In the wake of news of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's diagnosis with the viral pathogen behind the global pandemic, Fox News host Brian Kilmeade came under fire today for suggesting Trump's time in quarantine could be an opportunity for him to better prepare for next week's presidential debate.
The comments came this morning during a segment on Fox News' Fox and Friends, on which Kilmeade is a co-host.
Brian Kilmeade speculates that Trump could use his covid-19 quarantine "to recalibrate, strategize, prepare for the second debate. ... That could be this forced study time." pic.twitter.com/Ej4LC2iJSb
— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) October 2, 2020
Speaking with conservative commentator Byron Yorke, Kilmeade presented the President's diagnosis as a golden opportunity of sorts.
"This is also an opportunity to re-calibrate, strategize, prepare for the second debate. Go over your tapes, go over these policies, study your opponent..."
"That could be this... forced study time, forced reflection time, and maybe brainstorm."
Yorke agreed, saying enormous events like the President's diagnosis take a while for people to "digest" and predicted the diagnosis' impact on the election would be substantial.
Given Trump's proud admissions to not doing much debate prep, many on Twitter found Kilmeade's quarantine opportunity comments preposterous.
Right, people who don't study unforced are suddenly going to study when “forced" to. Lol, try again sir https://t.co/gYyb1hC9JI
— Kurt Reedich (@KurtReedich) October 2, 2020
On Fox, Brian Kilmeade predicts DJT will use this time to "study up for the second debate.... You know, brainstorm."
Okay.
— Dan Fagin (@danfagin) October 2, 2020
Despite the fact he never prepares, just assumes his inveterate lies will continue to dupe enough of his followers#TrumpIsALaughingStock https://t.co/EDjXO7Gfkl
— David Waters (@dwate1) October 2, 2020
If I were standing in the rain with Brian Kilmeade I'd look elsewhere for speculation on whether we were getting wet. He's feckless and dumb as a bag of hammers. https://t.co/VwQN7Jl7Bk
— Vilnis Schulz (@vilnisschulz) October 2, 2020
Others pointed out the President doesn't exactly have a reputation for diligence and deep thinking.
He's always struck me as a real Buckledown Workhound kinda guy https://t.co/lkaeTaj2I5
— Ana Gasteyer (@AnaGasteyer) October 2, 2020
Yes, that's been Trump's pattern when things aren't going his way. Renewed commitment to learning and rethinking the wisdom of his choices. https://t.co/UD7kgKrhde
— BlueCerealEducation (@BlueCerealEduc) October 2, 2020
Reflect and study??? Has he ever met trump?
— Jeanne Kirk (@jeannegirl326) October 2, 2020
While some saw Kilmeade's comments as yet another example of the right flattering the President no matter what.
State TV sees everything positive for Dear Leader. https://t.co/27veaCP37K
— Brian Young (@BrianYoung) October 2, 2020
Kilmeade is a glass-half-full kind of guy. https://t.co/ifB2dfSlcK
— Ed Bott (@edbott) October 2, 2020
Others pointed out that the debilitating nature of the virus made this all even more implausible.
My favorite thing to do when sick is study and confront just how woefully useless I am as a human being
— 📙Harvey💀Manfrenjensenden📙 (@WhipChatterly) October 2, 2020
I am a graduate student who loves to learn and I don't even do that when I home sick. https://t.co/gqeIyf69LP
— Ashley *BlackLivesMatter* (@Lady_Geologist) October 2, 2020
Kilmeade was openly critical of Trump's performance in last week's debate on Fox and Friends.
The morning following the debate, Kilmeade called out Trump's now infamous refusal to condemn White supremacy and White nationalist groups like the Proud Boys—labeled a domestic terrorist group by the FBI—which supports the President.
Kilmeade said after the debate:
"Donald Trump blew the biggest layup in the history of debates by not condemning White supremacists."
"I don't know if he didn't hear it, but he's got to clarify that right away. That's like, 'Are you against evil?'"
The Proud Boys subscribes to an openly misogynist, homophobic, transphobic and White nationalist ideology and advocates for violence.
The President and First Lady were reportedly diagnosed yesterday evening. The White House blamed presidential advisor Hope Hicks—who traveled maskless with the POTUS and FLOTUS—for exposing them to the virus.
Democratic candidate Joe Biden was tested following potential exposure at Tuesday's debate. The former Vice President tested negative.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social