Biden calls Trump's downplaying of coronavirus threat 'close to criminal'


Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden blasted President Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has left nearly 200,000 Americans dead.
Trump told author Bob Woodward in February and March that he knew the virus was deadlier than the flu but downplayed it "because I don't want to create a panic." During Thursday night's CNN Presidential Town Hall in Scranton, Biden said there is absolutely no scenario where the right choice is to mislead the American public about a deadly, highly contagious virus. "He knew it, and did nothing," Biden said. "It is close to criminal."
When asked how he would get people back to work amid the pandemic, Biden responded: "I would lay out the broad strokes of what has to be done to make people safe in the workplace and safe in school. And that requires us to have rapid testing, the protective gear available from the very beginning, like this president hasn't done. Making sure we provide for the ability for workplaces to have the wherewithal to provide for the safety. That requires some federal funding, particularly kids going back to school." He also said he would ensure that first responders have "a living wage" so they "don't have to live hand to mouth."
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.
Biden said he doesn't trust Trump when it comes to a coronavirus vaccine, as the president has politicized the issue by claiming one will be ready in time for Election Day, but he does believe in what Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says on the matter. "I trust Dr. Fauci," Biden said. "If Fauci says a vaccine is safe, I would take the vaccine. We should listen to the scientists, not to the president."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Russia slams Kyiv, hits government building
Speed Read This was Moscow's largest aerial assault since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to US
Speed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU offices
Speed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Speed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
Israeli double strike on Gaza hospital kills 20
Speed Read The dead include five journalists who worked for The Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peace
Speed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'