Trump angrily shuts down questions about coronavirus testing at press conference on coronavirus testing


President Trump may have forgotten why he called you all here today.
On Monday, Trump held a press conference specifically dedicated to coronavirus testing, telling gathered reporters the U.S. has "prevailed" over its testing shortages and saying anyone could get a test if they want one. But when those reporters noted that thousands of Americans still haven't been able to access tests, Trump angrily shut them down.
Trump spent Monday's conference repeatedly bragging about how the U.S. has conducted more COVID-19 tests than other countries. ABC News' Jordyn Phelps brought up how a lot of that testing seems to be happening within the White House, asking Trump if he thinks there's a "double standard where members of your own staff can get tested frequently, but ordinary Americans cannot." "We can't win," Trump responded, ranting about how the media would be criticizing him if he wasn't being tested and then telling Phelps "I understand you very well. Better than you understand yourself."
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.
Later, CBS News' Weijia Jiang asked Trump why he was making testing out to be a "global competition." "Maybe that's a question you should ask China," Trump said. And when Jiang, who is Asian American, asked why he told her "specifically" to do so, it soon led Trump to walk away from the lectern without answering anyone else. Kathryn Krawczyk
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
The Macrons v. Candace Owens: consequences for conspiracy theorists?
Talking Point French president and his wife are suing the right-wing influencer over bizarre claims Brigitte Macron was born a man
-
Sudoku medium: July 29, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Sudoku hard: July 29, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein