ORLANDO — President Trump blamed Monday’s collapse of the stock markets on falling oil costs and the information media, once more dismissing the wi
ORLANDO — President Trump blamed Monday’s collapse of the stock markets on falling oil costs and the information media, once more dismissing the widening concern over coronavirus as he confronted one of the crucial rattling days of his presidency.
Mr. Trump, arriving in Orlando on Monday morning for a marketing campaign fund-raiser after spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago property, didn’t reply to reporters who shouted questions concerning the tumbling markets, however he made his views identified through his Twitter account.
“Saudi Arabia and Russia are arguing over the value and movement of oil,” he wrote while Air Force One was landing in Orlando. “That, and the Faux Information, is the explanation for the market drop!”
He sought to solid the decline in oil costs in constructive phrases. “Good for the buyer, gasoline costs coming down!” he wrote.
As for the coronavirus, he tried to reassure Individuals by as soon as once more emphasizing that it remained a comparatively low danger for many. “So final 12 months 37,000 Individuals died from the widespread Flu,” he wrote. “It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per 12 months. Nothing is shut down, life & the financial system go on. At this second there are 546 confirmed cases of Coronavirus, with 22 deaths. Take into consideration that!”
Mr. Trump has been accused of underplaying the danger of the virus at the same time as his administration has imposed journey restrictions and struggled to increase the distribution of testing kits. In personal, the president has complained that his personal well being secretary was being “alarmist,” however concern over the virus has begun to ripple by way of the financial system and society in exceptional methods, as organizations cancel conventions and journey, faculties and universities start to cancel in-person lessons and airways and lodges weigh vital layoffs.
The affect on American life was evident even in Mr. Trump’s personal schedule. Along with the closed-door fund-raiser, he had initially been slated to handle a well being care convention in Orlando on Monday nevertheless it was canceled due to concern of coronavirus.
The president’s temper appeared grim Monday morning as he left Palm Seaside, swiftly boarding Air Power One with out ready for information photographers to reach on the tarmac beneath the steps to take his image as he sometimes does. Arriving in Orlando, he made some extent of shaking arms with Gov. Ron DeSantis after which briefly shaking arms with a crowd of supporters who had gathered.