Esteemed medical journal blasts Trump's coronavirus response in 'stunning' editorial

An esteemed medical journal has called out President Trump for his administration's response to the coronavirus crisis in a highly-critical editorial.
In an editorial published this week, The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, blasts the national response to the coronavirus pandemic as "inconsistent and incoherent" and criticizes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "has seen its role minimized and become an ineffective and nominal adviser" during the crisis.
"The Trump administration further chipped away at the CDC's capacity to combat infectious diseases," the editorial reads. "More recently, the Trump administration has questioned guidelines that the CDC has provided. These actions have undermined the CDC's leadership and its work during the COVID-19 pandemic."
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.
It also criticizes the administration for being "obsessed with magic bullets," including a "hope that the virus will simply disappear," alluding to a claim President Trump has made. The editorial ultimately concludes by suggesting Trump should not be re-elected.
"Americans must put a president in the White House come January, 2021, who will understand that public health should not be guided by partisan politics," the op-ed reads.
The New York Times' Maggie Haberman in a Friday appearance on CNN called the editorial "stunning," as "I don't think I have ever heard of such a thing from a medical journal."
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
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
What to do if your phone is stolen
The Explainer An average of 180 phones is stolen every day in London, the 'phone-snatching capital of Europe'
By Felicity Capon Published
-
Inventive toppings for Pancake Day
The Week Recommends Ditch the maple syrup for rhubarb, marshmallow or something savoury
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Is the body positivity era over?
Talking Point For some, a 'parade of skeletons' on the red carpet is a symptom of a return to an ultra-skinny ideal
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Judge tells White House to stop ordering mass firings
speed read The ruling is a complication in the Trump administration's plans to slash the federal workforce
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump vows 25% tariffs on EU at Cabinet meeting
Speed Read The tariff threats serve to enhance a growing suspicion that the president views Europe as an adversary, not an ally
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump proposes 'gold card' visas for rich immigrants
speed read The president claimed the US will begin selling $5 million visas offering permanent residency
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House passes framework for big tax and spending cuts
Speed Read Democrats opposed the GOP's plan for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending cuts, citing the impacts it will have on social programs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump sides with Russia on Ukraine war anniversary
Speed Read The president's embrace of the Kremlin is a reversal of American policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump purges Pentagon, puts MAGA pundit at FBI
speed read The president fired top military leaders and appointed podcaster Dan Bongino as deputy director of the FBI
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Musk's email to all federal workers prompts blowback
Speed Read Elon Musk ordered workers to summarize their accomplishments for the past week or be forced to resign
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Mitch McConnell won't seek reelection
Speed Read The longest-serving Senate party leader is retiring
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published