Trump now claims comments about treating COVID-19 with disinfectants were sarcastic

Trump says he didn't really want anyone to drink bleach.
(Image credit: iStock)

President Trump claimed Friday that he was only joking when he theorized about the medical benefits of injecting household disinfectants as a treatment for COVID-19. "I was asking it sarcastically to reporters just like you to see what would happen," he said.

Trump's comments, though, were not interpreted as a joke at the time, prompting companies like Lysol to urge consumers not to ingest their products. The state of Maryland even confirmed Friday that it had "received several calls regarding questions about disinfectant use" as it pertains to curing COVID-19.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.