have an exclusion in the law it says peaceful protest or political activity. … You can call it political activity, but I’d call it peaceful protest because they heard you were coming up and they know the news is fake.”
The president’s remarks drew applause from the crowd.
See Trump’s remarks below:
Trump’s paying Bedminster customers boo when a reporter points out that many of them aren’t wearing masks, violating New Jersey law. Trump defends them by describing them as “peaceful protesters” of the media, then ends the news conference to a round of applause. pic.twitter.com/5DVow55B1G
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 8, 2020
According to The Hill, the group of supporters was earlier seen not wearing masks or social distancing, but later photos showed them wearing masks.
USA Today’s Courtney Subramanian also tweeted about the situation:
After pool reporters tweeted that guests were not adhering to New Jersey COVID-19 regulations, club members were given masks to wear.
— Courtney Subramanian (@cmsub) August 7, 2020
Country club members awaiting the president pic.twitter.com/cm9FOvtoC9
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) August 7, 2020
For months, Trump was criticized for not publicly wearing a mask and some of his supporters have followed in his footsteps refusing to wear masks and disregarding social distancing guidelines.
It was not until coronavirus cases surged in states across the country that the president shifted his rhetoric on mask-wearing. During that press briefing on July 21, he admitted that things may “get worse before it gets better.”
Now, as the country’s reported number of coronavirus cases continues to rise so does the death toll. As of Saturday morning, there are nearly 5.1 million coronavirus cases and a death toll of 164,139 in the United States. There are also over 2.6 million reported recoveries from the virus.
91 percent of all the covid 19 deaths had one or more serious underlying conditions. Chances are they would have died if they even caught the flu. Nursing homes account for over 40 percent of all deaths. We all know they have a history of substandard care.
“How else to break the uniparty rule?” Fred
Do you mean the donor’s party of corruption?
Simple. End the corruption. (I didn’t say that it would be easy.)
Fred – the president also outright supported police brutality by suggesting officers should rough up those they are arresting. He has assumed guilt and called for the death penalty for people of color falsely accused in the past and even when faced with their innoncence he refuses to admit he was wrong. He has refused to meet with peaceful protestors. George Floyd? Could you be any more tunnel visioned? He was one domino in a short period of time. You’re not listening.
He isn’t the leader we need to resolve this. Like Obama, he is a wrecking ball. He was elected to be a wrecking ball. So are we done with demolition yet or are we going to salt the ground while we are at it?
Hugh – Tim Scott didn’t address qualified immunity. He didn’t try to put in any actual accountability. He did not want to listen, didn’t offer any actual change, so he didn’t get support.
You were able to go to court and prove the police officer lied. What if you didn’t have resources to get a lawyer? What if you didn’t have proof even though you WERE innocent? What if people generally assumed guilt because of your skin color?
I agree that there are a lot of white violent rioters who are taking advantage of a serious issue to cause problems. If you know this then why are you unable to separate out the peaceful protestors who are just trying to enact some change throughout their community? Police are over worked. They have said so. I like some of the proposals for sending more specified help for 911 calls that takes some of the burden off police officers. It’s an interesting idea that i hope the violent protestors don’t ruin before it can be fully realized.
Black on black crime is an issue. But its not the issue BLM is working to resolve. You wouldn’t respond to an activist in MADD and say their cause is ridiculous because cancer kills way more people. Black people have said there’s a problem. I’m not black. There’s enough video evidence available for me to stop and listen. Furthermore, police are safer when those they are serving trust them. If a police officer is bad – they deserve to be held accountable by law with no loopholes. Full stop.
Damn, ijr is starting to sound like the liberals
Fred, Well said. You are right on with every point!!!
👍🇺🇸
Phoenix, Obviously I don’t believe in police brutality either. Believe it or not, I’ve also had difficulties with the good old boy network code that too many police officers follow…as in my standing up against false allegations made by an officer and other officers defending her. That was fine until court, when my attorney and I proved the officer lied under oath along with her “witness”. I came out exonerated but also much poorer after spending many thousands of dollars for my defense.
However, police brutality is the least of the black community’s worries. Black on black crime FAR exceeds any brutality by police but the media and protesters refuse to mention that. In fact, if you look at who the violent protesters are, they are mostly white 20 something losers lashing out at the unfairness of the world and are “Confused” in “General”.
The fact that the Democrats and media have so blatantly lied about who these protesters are is inexcusable. If you don’t see that, take another look.
Tim Scott made a concerted effort to submit a bill for police reform that would make police accountable but not ineffective. President Trump endorsed that bill but Democrats rejected it. There’s no meeting in the middle with this House so nothing will be accomplished. Their gambit is the public’s anger will be directed at Trump and they’ll escape unscathed. The media facilities this. It’s reprehensible and inexcusable.
Reply to: Phoenix
August 8, 2020
If you only watch or read MSM sources, you are missing a lot. Trump has been supportive of peaceful protesters, supportive of law enforcement, supportive of justice for Floyd. As most Americans are. It gets lost in the noise and spin however.
Here is his quote:
“We have peaceful protesters and support the rights for peaceful protesters — we can’t allow a situation like happened in Minneapolis to descend further into lawlessness, anarchy and chaos,” Trump said. The president said he had spoken with Floyd’s family before the news event.
Trump also said he understood the hurt and pain of people who have “been through a lot.”
“The family of George is entitled to justice and the people of Minnesota are entitled to live in safety,” he said. “Law and order will prevail.”
Trump is neither as good as the right claims he is, nor as bad as the left alleges. His super power is disrupting the system. For that, he might not be the president we wanted, but surely he was the one we needed. How else to break the uniparty rule?
When we are divided, they can tell us what to do. When we are united, we tell them what to do.
“i almost always read when offered with the exception of General’s 20 minute videos on progressive stuff” Phoenix
That’s unfortunate. You would learn things from them, that’s why I link them. I will try to link shorter ones, but just remember, I don’t make them.
Hugh, I have seen both the recent videos. I checked your articles (which i almost always read when offered with the exception of General’s 20 minute videos on progressive stuff – so in that respect i guess you’re right). Your article was consistent with the article posted on the blaze – which i also read frequently in addition to IJR articles even though the bias does not fit my political leaning.
I don’t agree with the riots. I don’t agree with yelling at old women. I also don’t agree with laws protecting police who break with policy to brutalize those they are being paid to serve.
The president has refused to even acknowledge those peacefully protesting against police brutality – of which there are many. Which is why I’m shocked he didn’t have this crowd of peaceful protestors tear gassed for their protest in such close vicinity to the president. I guess it pays to be a Trump donor.
Of course the death toll will continue to rise as long as the disease exists. People don’t generally get un-dead.
However, the statistics given don’t match. If there are nearly 5.1 million cases but 164,139 deaths and over 2.6 million recoveries, that would leave about 3.4 million people still living with the disease. If that were the case, the strain on hospitals would be much worse and the media would be blasting that fact all over the air waves and the internet.
But let’s suppose the article’s statistics are correct:
164,139 deaths and 2.6 million recoveries means those who get the disease have a 94% chance of recovery.
Or:
164,139 deaths and 5.1 million cases means those who get the disease have a 3.2% chance of dying.
And with 330 million people in the U.S.:
5.1 million cases means only 1.5% of the population has had the disease and
164,139 deaths means only 0.05% of the population has died from the disease.
Literally, heart disease and cancer are far worse. According to the CDC:
Deaths in the U.S. from heart disease: about 647,000 per year
Deaths in 2018 in the U.S. from cancer: 599,274
BUT NEITHER HEART DISEASE NOR CANCER HAVE BEEN DECLARED A PANDEMIC! Nor have any laws, regulations, or restrictions been made to keep people from getting those diseases.
All deaths are bad! But we need to keep this disease in perspective.
Sounds to me like Penis is just a frustrated troll.
Apparently, Peonis has no problem with protesters brutalizing an elderly woman who was attempting to extinguish a fire that they set to an occupied building!
If my previous attempts to post pass “moderation” you can read more at the links I provided.
If IJR won’t fix their existing software issues, the chances they will review my previous post are slim to none…..
Hugh Wayne Black
August 8, 2020
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Poenis: “Apparently, Tump feels people are justified in protesting face mask, but not justified in protesting police brutality.“
Apparently, Peonis is ok with protesters against “police brutality”, brutalizing an elderly woman attempting to extinguish the fire the “peaceful protesters started:
thepostmillennial. (dot) com (slash) portland-polices-east-precinct-sees-elderly-citizen-doused-in-paint-building-set-ablaze-with-people-inside
Peonis: your one sided stupidity is beyond amazing!!! Wake the Phuk up, Phuk up!!!
I don’t have time or patience for the “IJR moderators“ to verify my link. Peonis won’t link to it anyway. It doesn’t suit “its” narrative!
His “problem” is not with protesting police brutality, which thankfully rarely happens.
His concern is with rioters, looters, and destruction of property.
Apparently, you never read the 1st Amendment.
… or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Hypocritically, the “reporters” seem to have no problem with rioters, looters who totally disregard the rules.
I guess it’s only wrong if you’re Republican
Appparently, Tump feels people are justified in protesting face mask, but not justified in protesting police brutality.
Funny how the press is screaming about this gathering because BOM.
Teachers, rioters, politicians, etc. gathering in large, not socially-distanced masses? Crickets chirp.
Trump has just delivered another lesson in Master Troll class. The press, and it’s idiot believers, will be obsessing about this one for days.
Alinsky rule #4: “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.”
…or in the old. white, patriarchal way: make them eat their words.
“You have an exclusion in the law it says peaceful protest or political activity. … You can call it political activity, but I’d call it peaceful protest because they heard you were coming up and they know the news is fake.” King Donald The Loser
Idiots. Like toddlers, they need to be told what to do. They can’t think for themselves.
The Trump Virus does not have a brain and does not care whether you are in Cult-45 or not. Their grandchildren and any elderly parents are now at risk, too.
Poor ole confuction, he is so confused. Fact: 1) the virus came from china, President Trump had no part in it but has done one hell of a lot to contain it, 2) we on the right have a lot of capacity for thinking and resolving issues, 3) the left is brainless, clueless and without any truth to their claims, 4) the left believes in fake news and lies to push their agenda, 5) we do not need even one communist/fascist/democRAT in America, 6) your comeuppance is at hand and we will be the ones to deal it out.