7 times Trump’s coronavirus promises failed

03/25/2020 10:38 am ET • John See

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Observers are struggling to come up with the right comparison for President Trump’s fact-free coronavirus briefings.

New York Times columnist Jennifer Senior says the briefings are “the falsification of history in real time” and compares them to Politburo propaganda.

Washington Post columnist Margaret Sullivan suggests the media stop covering the briefings, which she labels “a naked attempt to portray himself as a wartime president.”

Finding the right metaphor for the hollow boasting and complete lack of empathy may prove difficult, but what’s clear is that Trump’s bold promises are empty. Below are seven times Trump has over-promised and under-delivered.

1. U.S. peaking at five cases

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Trump at the White House, Feb. 26:

“So we’re at the low level. As they get better, we take them off the list, so that we’re going to be pretty soon at only five people. And we could be at just one or two people over the next short period of time.”

For the record, the number of cases skyrocketed “over the next short period of time”: 44 new cases on March 4; 259 new cases on March 11; and approximately 4,800 new cases on March 21.

2. Two ships to be deployed “within a week or so”

X Times Trump Failed to Deliver on Coronavirus Promises

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Trump at the White House, March 18:

“We’re sending, upon request, the two hospital ships … and they can be launched over the next week or so, depending on need.”

But a Navy spokesperson told Bloomberg that the ship promised for New York is “currently in for maintenance in Norfolk” and added that it would be a matter of weeks, not days, before the ship could launch.

3. ‘Anyone who needs a test can get a test’

Washington Homeland Security facility closes after employee became infected with coronavirus

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Trump at the CDC, March 6:

“They have the tests. And the tests are beautiful. Anybody that needs a test gets a test.”

But on that same day, a New York City health official begged the CDC for more tests, writing that the “two CDC test kits provide previously…do not meet the needs” of New York’s 8.6 million residents.

4. “Masks, swabs, sanitizers, ventilators” Right Now

Trump admin. sent health workers to receive infected Coronavirus patients without protective gear

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Trump at the White House, March 21:

“It’s been really pretty amazing what’s happened with the private sector — they are really in sixth gear, I think — which has responded in full force, helping to produce and supply much-needed masks, swabs, sanitizers, ventilators, and everything else…. And, at my direction, the FDA is taking rapid steps to make these items available for medical use right now.”

On the same day Trump made his promise, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Nurses Association wrote the White House, pleading for the president to use the Defense Production Act to address the “dwindling supplies of N95 respirators, isolation gowns, isolation masks,” and other equipment that providers need to protect themselves and treat patients.

5. “Right now” redux: Automakers and ventilators

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Trump at the White House, March 21:

“With that being said, General Motors, Ford, so many companies — I had three calls yesterday directly. Without having to institute — like, “You will do this” — these companies are making them right now.”

But, once again, Trump’s “right now” doesn’t mean right now. AP fact-checked the statement and concluded, “No automaker is anywhere close to making medical gear such as ventilators and remain months away — if not longer.”

6. Chloroquine is “not going to kill anybody.”

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Trump at the White House, March 19:

“So chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine. Now, this is a common malaria drug. It is also a drug used for strong arthritis. But the nice part is, it’s been around for a long time, so we know that if it — if things don’t go as planned, it’s not going to kill anybody.”

But an Arizona man died after taking chloroquine to block the coronavirus. His wife, who was hospitalized after taking the drug, said, “We saw Trump on TV — every channel — and all of his buddies and that this was safe. Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure.“

7. Victory over coronavirus is coming soon

X Times Trump's Coronavirus Promises Failed

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Trump at the White House, March 22:

This will be a great victory. This is going to be a victory. And it’s going to be a victory that, in my opinion, will happen much sooner than originally expected.

Given Trump’s track record regarding coronavirus promises, it would be foolish to act on his prediction of a quick victory. In fact, as Politico points out, “The threat has even infiltrated Congress, where three members have contracted the virus and several others are self-quarantining at home.”