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Remarks by Trump, Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing, 03-31-20
PRESS BRIEFINGS
Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing
HEALTHCARE
Issued on: April 1, 2020
March 31, 2020
5:30 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everyone. Our country is in the midst of a great national trial, unlike any we have ever faced before. You all see it. You see it probably better than most.
Were at war with a deadly virus. Success in this fight will require the full, absolute measure of our collective strength, love, and devotion. Very important.
{snip}
Earlier today, I spoke with leading Internet and phone providers who are doing a tremendous job of keeping our Internet and lines of communication flowing under very strongly increased strain. The business is more than anybody has seen before, because everyone is inside. Theyre all making calls.
Among the leaders I spoke to were Hans Vestberg of Verizon Communications, Randall Stephenson of AT&T, Mike Sievert of T-Mobile, Thomas Rutledge of Charter Communications, Brian Roberts of Comcast, John Malone of Liberty Media, Dexter Goei of Altice, Michel Combes of Sprint, and Aryeh Bourkoff of LionTree. Also, Pat Esser of Cox Communications and Jeffrey Storey of CenturyLink. Theyre doing an incredible job.
If you look at other continents if you look at Europe, they went a different route than we did, and much different route. We were talking about that just a little while ago. And theyre having tremendous problems. Other countries are having problems. Other continents are having problems.
But with business at a level that nobody has seen it before on the Internet, its holding up incredibly well, and they expect that to continue no matter what happened and no matter how much more it gains, which, if it can gain more than it already is, I dont know, because theyre setting records.
{snip}
But with business at a level that nobody has seen it before on the Internet, its holding up incredibly well, and they expect that to continue no matter what happened and no matter how much more it gains, which, if it can gain more than it already is, I dont know, because theyre setting records.
{snip}
And I spoke to some of my friends; they cant believe what theyre seeing. And I watched the doctors and the nurses walking into that hospital this morning. Its like military people going into battle, going into war. The bravery is incredible. And I just have to take my hat I would take my hat if I were wearing a hat, Id rip that hat off so fast and I would say you people are just incredible. They really are. Theyre very brave. Theyre going in and they dont know you have you have lots of things flying around in the air. You dont know what youre touching. Is it safe?
{snip}
THE PRESIDENT: Mike, please.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mr. President.
{snip}
Lastly, as the President highlighted yesterday, businesses around America are stepping up as never before. Tomorrow, Ill travel with Secretary Sonny Perdue to Gordonsville, Virginia, to the Walmart distribution center, just so the American people can see firsthand how the food supply is continuing to roll on 18 wheels and through air freight all over America.
{snip}
Q Just to be clear, what is the projected death toll, should the people be reasonably good at following these mitigation measures?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, if theyre reasonably good, I guess we could say that Id like to have maybe Dr. Fauci or Deb come up and say. I mean, I have numbers but Id rather have them say the numbers, if you dont mind. Its a big its a big question.
{snip}
Q Mr. President
Q Mr. President
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, John.
Q If I could maybe direct a question to you and then to Dr. Fauci as well. We you told us yesterday that youre accomplishing or the U.S., at least, is accomplishing 100,000 tests per day. But were still hearing difficult stories from the frontlines of first responders, who you praised so appropriately a little while ago, that they cant test all of the people that they need to test. Do you have any kind of projection as to when everyone who needs a test will be able to receive one?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I can only say that were doing more than anybody in the world, by far. We are testing it highly accurate tests. These are tests that work. As you know, many tests are being sent to countries, and theyre broken.
{snip}
THE PRESIDENT: Were watching whatever happens around the world. Were watching those trials very closely. Yeah.
Q Mitch McConnell had a line today. He was on
THE PRESIDENT: Mitch?
Q Mitch McConnell. Yeah. He said that impeachment diverted the attention of the government. Do you think that, in any way? This was happening and building at the same time. Did it divert your attention or your teams attention or the Vice Presidents attention?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I dont like to think I did. I think I handled it very well, but I guess it probably did. I mean, I got impeached. I think, you know, I certainly devoted a little time to thinking about it, right?
Q (Inaudible) the pandemic?
THE PRESIDENT: So, but think of it: It was a hoax. It was a total hoax. And when you think that I got impeached only because they had a majority in the House. They didnt get one they didnt get one Republican vote 196 to nothing. Not one Republican. Its nev- I dont think its ever happened. The Republicans stuck together and they stuck together in the Senate 52 to a half. A half.
So, you know, when you say that yeah, I think it took a lot of I see them going and saying about speed. Well, they probably illegally impeached me in the sense that, if you look at the FBI today with what happened, the horrible things nobody cares about that now because all theyre thinking about is the virus, and thats okay with me.
But you look at the report that came out from IG Horowitz; its disgraceful what went on. Its disgraceful. Its a total disgrace. They got caught in the act. But you know what? We wont talk about that now. Did it divert my attention? I think Im getting A-pluses for the way I handled myself during a phony impeachment. Okay? It was a hoax.
But certainly, I guess, I thought of it. And I think I probably acted I dont think I would have done any better had I not been impeached. Okay? And I think thats a great tribute to something; maybe its a tribute to me. But I dont think I would have acted any differently or I dont think I would have acted any faster.
But the Democrats, their whole their whole life, their whole being, their whole existence was to try and get me out of office any way they can, even if it was a phony deal. And it was a phony deal. And it turned out and all you have to do is look today at the FBI reports. Take a look at what the FBI did. Take a look at the people. Take a look at Comeys report 78 pages of total kill. Take a look at that. Take a look at the report on McCabe. Just read it and youll see how horrible it was. And you know what? I dont think this country is going to take it, if you want to know the truth.
Q Was there some call you would have had time to make? Is there how did it take you out of the game?
Q What guidance are you offering to Florida when it comes to the two Holland America cruise ships that are seeking to dock here? Many are sick and
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. Well, Ill be speaking Im going to be spea- in fact, he has a call in to me and well be speaking to well be speaking to the governor and well be speaking to him soon.
But theres a case we have two ships. There are people that are sick on the ship. And we dont want to be like, theyre going to be ghost ships. You know, people turn those ships away.
There was a ship, as you know, in a certain part of Asia, and, from port to port, nobody would take it. But in the meantime, you have people that are dying on the ship or at least very sick, but theyre dying on the ship.
Q So what is
THE PRESIDENT: So, Im going to Im going to you know, Im going to do whats right, not only for us, but for humanity. I mean, these are two big ships and they have a lot of very sick people. And Ill be speaking to Ill be speaking to the governor.
Lets do just a couple of more back here. Yeah, go ahead please. Well get well get go ahead please.
Q Thank you very much. I was hoping you could
THE PRESIDENT: Do you ever run out of questions, you people? Its the most unbelievable thing. You go through the room
Q So
THE PRESIDENT: But I have nothing else to do. So if you want us I mean, if you want. Should we keep it going, John? I think so. Lets goTHE PRESIDENT: Were watching whatever happens around the world. Were watching those trials very closely. Yeah.
Q Mitch McConnell had a line today. He was on
THE PRESIDENT: Mitch?
Q Mitch McConnell. Yeah. He said that impeachment diverted the attention of the government. Do you think that, in any way? This was happening and building at the same time. Did it divert your attention or your teams attention or the Vice Presidents attention?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I dont like to think I did. I think I handled it very well, but I guess it probably did. I mean, I got impeached. I think, you know, I certainly devoted a little time to thinking about it, right?
Q (Inaudible) the pandemic?
THE PRESIDENT: So, but think of it: It was a hoax. It was a total hoax. And when you think that I got impeached only because they had a majority in the House. They didnt get one they didnt get one Republican vote 196 to nothing. Not one Republican. Its nev- I dont think its ever happened. The Republicans stuck together and they stuck together in the Senate 52 to a half. A half.
So, you know, when you say that yeah, I think it took a lot of I see them going and saying about speed. Well, they probably illegally impeached me in the sense that, if you look at the FBI today with what happened, the horrible things nobody cares about that now because all theyre thinking about is the virus, and thats okay with me.
But you look at the report that came out from IG Horowitz; its disgraceful what went on. Its disgraceful. Its a total disgrace. They got caught in the act. But you know what? We wont talk about that now. Did it divert my attention? I think Im getting A-pluses for the way I handled myself during a phony impeachment. Okay? It was a hoax.
But certainly, I guess, I thought of it. And I think I probably acted I dont think I would have done any better had I not been impeached. Okay? And I think thats a great tribute to something; maybe its a tribute to me. But I dont think I would have acted any differently or I dont think I would have acted any faster.
But the Democrats, their whole their whole life, their whole being, their whole existence was to try and get me out of office any way they can, even if it was a phony deal. And it was a phony deal. And it turned out and all you have to do is look today at the FBI reports. Take a look at what the FBI did. Take a look at the people. Take a look at Comeys report 78 pages of total kill. Take a look at that. Take a look at the report on McCabe. Just read it and youll see how horrible it was. And you know what? I dont think this country is going to take it, if you want to know the truth.
Q Was there some call you would have had time to make? Is there how did it take you out of the game?
Q What guidance are you offering to Florida when it comes to the two Holland America cruise ships that are seeking to dock here? Many are sick and
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. Well, Ill be speaking Im going to be spea- in fact, he has a call in to me and well be speaking to well be speaking to the governor and well be speaking to him soon.
But theres a case we have two ships. There are people that are sick on the ship. And we dont want to be like, theyre going to be ghost ships. You know, people turn those ships away.
There was a ship, as you know, in a certain part of Asia, and, from port to port, nobody would take it. But in the meantime, you have people that are dying on the ship or at least very sick, but theyre dying on the ship.
Q So what is
THE PRESIDENT: So, Im going to Im going to you know, Im going to do whats right, not only for us, but for humanity. I mean, these are two big ships and they have a lot of very sick people. And Ill be speaking to Ill be speaking to the governor.
Lets do just a couple of more back here. Yeah, go ahead please. Well get well get go ahead please.
Q Thank you very much. I was hoping you could
THE PRESIDENT: Do you ever run out of questions, you people? Its the most unbelievable thing. You go through the room
Q So
THE PRESIDENT: But I have nothing else to do. So if you want us I mean, if you want. Should we keep it going, John? I think so. Lets go.
Q Would you clarify something for me, please? Andrew Cuomo, today, said that the system that you have, where governors are trying to get ventilators, its like being on eBay with 50 other states bidding on a ventilator, plus FEMA. And then you just said tonight, They shouldnt be doing that.
THE PRESIDENT: You mean he was he was complaining?
Q Well, he said
THE PRESIDENT: Say it. Say it. What did he say exactly? What did say? Go ahead.
Q He said that when you have states competing for ventilators and medical care, its like being on eBay with 50 other states bidding on a ventilator, plus FEMA.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, he shouldnt be complaining because we gave him a lot of ventilators. And if you take a look at the chart its down but I wish he got going a little bit sooner.
But we gave him a lot of ventilators. And you know what? He has a lot of ventilators. The problem is: With some people, no matter what you give, its never enough. Its never enough. Like, theyll say, Hows Trump doing? And youre a Democrat. Some of them said, Really good. Ill tell you, Gavin Newsom, from California who is doing a good job, by the way and others said, Really good.
But, you know, generally, your natural reflex Hows Trump doing? You ask that question to a Democrat. Uh, well, uh, we dont like it. Oh, really? You dont like it? Were getting very high marks. But Im not doing this for marks; Im doing this to save lives.
When John acted
(Cross-talk.)
Wait. When John saw the numbers and when Jim saw those numbers, theyre shocking numbers. You know, youre talking about deaths. Even at the low end, you were shocked when you see 100- and 120,000 and 200,000 people over, potentially, a very short period of time.
I want to save lives. Im not doing this for any other reason. I want to save lives.
{snip}
Jim.
Q Back to your comments about what could have happened and and the actions that you took. Is there any fairness to the criticism that you may have lulled Americans into a false sense of security
THE PRESIDENT: No.
Q when you were saying things like, Its going to go away
THE PRESIDENT: Well, it is.
Q and that sort of thing. But
THE PRESIDENT: Jim, its going away.
Q But when you were saying it was going to go away
THE PRESIDENT: Its going to go away, hopefully at the end of the month. And, if not, hopefully it will be soon after that.
Q But hasnt your thinking on this evolved?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, it is going Jim, it is going away.
Q Hasnt your thinking on this evolved? Youre taking this more seriously now.
THE PRESIDENT: I think, from the beginning, my attitude was that we have to give this country I know how bad it was. All you have to do is look at what was going on in China. It was devastation. And all you have look at the numbers from China, those initial numbers coming out from China.
But, you know, I read an article today, which was very interesting. They say, We wish President Trump would give more bad news. Give bad news. Im not about bad news. I want to give people hope. I want to give people a feeling that we all have a chance. I mean
Q But my
THE PRESIDENT: when when you saw when you saw the numbers and when John and all of you saw those numbers and youre saying, 120,000 people? You mean, thats good? A hundred thousand dead people within a short period of time. I want to give people a feeling of hope. I could be very negative. I could say, Wait a minute, those numbers are terrible. This is going to be horrible. This is a horrible thing.
Q Is it possible that people heard what you were saying
THE PRESIDENT: Hey, Jim, this
Q last month and said, Okay, lets go to the beach, lets go to the airport, lets go down to Mardi Gras
THE PRESIDENT: Well, there were a lot of people
Q Lets go do those things.
THE PRESIDENT: There were a lot of people that could have said that. We didnt say that. Fortunately, I didnt say that. And that was an alternative. We talked about it. That was always an alternative. Thats what I said. Let it rip, let it ride. Do nothing. And we could have had 2.2 million dead people, more than that, because I didnt do that.
And we did catch it early. And we stopped China really early, and we stopped Europe really early, because I saw what was happening. What what happened is I stopped Italy, because Italy was really heavily infected. We started off with certain parts of Italy, then all of Italy, then we saw Spain. Then I said, Stop Europe. Lets stop Europe. We have to stop them from coming here. Europe. I love Europe, but they were having problems.
I dont think anybody did a better job than that, especially when you see the 2.2, million number. And I hope were going to be substantially under the numbers that youre looking at on the minimum side. Then I think we will have hey, look, its still tremendous death.
Q You werent just hoping that it would dissipate, that this would disappear.
THE PRESIDENT: I want to be positive. I dont want to be negative. I have to Im a positive person. Somebody said, Oh, I wish hed be more negative. They literally have that; its in one of the wonderful newspapers today. I wish hed be more negative. Well, this is really easy to be negative about. But I want to give people hope too. You know, Im a cheerleader for the country. Were going through the worst thing that the country has probably ever seen.
Look, we had the Civil War, we lost 600,000 people, right? Heres the thing: Had we not done anything, we would have lost many times that. But we did something, and so its going to be, hopefully, way under that. But, you know, we lose more here potentially then you lose in World Wars as a country. So theres nothing positive, theres nothing great about it, but I want to give people in this country hope. I think its very important.
Q So you knew it was going to be this severe when you were saying, This is under control and
THE PRESIDENT: I thought it could be. I knew everything. I knew it could be horrible and I knew it could be maybe good. Dont forget, at that time, people didnt know that much about it, even the experts. We were talking about it. We didnt know where it was going. We saw China, but that was it. Maybe it would have stopped at China. We wish we could have killed it in China, but it didnt happen. It started spreading to Europe. It started spreading here. It started spreading all over.
But and Im not blaming anybody. Im just saying that we have an incredible thing. I think the people our professionals, our military, our governors, our politicians I think theyve done an incredible job. I mean, with few exceptions, I think theyve done an incredible job. But I dont want to be a negative person. Itd be so much easier for me to come up and say, We have bad news. Were going to lose 220,000 people and its going to happen over the next few weeks.
And with that, I did start off by saying today, long before this question, I said, This is going to be a rough two or three weeks. This is going to be one of the roughest two or three weeks weve ever had in our country. Were going to lose thousands of people.
When I see 28, 29 people from the governor of New Jersey 29 people. When you see 173 people died in New York yesterday or whatever the number was; I think it was more than that. When you see the kind of numbers that were witnessing, weve never seen numbers like that. So, its easy to be negative. And then everybody can be negative, but Im a cheerleader for our country and I want it to do a great job so the number can be kept and Ive always said it: I want as few a number of people to die as possible. And thats all were working on.
Q I know you dont you dont like the question, but are you now taking responsibility
THE PRESIDENT: I dont mind the question.
Q Do you do you mi-
THE PRESIDENT: I dont mind the question. I think its actually
Q Are you now taking responsibility for how things go from this point forward?
THE PRESIDENT: I think its not meant to be. Look, I know you well enough, so its not meant to be a fair question, but it is a fair question. I think weve done a fantastic job.
Q Actually, its meant to be a fair question. I
THE PRESIDENT: Okay, fine, Ill Ill accept your word. Look, Jim, I think weve done a great job. Were going to see how it comes out. But when you look at minimal numbers of 120,000 people, when you look at it could have been 2.2 million people died and more if we did nothing if we just did nothing, it wouldve gone up and it wouldve come down. As per your statement, it would have been confined. It would have been a similar time, maybe even less time. It would have been violence like weve never seen in this country before.
We had great professionals, great military, really great governors and politicians. I cannot say enough about whats going on. And as per what you said, I think were way ahead of schedule, in terms of numbers. I think. I hope. But if we can keep it under the minimum numbers, the country is doing not me the country has done a great job. But I think Ive done a really good job of mobilizing. I think Mike Pence has been fantastic. I put him in charge of the task force. We have wonderful people on the task force, Jim. Wonderful people.
Theyre this man was working, literally he had days where he didnt go to bed. He didnt go to sleep. He called he went 24 hours and then started the next day. People dont know the job he did. I didnt even know he was that good of a manager, to be honest with you Mike, okay? And, you know, you never know that about somebody until theyre tested under fire. But he saw it very early also. We both did.
They saw it very early. They knew pretty soon they probably knew sooner than anybody because thats what they study, thats what they do. Must be a depressing business, right? Must be a little bit depressing, but theyve theyve seen it all.
Go ahead, John.
{snip}
Q One more. I have one more, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: All right, go ahead. How about over here?
Q I got a follow-up on the masks, sir. But, first, you had mentioned Franklin Graham earlier
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q talking to him. As you know, his father, Billy Graham, was a trusted spiritual advisor and friend to many presidents. A lot of your predecessors, in times of national emergency, reached out to pastors and other spiritual counselors. Have you done that during this national emergency?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I never say that, but Franklin Graham is somebody thats very special. I have many very special people. And very many special in the evangelical evangelical Christian community. You can talk rabbis, you can talk a lot of you know, I have tremendous support from religious leaders. And Franklin Graham, I just spoke to him today for an extended period of time. I told him what a fantastic job youre doing. And he does this; he loves doing it. He loves helping people. And he loves Jesus that, I can tell you. He loves Jesus. Hes a great gentleman.
Go ahead.
{snip}
THE PRESIDENT: Please, go ahead.
Q So, under some of the worst-case scenarios, there is a real scarcity problem if youve given out, say, 7,000 ventilators and we got 10,000 around. So Im just curious, who is who signs off on those life and death decisions before GM and Ford ramp up?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I would say
Q Whos going to sign off on that?
THE PRESIDENT: Mike Pence, myself, the head of FEMA, some of our generals that are working, that are doing an unbelievable you know, we have generals that are working that are unbelievable talents, unbelievable leaders. And itll go through one of three or four people, if it comes down to that. And I hope it doesnt come down to that because I think were very well equipped.
And its an honor to be here tonight. I appreciate it. I appreciate your interest. I think there is a great interest in it. And well see you tomorrow. Well see you tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you very much.
END
7:41 P.M. EDT
Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing
HEALTHCARE
Issued on: April 1, 2020
March 31, 2020
5:30 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, everyone. Our country is in the midst of a great national trial, unlike any we have ever faced before. You all see it. You see it probably better than most.
Were at war with a deadly virus. Success in this fight will require the full, absolute measure of our collective strength, love, and devotion. Very important.
{snip}
Earlier today, I spoke with leading Internet and phone providers who are doing a tremendous job of keeping our Internet and lines of communication flowing under very strongly increased strain. The business is more than anybody has seen before, because everyone is inside. Theyre all making calls.
Among the leaders I spoke to were Hans Vestberg of Verizon Communications, Randall Stephenson of AT&T, Mike Sievert of T-Mobile, Thomas Rutledge of Charter Communications, Brian Roberts of Comcast, John Malone of Liberty Media, Dexter Goei of Altice, Michel Combes of Sprint, and Aryeh Bourkoff of LionTree. Also, Pat Esser of Cox Communications and Jeffrey Storey of CenturyLink. Theyre doing an incredible job.
If you look at other continents if you look at Europe, they went a different route than we did, and much different route. We were talking about that just a little while ago. And theyre having tremendous problems. Other countries are having problems. Other continents are having problems.
But with business at a level that nobody has seen it before on the Internet, its holding up incredibly well, and they expect that to continue no matter what happened and no matter how much more it gains, which, if it can gain more than it already is, I dont know, because theyre setting records.
{snip}
But with business at a level that nobody has seen it before on the Internet, its holding up incredibly well, and they expect that to continue no matter what happened and no matter how much more it gains, which, if it can gain more than it already is, I dont know, because theyre setting records.
{snip}
And I spoke to some of my friends; they cant believe what theyre seeing. And I watched the doctors and the nurses walking into that hospital this morning. Its like military people going into battle, going into war. The bravery is incredible. And I just have to take my hat I would take my hat if I were wearing a hat, Id rip that hat off so fast and I would say you people are just incredible. They really are. Theyre very brave. Theyre going in and they dont know you have you have lots of things flying around in the air. You dont know what youre touching. Is it safe?
{snip}
THE PRESIDENT: Mike, please.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mr. President.
{snip}
Lastly, as the President highlighted yesterday, businesses around America are stepping up as never before. Tomorrow, Ill travel with Secretary Sonny Perdue to Gordonsville, Virginia, to the Walmart distribution center, just so the American people can see firsthand how the food supply is continuing to roll on 18 wheels and through air freight all over America.
{snip}
Q Just to be clear, what is the projected death toll, should the people be reasonably good at following these mitigation measures?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, if theyre reasonably good, I guess we could say that Id like to have maybe Dr. Fauci or Deb come up and say. I mean, I have numbers but Id rather have them say the numbers, if you dont mind. Its a big its a big question.
{snip}
Q Mr. President
Q Mr. President
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, John.
Q If I could maybe direct a question to you and then to Dr. Fauci as well. We you told us yesterday that youre accomplishing or the U.S., at least, is accomplishing 100,000 tests per day. But were still hearing difficult stories from the frontlines of first responders, who you praised so appropriately a little while ago, that they cant test all of the people that they need to test. Do you have any kind of projection as to when everyone who needs a test will be able to receive one?
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I can only say that were doing more than anybody in the world, by far. We are testing it highly accurate tests. These are tests that work. As you know, many tests are being sent to countries, and theyre broken.
{snip}
THE PRESIDENT: Were watching whatever happens around the world. Were watching those trials very closely. Yeah.
Q Mitch McConnell had a line today. He was on
THE PRESIDENT: Mitch?
Q Mitch McConnell. Yeah. He said that impeachment diverted the attention of the government. Do you think that, in any way? This was happening and building at the same time. Did it divert your attention or your teams attention or the Vice Presidents attention?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I dont like to think I did. I think I handled it very well, but I guess it probably did. I mean, I got impeached. I think, you know, I certainly devoted a little time to thinking about it, right?
Q (Inaudible) the pandemic?
THE PRESIDENT: So, but think of it: It was a hoax. It was a total hoax. And when you think that I got impeached only because they had a majority in the House. They didnt get one they didnt get one Republican vote 196 to nothing. Not one Republican. Its nev- I dont think its ever happened. The Republicans stuck together and they stuck together in the Senate 52 to a half. A half.
So, you know, when you say that yeah, I think it took a lot of I see them going and saying about speed. Well, they probably illegally impeached me in the sense that, if you look at the FBI today with what happened, the horrible things nobody cares about that now because all theyre thinking about is the virus, and thats okay with me.
But you look at the report that came out from IG Horowitz; its disgraceful what went on. Its disgraceful. Its a total disgrace. They got caught in the act. But you know what? We wont talk about that now. Did it divert my attention? I think Im getting A-pluses for the way I handled myself during a phony impeachment. Okay? It was a hoax.
But certainly, I guess, I thought of it. And I think I probably acted I dont think I would have done any better had I not been impeached. Okay? And I think thats a great tribute to something; maybe its a tribute to me. But I dont think I would have acted any differently or I dont think I would have acted any faster.
But the Democrats, their whole their whole life, their whole being, their whole existence was to try and get me out of office any way they can, even if it was a phony deal. And it was a phony deal. And it turned out and all you have to do is look today at the FBI reports. Take a look at what the FBI did. Take a look at the people. Take a look at Comeys report 78 pages of total kill. Take a look at that. Take a look at the report on McCabe. Just read it and youll see how horrible it was. And you know what? I dont think this country is going to take it, if you want to know the truth.
Q Was there some call you would have had time to make? Is there how did it take you out of the game?
Q What guidance are you offering to Florida when it comes to the two Holland America cruise ships that are seeking to dock here? Many are sick and
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. Well, Ill be speaking Im going to be spea- in fact, he has a call in to me and well be speaking to well be speaking to the governor and well be speaking to him soon.
But theres a case we have two ships. There are people that are sick on the ship. And we dont want to be like, theyre going to be ghost ships. You know, people turn those ships away.
There was a ship, as you know, in a certain part of Asia, and, from port to port, nobody would take it. But in the meantime, you have people that are dying on the ship or at least very sick, but theyre dying on the ship.
Q So what is
THE PRESIDENT: So, Im going to Im going to you know, Im going to do whats right, not only for us, but for humanity. I mean, these are two big ships and they have a lot of very sick people. And Ill be speaking to Ill be speaking to the governor.
Lets do just a couple of more back here. Yeah, go ahead please. Well get well get go ahead please.
Q Thank you very much. I was hoping you could
THE PRESIDENT: Do you ever run out of questions, you people? Its the most unbelievable thing. You go through the room
Q So
THE PRESIDENT: But I have nothing else to do. So if you want us I mean, if you want. Should we keep it going, John? I think so. Lets goTHE PRESIDENT: Were watching whatever happens around the world. Were watching those trials very closely. Yeah.
Q Mitch McConnell had a line today. He was on
THE PRESIDENT: Mitch?
Q Mitch McConnell. Yeah. He said that impeachment diverted the attention of the government. Do you think that, in any way? This was happening and building at the same time. Did it divert your attention or your teams attention or the Vice Presidents attention?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I dont like to think I did. I think I handled it very well, but I guess it probably did. I mean, I got impeached. I think, you know, I certainly devoted a little time to thinking about it, right?
Q (Inaudible) the pandemic?
THE PRESIDENT: So, but think of it: It was a hoax. It was a total hoax. And when you think that I got impeached only because they had a majority in the House. They didnt get one they didnt get one Republican vote 196 to nothing. Not one Republican. Its nev- I dont think its ever happened. The Republicans stuck together and they stuck together in the Senate 52 to a half. A half.
So, you know, when you say that yeah, I think it took a lot of I see them going and saying about speed. Well, they probably illegally impeached me in the sense that, if you look at the FBI today with what happened, the horrible things nobody cares about that now because all theyre thinking about is the virus, and thats okay with me.
But you look at the report that came out from IG Horowitz; its disgraceful what went on. Its disgraceful. Its a total disgrace. They got caught in the act. But you know what? We wont talk about that now. Did it divert my attention? I think Im getting A-pluses for the way I handled myself during a phony impeachment. Okay? It was a hoax.
But certainly, I guess, I thought of it. And I think I probably acted I dont think I would have done any better had I not been impeached. Okay? And I think thats a great tribute to something; maybe its a tribute to me. But I dont think I would have acted any differently or I dont think I would have acted any faster.
But the Democrats, their whole their whole life, their whole being, their whole existence was to try and get me out of office any way they can, even if it was a phony deal. And it was a phony deal. And it turned out and all you have to do is look today at the FBI reports. Take a look at what the FBI did. Take a look at the people. Take a look at Comeys report 78 pages of total kill. Take a look at that. Take a look at the report on McCabe. Just read it and youll see how horrible it was. And you know what? I dont think this country is going to take it, if you want to know the truth.
Q Was there some call you would have had time to make? Is there how did it take you out of the game?
Q What guidance are you offering to Florida when it comes to the two Holland America cruise ships that are seeking to dock here? Many are sick and
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. Well, Ill be speaking Im going to be spea- in fact, he has a call in to me and well be speaking to well be speaking to the governor and well be speaking to him soon.
But theres a case we have two ships. There are people that are sick on the ship. And we dont want to be like, theyre going to be ghost ships. You know, people turn those ships away.
There was a ship, as you know, in a certain part of Asia, and, from port to port, nobody would take it. But in the meantime, you have people that are dying on the ship or at least very sick, but theyre dying on the ship.
Q So what is
THE PRESIDENT: So, Im going to Im going to you know, Im going to do whats right, not only for us, but for humanity. I mean, these are two big ships and they have a lot of very sick people. And Ill be speaking to Ill be speaking to the governor.
Lets do just a couple of more back here. Yeah, go ahead please. Well get well get go ahead please.
Q Thank you very much. I was hoping you could
THE PRESIDENT: Do you ever run out of questions, you people? Its the most unbelievable thing. You go through the room
Q So
THE PRESIDENT: But I have nothing else to do. So if you want us I mean, if you want. Should we keep it going, John? I think so. Lets go.
Q Would you clarify something for me, please? Andrew Cuomo, today, said that the system that you have, where governors are trying to get ventilators, its like being on eBay with 50 other states bidding on a ventilator, plus FEMA. And then you just said tonight, They shouldnt be doing that.
THE PRESIDENT: You mean he was he was complaining?
Q Well, he said
THE PRESIDENT: Say it. Say it. What did he say exactly? What did say? Go ahead.
Q He said that when you have states competing for ventilators and medical care, its like being on eBay with 50 other states bidding on a ventilator, plus FEMA.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, he shouldnt be complaining because we gave him a lot of ventilators. And if you take a look at the chart its down but I wish he got going a little bit sooner.
But we gave him a lot of ventilators. And you know what? He has a lot of ventilators. The problem is: With some people, no matter what you give, its never enough. Its never enough. Like, theyll say, Hows Trump doing? And youre a Democrat. Some of them said, Really good. Ill tell you, Gavin Newsom, from California who is doing a good job, by the way and others said, Really good.
But, you know, generally, your natural reflex Hows Trump doing? You ask that question to a Democrat. Uh, well, uh, we dont like it. Oh, really? You dont like it? Were getting very high marks. But Im not doing this for marks; Im doing this to save lives.
When John acted
(Cross-talk.)
Wait. When John saw the numbers and when Jim saw those numbers, theyre shocking numbers. You know, youre talking about deaths. Even at the low end, you were shocked when you see 100- and 120,000 and 200,000 people over, potentially, a very short period of time.
I want to save lives. Im not doing this for any other reason. I want to save lives.
{snip}
Jim.
Q Back to your comments about what could have happened and and the actions that you took. Is there any fairness to the criticism that you may have lulled Americans into a false sense of security
THE PRESIDENT: No.
Q when you were saying things like, Its going to go away
THE PRESIDENT: Well, it is.
Q and that sort of thing. But
THE PRESIDENT: Jim, its going away.
Q But when you were saying it was going to go away
THE PRESIDENT: Its going to go away, hopefully at the end of the month. And, if not, hopefully it will be soon after that.
Q But hasnt your thinking on this evolved?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, it is going Jim, it is going away.
Q Hasnt your thinking on this evolved? Youre taking this more seriously now.
THE PRESIDENT: I think, from the beginning, my attitude was that we have to give this country I know how bad it was. All you have to do is look at what was going on in China. It was devastation. And all you have look at the numbers from China, those initial numbers coming out from China.
But, you know, I read an article today, which was very interesting. They say, We wish President Trump would give more bad news. Give bad news. Im not about bad news. I want to give people hope. I want to give people a feeling that we all have a chance. I mean
Q But my
THE PRESIDENT: when when you saw when you saw the numbers and when John and all of you saw those numbers and youre saying, 120,000 people? You mean, thats good? A hundred thousand dead people within a short period of time. I want to give people a feeling of hope. I could be very negative. I could say, Wait a minute, those numbers are terrible. This is going to be horrible. This is a horrible thing.
Q Is it possible that people heard what you were saying
THE PRESIDENT: Hey, Jim, this
Q last month and said, Okay, lets go to the beach, lets go to the airport, lets go down to Mardi Gras
THE PRESIDENT: Well, there were a lot of people
Q Lets go do those things.
THE PRESIDENT: There were a lot of people that could have said that. We didnt say that. Fortunately, I didnt say that. And that was an alternative. We talked about it. That was always an alternative. Thats what I said. Let it rip, let it ride. Do nothing. And we could have had 2.2 million dead people, more than that, because I didnt do that.
And we did catch it early. And we stopped China really early, and we stopped Europe really early, because I saw what was happening. What what happened is I stopped Italy, because Italy was really heavily infected. We started off with certain parts of Italy, then all of Italy, then we saw Spain. Then I said, Stop Europe. Lets stop Europe. We have to stop them from coming here. Europe. I love Europe, but they were having problems.
I dont think anybody did a better job than that, especially when you see the 2.2, million number. And I hope were going to be substantially under the numbers that youre looking at on the minimum side. Then I think we will have hey, look, its still tremendous death.
Q You werent just hoping that it would dissipate, that this would disappear.
THE PRESIDENT: I want to be positive. I dont want to be negative. I have to Im a positive person. Somebody said, Oh, I wish hed be more negative. They literally have that; its in one of the wonderful newspapers today. I wish hed be more negative. Well, this is really easy to be negative about. But I want to give people hope too. You know, Im a cheerleader for the country. Were going through the worst thing that the country has probably ever seen.
Look, we had the Civil War, we lost 600,000 people, right? Heres the thing: Had we not done anything, we would have lost many times that. But we did something, and so its going to be, hopefully, way under that. But, you know, we lose more here potentially then you lose in World Wars as a country. So theres nothing positive, theres nothing great about it, but I want to give people in this country hope. I think its very important.
Q So you knew it was going to be this severe when you were saying, This is under control and
THE PRESIDENT: I thought it could be. I knew everything. I knew it could be horrible and I knew it could be maybe good. Dont forget, at that time, people didnt know that much about it, even the experts. We were talking about it. We didnt know where it was going. We saw China, but that was it. Maybe it would have stopped at China. We wish we could have killed it in China, but it didnt happen. It started spreading to Europe. It started spreading here. It started spreading all over.
But and Im not blaming anybody. Im just saying that we have an incredible thing. I think the people our professionals, our military, our governors, our politicians I think theyve done an incredible job. I mean, with few exceptions, I think theyve done an incredible job. But I dont want to be a negative person. Itd be so much easier for me to come up and say, We have bad news. Were going to lose 220,000 people and its going to happen over the next few weeks.
And with that, I did start off by saying today, long before this question, I said, This is going to be a rough two or three weeks. This is going to be one of the roughest two or three weeks weve ever had in our country. Were going to lose thousands of people.
When I see 28, 29 people from the governor of New Jersey 29 people. When you see 173 people died in New York yesterday or whatever the number was; I think it was more than that. When you see the kind of numbers that were witnessing, weve never seen numbers like that. So, its easy to be negative. And then everybody can be negative, but Im a cheerleader for our country and I want it to do a great job so the number can be kept and Ive always said it: I want as few a number of people to die as possible. And thats all were working on.
Q I know you dont you dont like the question, but are you now taking responsibility
THE PRESIDENT: I dont mind the question.
Q Do you do you mi-
THE PRESIDENT: I dont mind the question. I think its actually
Q Are you now taking responsibility for how things go from this point forward?
THE PRESIDENT: I think its not meant to be. Look, I know you well enough, so its not meant to be a fair question, but it is a fair question. I think weve done a fantastic job.
Q Actually, its meant to be a fair question. I
THE PRESIDENT: Okay, fine, Ill Ill accept your word. Look, Jim, I think weve done a great job. Were going to see how it comes out. But when you look at minimal numbers of 120,000 people, when you look at it could have been 2.2 million people died and more if we did nothing if we just did nothing, it wouldve gone up and it wouldve come down. As per your statement, it would have been confined. It would have been a similar time, maybe even less time. It would have been violence like weve never seen in this country before.
We had great professionals, great military, really great governors and politicians. I cannot say enough about whats going on. And as per what you said, I think were way ahead of schedule, in terms of numbers. I think. I hope. But if we can keep it under the minimum numbers, the country is doing not me the country has done a great job. But I think Ive done a really good job of mobilizing. I think Mike Pence has been fantastic. I put him in charge of the task force. We have wonderful people on the task force, Jim. Wonderful people.
Theyre this man was working, literally he had days where he didnt go to bed. He didnt go to sleep. He called he went 24 hours and then started the next day. People dont know the job he did. I didnt even know he was that good of a manager, to be honest with you Mike, okay? And, you know, you never know that about somebody until theyre tested under fire. But he saw it very early also. We both did.
They saw it very early. They knew pretty soon they probably knew sooner than anybody because thats what they study, thats what they do. Must be a depressing business, right? Must be a little bit depressing, but theyve theyve seen it all.
Go ahead, John.
{snip}
Q One more. I have one more, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: All right, go ahead. How about over here?
Q I got a follow-up on the masks, sir. But, first, you had mentioned Franklin Graham earlier
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q talking to him. As you know, his father, Billy Graham, was a trusted spiritual advisor and friend to many presidents. A lot of your predecessors, in times of national emergency, reached out to pastors and other spiritual counselors. Have you done that during this national emergency?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I never say that, but Franklin Graham is somebody thats very special. I have many very special people. And very many special in the evangelical evangelical Christian community. You can talk rabbis, you can talk a lot of you know, I have tremendous support from religious leaders. And Franklin Graham, I just spoke to him today for an extended period of time. I told him what a fantastic job youre doing. And he does this; he loves doing it. He loves helping people. And he loves Jesus that, I can tell you. He loves Jesus. Hes a great gentleman.
Go ahead.
{snip}
THE PRESIDENT: Please, go ahead.
Q So, under some of the worst-case scenarios, there is a real scarcity problem if youve given out, say, 7,000 ventilators and we got 10,000 around. So Im just curious, who is who signs off on those life and death decisions before GM and Ford ramp up?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I would say
Q Whos going to sign off on that?
THE PRESIDENT: Mike Pence, myself, the head of FEMA, some of our generals that are working, that are doing an unbelievable you know, we have generals that are working that are unbelievable talents, unbelievable leaders. And itll go through one of three or four people, if it comes down to that. And I hope it doesnt come down to that because I think were very well equipped.
And its an honor to be here tonight. I appreciate it. I appreciate your interest. I think there is a great interest in it. And well see you tomorrow. Well see you tomorrow. Thank you. Thank you very much.
END
7:41 P.M. EDT
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