CNN host Jake Tapper tore into Donald Trump on Sunday, saying the president has “become a symbol” of his own “failures” amid his coronavirus diagnosis.
The CNN host’s rant came on State of the Union, as Trump is hospitalized following his COVID-19 diagnosis.
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Tapper accused White House staff and Trump administration officials of not taking coronavirus precautions or considering others.
“I wish you all health and recovery and a long life, but we have to note the tragedy here. it is horrible. and awful. and profound,” Tapper said.
“Sick and in isolation, Mr President, you have become a symbol of your own failures – failures of recklessness, ignorance, arrogance. the same failures you have been inflicting on the rest of us,” he said, addressing Trump.
“Get well, and please, for the rest of us who don’t get to go to Walter Reed, get well and get it together.”
In his slam of Trump, Tapper also noted how millions of Americans have taken precautions against the virus – but that hundreds of thousands of lives that have been lost.
“So much of all this pain could have been avoided. So many of us since March have been doing everything we can to preserve the health of not only ourselves and our family, but our communities, our neighbors, you,” Tapper said.
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He added: “208,000 Americans have died. Thousands of Americans have lost loved ones without being able to properly mourn or even say goodbye.”
Tapper then tore into Trump for going to Bedminster, New Jersey and holding a fundraiser as adviser Hope Hicks was diagnosed with COVID-19.
“Regardless of the sympathy we may feel, we also know the president has been undermining these efforts – expressing disdain for health regulations and those who abide by them,” Tapper said.
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“The president and his team have been behaving as if this pandemic is over.
“This callous indifference to the wellbeing of the citizens the president swore to protect – it’s no longer just theoretical.”
Trump revealed his coronavirus diagnosis on Friday morning – and was rushed to Walter Reed hospital later that evening.
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Conflicting reports from Trump’s medical team and his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, sparked concern that the President was facing potentially severe illness from the virus.
On Sunday, however, his doctor, Sean Conley, said the president had experienced “two episodes of transient drops in his oxygen levels” – but may be able to leave the hospital tomorrow.
Tapper’s rant came the day after MSNBC host Joy Reid suggested Trump is faking COVID-19 to “get out of debates.”
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“Here’s how wrecked Trump’s credibility is at this point: I’ve got a cellphone full of texts from people who aren’t sure whether to believe Trump actually has covid,” Reid tweeted.
“‘He lies so much,’ one friend just texted. ‘Is he doing this to get out of the debates?’ others are texting,” Reid added.
As Trump is hospitalized, at least 10 people in his inner circle – including First Lady Melania Trump, former aide Kellyanne Conway, and campaign manager, Bill Stepien, have all tested positive for COVID-19.
