Even with the urgency of the 2020 election to the party, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's campaign has for months adjusted its events to meet the standard of health experts to avoid spreading the virus that's killed over 200 thousand Americans.
President Donald Trump and his campaign, as recently as Wednesday, mocked Biden for taking these measures—and Trump even derided him for wearing a mask.
Meanwhile, Trump's campaign has continued to hold packed rallies with thousands of supporters, many of whom forego the masks ridiculed by the President. These rallies, along with some of Trump's other campaign and official events, have been linked to multiple cases of the highly contagious virus.
Hogan Gidley, the Trump campaign's press secretary, was asked on CNN if he was hesitant about an upcoming rally in Wisconsin with Vice President Mike Pence as hospitals in the swing state reach near capacity.
Watch below.
CNN's @AlisynCamerota: "Hospitals in WI are near capacity. Does that give you any pause about going there and holding a big rally?"
Trump 2020 Press Sec. Hogan Gidley: “No, it doesn't … the VP has the best doctors in the world around him." pic.twitter.com/aBRe6IYgCF
— The Recount (@therecount) October 28, 2020
When asked if it "gave him pause," Gidley said:
"No it doesn't. The Vice President has the best doctors in the world around him. They've obviously contact traced and come to the conclusion that it's fine for him to be out on the campaign trail. The American people have the right under the First Amendment to peaceably assemble too."
Gidley's concern seemed to be with the Vice President—five of whose aides tested positive for the virus late last week—and not with the thousands of people attending the campaign's rallies, numbers that Trump's allies brag about.
It seemed clear to many where the campaign's priorities were.
These people, the ones in charge of keeping you and your loved ones physically safe, have no concept of their own responsibility. https://t.co/QnfMOv12SP
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) October 28, 2020
Very revealing answer. https://t.co/cdrqZYPyA8
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) October 28, 2020
"Are you worried about reports of starvation, your highness?"
"Not at all, the palace is well stocked with food." https://t.co/2ftqK0muN1
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) October 28, 2020
And if you're not the VP...? https://t.co/6JBjFjKRrQ
— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) October 28, 2020
It literally doesn't even occur to Gidley that an administration should care about the people in the audience. https://t.co/cxHofVxaST
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) October 28, 2020
they couldn't be more clear: they don't care about anyone but themselves. https://t.co/mQjOgv1xoI
— tyler oakley (@tyleroakley) October 28, 2020
Gidley's gaffe came less than a day after thousands of Trump rally attendees in Nebraska on Tuesday night were left stranded in freezing temperatures when buses provided by the campaign proved insufficient.
Critics urged Trump's supporters to realize how little the campaign actually cares for them.
“We don't care if crowds get sick. Didn't you see Omaha last night?" https://t.co/HIdiFu7wqs
— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) October 28, 2020
Trump & the Republicans who enable him
It's so weird.
After being reminded hospitals in WI are near capacity -
Trump 2020 Press Sec. Hogan Gidley says big rallies are fine because Pence has good doctors 🤔
The Omaha mindset - the health of supporters isn't considered https://t.co/hW8EnkELmw
— ☇RiotWomenn☇ (@riotwomennn) October 28, 2020
Seeing this after hundreds, maybe thousands, of ppl were left to freeze for four hours after a rally last night in Omaha.
I wonder how long it'll take for the gop to look back on this admin and feel ashamed. https://t.co/5sbqRnhANG
— Urtle 43 (Brandy Horne) (@elemental_pea) October 28, 2020
When asked why he wasn't quarantining after potential exposure to the virus, Pence's team said it was because campaigning was an "essential" job.
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