PANTS ON FIRE LIE
‘Mars Needn’t Worry’: Top Trump Economic Advisor Slammed for Claiming Coronavirus ‘Contained’ After CDC Warns of Spread
Larry Kudlow, President Donald Trump’s top economic advisor, is falsely claiming the U.S. has “contained” the coronavirus, literally minutes after reports broke that the CDC is warning of a spread of the deadly virus that has killed 2600 people, mostly in China.
The U.S. has 53 confirmed cases as of Monday, according to the World Health Organization.
“We have contained this. I won’t say ‘air-tight,’ but it’s pretty close to air-tight,” Kudlow said on CNBC, where he worked as a financial analyst and TV host before Trump hired him to be his Director of the National Economic Council.
“There will be some stumbles. We’re looking at numbers; it’s a little iffy,” Kudlow continued, referring to the economic, not human impact. “But at the moment, the numbers that we’re looking at … there’s no supply disruptions out there yet.” Kudlow did classify the human toll as tragic.
The U.S. has “contained” the coronavirus, NEC Director Larry Kudlow says. “Pretty close to airtight.” https://t.co/LJKSIghL7q pic.twitter.com/mkRzCrHMM1
— CNBC (@CNBC) February 25, 2020
The DOW has dropped over 1800 points this week, in less than two full days of trading so far as a result of coronavirus fears.
Many on social media said the administration put Kudlow out to minimize the economic damage, after the CDC warned the American public earlier today that “we expect we will see community spread in the United States” of the coronavirus. The CDC also added: “It’s not a question of if this will happen but when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illnesses.”
“We are asking the American public to prepare for the expectation that this might be bad,” a top CDC official said.
Here’s what one emergency/trauma radiologist and health policy/economics professor says:
Maybe the stock-market puppeteers should get together with the actual scientists. While @larry_kudlow is telling us not to worry, our CDC is giving apt advice. https://t.co/aBTQdMOxFZ pic.twitter.com/Y7XX9LWS2n
— (((Howard Forman))) (@thehowie) February 25, 2020
Even this CNBC anchor disputes his former colleague’s comments:
I’m sorry, but how can anyone declare that, “we have contained this” when they have absolutely no idea how bad it will get here and the CDC itself says moments ago that the spread of the Coronavirus in the United States “might be bad.”
— Scott Wapner (@ScottWapnerCNBC) February 25, 2020
On social media many are furious about Kudlow’s coverup.
Yes, we’ve contained it to planet earth. Mars needn’t worry.
Ridiculous statement. https://t.co/mMHOm7sBpU
— Downtown Josh Brown (@ReformedBroker) February 25, 2020
Good to know the administration is coordinating its #COVIDー19 #coronoavirusoutbreak messaging so well. pic.twitter.com/UNrE47Qr9r
— Aaron Mehta (@AaronMehta) February 25, 2020
Government double talk on full display today:
1) CDC warns of “severe” disruptions – businesses and schools closing in U.S. – because of #COVIDー19 (aka #Coronavirus)
2) White House advisor Kudlow says everything’s under control— West Wing Reports (edited by Paul Brandus) (@WestWingReport) February 25, 2020
Dear @larry_kudlow. Your Team Trump panic is showing. You are lying at his behest to calm fears and stop the stock market from turning. You know nothing. You people have cut CDC funding to do what…build your wall? Now what?! By the way…#RushLimbaugh says it’s just a cold. https://t.co/2fZjwAi0c6
— Red Hot Jade (@JadeisFedUp) February 25, 2020
Case in point, this comment from Kudlow isn’t accurate. It suggests the Trump admin is more concerned about shoring up the stock market (and Trump’s re-election) than managing a real crisis.
But those who believe everything Trump says, may believe this over the CDC. https://t.co/DBXA8tUsaY
— Librarianshipwreck (@libshipwreck) February 25, 2020
That’s a lie, intended to slow the stock market dive which will damage the current president’s campaign.
CDC says the opposite.
“…top official said that disruptions to daily life could be severe.”
Note CDC page has changed today, may follow Kudlow.https://t.co/Wy7FpXgDzb https://t.co/COs2xPmHwz— George Fallar (@gfallar) February 25, 2020
Kudlow doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Would the amateurs in @realdonaldtrump’s @WhiteHouse Comm team please step aside and let the qualified professionals at @CDC and @NIH handled this crisis. Really. Trump is unprepared for this. https://t.co/IjoyAintM8
— Jim Fusilli (@jimfusillibooks) February 25, 2020
The DOW is tanking again today (-600 pts) so Kudlow was thrown in front of tvs to lie to the public (b/c lying on tv is ok b/c you’re not under oath) to try to manipulate the market. No diff than Trump claiming a “vaccine was near” only to find out that “near” = 1-1.5 YEARS AWAY
— Bebe📎 (@lovinbebemocha) February 25, 2020
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.