Late night hosts suggest Trump focus his coronavirus attacks on the outbreak, not his perceived enemies
With the COVID-19 coronavirus spreading through the U.S., hand sanitizer is selling out at some stores. Monday's Late Show had an alternative solution.
Coronavirus infections are popping up across the U.S., but "hardest hit so far is Washington state," where "thousands are now suspected to be infected and there have been multiple fatalities," Stephen Colbert said on The Late Show. "In the face of this virus, Trump is focusing on the most dangerous threat to America: the Democrats." Despite Trump's bloviating, he said, the coronavirus outbreak is "not a hoax, it's a crisis," and "Trump's more concerned with covering his a-- than protecting the American people."
Yes, "as concerns grow about the government's handling of the coronavirus outbreak, the president is calling criticism of his response 'a hoax,'" Seth Meyers said on Late Night. "At this very moment, health-care professionals are warning about the lack of widespread accurate testing," and instead of "monitoring developments with the coronavirus and coming up with a reassuring government response," Trump has been "attacking Democrats for supposedly politicizing the crisis" and slamming "the media simply for pointing out these very real problems, with Trump himself calling criticism of his response to the outbreak 'a hoax.'"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I think part of the problem here is that Trump only knows, like, five words, and 'hoax' is one of them," Meyers joked. Yet "somehow the president is not even the dumbest Donald Trump weigh in on this story," as Donald Trump Jr. made some "truly disgusting" accusations on Friday. "Someone is desperately trying to get their father to love them," he said, testing out a Don Jr. impression. "This is the kind of crisis management situation where you want competent, apolitical people in charge. Instead we have an administration that would rather spend its time raising money, meeting with the actors in a right-wing play, and cuddling with American flags."
"This situation is getting so serious that French people have been told not to kiss each other hello, which must be hard," Trevor Noah said at The Daily Show. "But the protocols make sense. Greeting people with physical contact is not a good idea right now, and black people are the only people who are really prepared for this." Senior Medical Correspondent Roy Wood Jr. tried to offer some practical advice. Watch below. Peter Weber
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'New arrivals are more than paying for themselves'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
6 stylish homes in Portland, Oregon
Feature Featuring a wall of windows in Collins View and a historic ballroom in Portland Heights
By The Week US Published
-
What's next for US interest rates?
The Explainer Stubborn inflation forestalls anticipated rate cuts
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published