Two-thirds of Americans think Trump behaved irresponsibly after his coronavirus diagnosis


A large majority of Americans don't trust the White House or President Trump right now.
After Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis, 63 percent of Americans say he acted irresponsibly when handling his risk of infecting the people around him, a CNN poll released Monday found. What's more, 69 percent of Americans say they only believe some of what the White House is saying about Trump's health — or none of it at all.
Trump tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, and since then, several White House staffers, Republican senators, and other people who were around him tested positive as well. Trump also was criticized for leaving the hospital for a motorcade ride to wave to supporters, which likely put the Secret Service agents driving him at risk. Just a third of Americans said Trump behaved responsibly after his diagnosis, while a whopping 63 percent disagreed.
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.
Since then, Trump's team has been evasive when it comes to the president's health, refusing to share details of his lung scans and even his last negative COVID-19 test. Only 12 percent of respondents said they believe almost all of what they've heard from the White House, while 28 percent say they believe none of it at all. And while Trump's team has suggested catching coronavirus gave him some kind of special insight into fighting the disease, 63 percent of respondents said they think it's unlikely Trump's infection will change how he's handling the pandemic.
CNN and SSRS surveyed 1,205 respondents via landline and cell phone from Oct. 2–4, with a 3.3. percentage point margin of error.
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
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.
-
Nashville dining: Far more than barbecue and hot chicken
Feature A modern approach to fine-dining, a daily-changing menu, and more
-
Music Reviews: Coco Jones and Viagra Boys
Feature "Why Not More?" and "Viagr Aboys"
-
Visa wants to let AI make credit card purchases for you
The Explainer The program will allow you to set a budget and let AI learn from your shopping preferences
-
India strikes Pakistan as tensions mount in Kashmir
speed read Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called it an 'act of war'
-
Israel approves plan to take over Gaza indefinitely
speed read Benjamin Netanyahu says the country is 'on the eve of a forceful entry'
-
Putin talks nukes as Kyiv slated for US air defenses
speed read 'I hope they will not be required,' Putin said of nuclear weapons on Russian state TV
-
US, Ukraine sign joint minerals deal
speed read The Trump administration signed a deal with Ukraine giving the US access to its mineral wealth
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Israel launches air strike on Beirut suburbs
Speed Read The attack targeting Hezbollah was Israel's third on the Lebanese capital since November's ceasefire
-
Dozens dead in Kashmir as terrorists target tourists
Speed Read Visitors were taking pictures and riding ponies in a popular mountain town when assailants open fired, killing at least 26
-
Israel blames 'failures' for killing of medics
speed read 14 Gaza medics and 1 U.N. employee were killed by IDF special forces