President Trump—who repeatedly misrepresented and downplayed the severity of the global pandemic and failed to take many precautions that would have saved U.S. lives—is now blaming America's death toll on "somebody a long time ago."
While praising his own administration's response to the crisis, he made sure people knew he blamed "somebody" other than himself:
"There has been so much unnecessary death in this country...It could have been stopped and it could have been stopped short, but somebody a long time ago, it seems, decided not to do it that way. And the whole world is suffering because of it."
While Trump doesn't bear any responsibility for starting the virus, his response to the threat has gained widespread criticism. As it spread through China and Italy, Trump claimed the virus was a "hoax."
Once it began to arrive in the U.S. Trump said cases would disappear "like a miracle."
To this day, Trump has yet to take steps towards the widespread testing experts believe is integral to reopening the U.S. safely.
Twitter was quick to remind the President of his own failure of responsibility.
The buck stops with "somebody a long time ago" https://t.co/R84nJHO1OQ— Ezra Klein (@Ezra Klein) 1588028962.0
Who’s going to tell him?... https://t.co/1LSNznoO1j— Katie S. Phang (@Katie S. Phang) 1588026008.0
“Somebody a long time ago could have stopped this?” Who is he talking about? Is it a rare moment or self-reflection… https://t.co/imqnrMeoeR— David Axelrod (@David Axelrod) 1588024725.0
We may never know who this "somebody" is that caused so much death and devastation.
Somebody = Trump A long time ago = February Now. Ask him about bleach. https://t.co/DrDlZt0PZY— Steve Marmel (@Steve Marmel) 1588025461.0
Trump just punted the blame for coronavirus on "somebody, a long time ago" who decided this was going to happen and OK I laughed.— Linette Lopez (@Linette Lopez) 1588024687.0
When you’re so lazy & irresponsible you can’t even come up with a specific person or thing to blame for all the “un… https://t.co/cyFljzRBt2— Andrew Wortman 🏳️🌈 (@Andrew Wortman 🏳️🌈) 1588026686.0
Unlike many Presidents before him, Trump can't wait to place responsibility on literally anyone but himself.
The buck stops nowhere. https://t.co/XUO9kQnP3T— Rick Wilson (@Rick Wilson) 1588040937.0
The disease “could have been stopped, it could have been stopped a long time ago. But somebody decided not to do it… https://t.co/euWWJKG1qJ— Helen Kennedy (@Helen Kennedy) 1588024730.0
I don’t think I’d call a few months back “a long time ago,” but otherwise, excellent points here by President Someb… https://t.co/GoRFYuMLyQ— Kevin M. Kruse (@Kevin M. Kruse) 1588026218.0
“Somebody a long time ago”, was just 5 months ago when Trump was warned in details of the novel coronavirus & Trump… https://t.co/6fFHmZAfAp— Gem Heyes (@Gem Heyes) 1588070604.0
Also, not to nit-pick, but this past January wasn't an incredibly long time ago.
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” - Lincoln “The buck stops here.” - Truman… https://t.co/pdCLmIJ5BG— Andrew Weinstein (@Andrew Weinstein) 1588091780.0
“Somebody a long time ago decided not to do it that way.” Trump engages primitive, immature, & maladaptive defense… https://t.co/hmwW3yOuWJ— Daniel J. Winarick, Ph.D. (@Daniel J. Winarick, Ph.D.) 1588034072.0
President Trump would like Americans to believe he's been perfect every step of the way.
Somebody, a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away... @CBSNews https://t.co/cnnL4MqSlU— Ran H (@Ran H) 1588035747.0
@BettyBowers somebody a long time ago... https://t.co/IARzzlnZ3c— Bougie Muffin (@Bougie Muffin) 1588042567.0
If you're watching carefully enough, you might just be able to see through the President's clever ruse. The "somebody" he's referring to is, in fact, himself.