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With America now leading in positive virus cases around the world, President Donald Trump has been widely criticized for his mismanagement of the pandemic. At almost every step of the way, Trump has spread misinformation to the American people while dragging his feet on any substantial steps to fight the disease.
The President has other concerns, however. Based on what he spends his time tweeting about, it seems Trump is more focused on the TV ratings of his press conferences than the health and safety of citizens.
On Sunday, March 29, the President sent out an entire Twitter thread praising the ratings of his own press conferences as if they were episodes of some sort of reality show.
Because the “Ratings” of my News Conferences etc. are so high, “Bachelor finale, Monday Night Football type numbers… https://t.co/91g2U2TgGl— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1585501580.0
“President Trump is a ratings hit. Since reviving the daily White House briefing Mr. Trump and his coronavirus upda… https://t.co/bLGu66Jj55— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1585504116.0
...On Monday, nearly 12.2 million people watched Mr. Trump’s briefing on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, according to Niel… https://t.co/oB97AMKil3— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1585504117.0
On Twitter, Trump's critics quickly lashed out at him for his inappropriate posts.
I think someone in the press room today should ask Trump if he thinks he’s going to be able to maintain his TV rati… https://t.co/rEQzcrTtt3— George Conway (@George Conway)1585514779.0
ok but how are Trump’s TV ratings down there https://t.co/Mo0hMVCUMT— George Conway (@George Conway)1585510546.0
People are dying and everyone is scared. So many heroes are selflessly working to attend to our health and safety,… https://t.co/BfUlNLkag3— Valerie Jarrett (@Valerie Jarrett)1585511673.0
The pandemic is a public health emergency that costs more Americans their lives every day, yet President Trump is giddy over how many people are tuning in to watch him talk.
Why bother to tweet about this, of all things? https://t.co/ORce5bNNMy— Brit Hume (@Brit Hume)1585504284.0
Dr. Fauci told me today that the coronavirus could kill anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 Americans, and infect mill… https://t.co/gMwmZv7Dcr— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper)1585504906.0
This feels like the millionth example of behavior no other President would ever let themselves stoop to.
“All we have to fear...is low ratings” https://t.co/CXBXVJiU5a— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks)1585511438.0
America First is the Trump campaign slogan https://t.co/KwGTOnWoDm— Adam Parkhomenko (@Adam Parkhomenko)1585449037.0
Real Americans are being affected by the global pandemic.
@realDonaldTrump As the "president" touts the rise in ratings of his daily propaganda briefings, the number of deat… https://t.co/ogsaIWt6Jd— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!)1585505716.0
@realDonaldTrump I literally cannot believe Trump cares this much about his ratings in the middle of the worst pand… https://t.co/FCQDAiw853— Eugene Gu, MD (@Eugene Gu, MD)1585504783.0
While quoting the Times, Trump also seemed to ignore the most important part of their article: that many networks were considering whether or not they should air his press briefings, seeing as they're so peppered with lies and inaccuracies.
In fact, one NPR station already has.
Trump's Twitter thread about his press briefing ratings inaccurately quoted a New York Times article. Trump failed… https://t.co/GKv8se7pnY— Bill Maxwell 🌊REMOVE TRUMP 2020🌊 (@Bill Maxwell 🌊REMOVE TRUMP 2020🌊)1585541195.0
President Trump tweeted a New York Times article touting the high TV ratings that his coronavirus press briefings h… https://t.co/THnrappsti— Axios (@Axios)1585509272.0
Now more than ever, people need accurate, helpful information.
At the next “briefing,” which journalist will have the guts to ask, “Mr. President, at a time when people are dying… https://t.co/I9yjxfEokN— Richard Marx (@Richard Marx)1585510297.0
As Trump attacks reporters, boasts about ratings, and pushes more lies from the Rose Garden during his Sunday press… https://t.co/Usxi1IEQPC— Steven J. Harper (@Steven J. Harper)1585523380.0
Even if the briefings WERE a reality show, they wouldn't be a good one.
Now more than ever, Americans need a President who can handle a major problem in a professional, competent way. Sadly, it doesn't look like President Trump is up to the challenge.
You can purchase A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of America by Philip Rucker and Carole Leonnig on Amazon here.