Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States, millions of people have been infected, and over 200,000 Americans have perished from the disease. New recordings from Bob Woodward’s interviews with Trump have surfaced, with the president reportedly saying that he did not have much time to meet with infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci for a COVID-19 briefing back in March.
In Woodward’s book, Rage, Woodward reportedly asked Trump if he met with Dr. Fauci to get briefed on the coronavirus back in March when the outbreak was beginning to grow. Trump reportedly responded, “Yes, I guess, but honestly there’s not a lot of time for that, Bob. This is a busy White House. We’ve got a lot of things happening. And then this came up.”
These newly released recordings follow the news of Trump, first lady Melania Trump, as well as many other close aides in the White House have contracted coronavirus last week. Trump was treated at Walter Reed Medical Hospital outside Washington over the weekend. Trump and his administration have widely been criticized for their handling of the pandemic as it raged through the US as well as their constant disregard for safety guidelines such as refusing to wear face masks in public, holding mass gatherings, and refusing to practice social distancing measures.
In the previous recordings by Woodward that have been released, Trump admitted to deliberately downplaying the pandemic as he did not want to cause panic. He has previously gone at odds with health experts on his task force, including the state governors during the coronavirus briefings at the White House.
Trump has now returned to the White House after being confined at Walter Reed to continue his treatment for COVID-19. Upon returning to the White House, Trump greeted supporters by appearing at the balcony. However, he removed his face mask upon stepping out and giving a thumbs up and salute. Trump ignored questions from the media, including one reporter who asked if he was a super spreader.
During his stay at Walter Reed, Trump has tweeted his assurance to his supporters that he is feeling better and that he will be back on the campaign trail soon.