thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-08--How Right-Wing Media Helped Pave The Way To Michael Flynn's Freedom

Alex Wroblewski via Getty Images Former national security adviser Michael Flynn , accompanied by his then-new lawyer Sidney Powell , leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S .
Courthouse on June 24 , 2019 , in Washington , D.C .
The Trump administration ’ s decision on Thursday to drop a felony charge against a former White House national security adviser — who twice admitted in federal court to lying to the FBI about his communications with the Russian ambassador — has garnered criticism from an array of legal experts , Democratic lawmakers , former federal prosecutors and former FBI officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in right-wing media , however , which celebrated the news of the Department of Justice dropping the case against retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as supposed proof of their longstanding claims that the entire investigation into foreign interference in the 2016 election was a politically motivated conspiracy against President Donald Trump .
To understand how Trump ’ s DOJ came to make its latest move , you have to understand how right-wing media built an alternate reality around Flynn and the Russia investigation over the past several years .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
They hated the president and they used every opportunity to take him down , ” Fox News host Jeanine Pirro said on colleague Tucker Carlson ’ s prime-time show .
Carlson said “ there shouldn ’ t be a debate ” about the Flynn case , referring to it as a “ setup.
” Fox News contributor Sara Carter called the entire investigation a “ conspiracy ” perpetrated “ against the American people , ” saying “ this is seditious and it ’ s treasonous and people need to be held accountable.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see it this way .
Greg Brower , the FBI ’ s former top liaison to Congress who previously served in the Nevada state Senate as a Republican , thinks DOJ ’ s latest action is “ incredibly unusual ” and “ unprecedented ” and said he hadn ’ t heard of any FBI or DOJ veterans who could think of a similar case .
Brower is disappointed that conservative media has pushed the idea that Flynn ― despite twice admitting that he lied to the FBI ― was somehow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative that was false from its inception , that Flynn was somehow set up and framed by an FBI and then DOJ that deviated from the usual rules and guidelines and had some kind of goal of getting Flynn , and that was never accurate , ” Brower told HuffPost .
He said the goal of right-wing media “ seemed to have been to justify a presidential pardon ” for Flynn .
“ The real casualty here is truth , ” Brower said .
“ For many , you know , the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These conspiracy theories kind of take on a life of their own and , for many people , become reality and become truth , even though the facts don ’ t support it .
That ’ s the reality we ’ re living in right now.
” When Flynn first pleaded guilty back in December 2017 , he was represented by well-respected attorneys from the law firm of Covington & Burling .
Matters began to shift last summer when Flynn fired those lawyers and hired Sidney Powell , a former federal prosecutor who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before becoming a defense attorney .
She represented executives in the Enron scandal and came to believe that prosecutorial misconduct was a widespread problem at the Justice Department , self-publishing a 2014 book called “ Licensed to Lie ” that focused on corruption by federal prosecutors .
Powell leaned into a media strategy that painted Flynn as the victim of a plot by the deep state .
She sold T-shirts featuring cartoons of various DOJ and FBI officials that labeled them “ creeps on a mission.
” She appeared regularly in conservative media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter , all while raising cash for Flynn ’ s legal defense fund .
The Justice Department , no doubt , has a problem being transparent about how it punishes prosecutorial misconduct .
Decisions about attorney discipline are handled by a secretive internal office that one former federal prosecutor called a “ roach motel.
” The DOJ inspector general ’ s office , which has a more public-facing role , isn ’ t allowed to investigate instances of prosecutorial misconduct , and DOJ has long resisted calls from its inspectors general to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justification for dropping the charges against Flynn ― namely , that internal FBI notes that ponder whether the “ goal ” of interviewing Flynn was “ Truth/admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” ― don ’ t exonerate the former national security adviser .
DOJ now contends that it can ’ t prove his lies were material to the investigation , despite the fact that Flynn conceded they were material when he pleaded guilty .
It ’ s all quite unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help admitted felons get their charges tossed .
Right-wing media has long tried to make a martyr out of Flynn .
Taking a cue from Trump ’ s continued support of him during special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation , pro-Trump outlets reached for any information they could find to potentially vindicate him or at least obscure the facts around his guilty plea .
Flynn , along with his son Michael Flynn Jr. , had also promoted far-right conspiracy theorists on social media during the 2016 campaign and many of them championed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Trump television network Newsmax , host Greg Kelly and the president ’ s personal lawyer Rudolph Giuliani condemned the case against Flynn as a “ sham ” and a “ travesty.
” Right-wing activist Tom Fitton appeared on Fox Business host Lou Dobbs ’ show to say that the “ abuse of Trump , people like Gen. Flynn and others ” was arguably “ the worst corruption in the FBI ’ s history.
” Tucker Carlson , who is also an informal Trump adviser , characterized the FBI ’ s investigation of Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in third world dictatorships.
” Now that Flynn ’ s case is over , many of those same voices have moved on to demanding consequences for officials who oversaw the Russia investigation and for Obama-era figures who have long been targets of conservative media .
Pro-Trump pundits have led a relentless attack on FBI Director Christopher Wray ― who was picked for that job by the president ― calling for him to resign or be fired .
Others have suggested some broader conspiracy , with radio host Mark Levin telling Hannity that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greatest scandal in American history ” and demanding that former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden be questioned .

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn, accompanied by his then-new lawyer Sidney Powell, leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on June 24, 2019, in Washington, D.C. Alex Wroblewski via Getty Images
The Trump administration’s decision on Thursday to drop a felony charge against a former White House national security adviser — who twice admitted in federal court to lying to the FBI about his communications with the Russian ambassador — has garnered criticism from an array of legal experts, Democratic lawmakers, former federal prosecutors and former FBI officials.
There has been no such debate in right-wing media, however, which celebrated the news of the Department of Justice dropping the case against retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as supposed proof of their longstanding claims that the entire investigation into foreign interference in the 2016 election was a politically motivated conspiracy against President Donald Trump. To understand how Trump’s DOJ came to make its latest move, you have to understand how right-wing media built an alternate reality around Flynn and the Russia investigation over the past several years.
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Fox News pundits and Trump defenders have touted the Justice Department’s move as vindication not only of Flynn but of their own coverage. They’ve demanded that FBI officials suffer consequences for the federal probe.
“This is deep state, the puzzle is complete! They hated the president and they used every opportunity to take him down,” Fox News host Jeanine Pirro said on colleague Tucker Carlson’s prime-time show. Carlson said “there shouldn’t be a debate” about the Flynn case, referring to it as a “setup.” Fox News contributor Sara Carter called the entire investigation a “conspiracy” perpetrated “against the American people,” saying “this is seditious and it’s treasonous and people need to be held accountable.”
Many veteran members of law enforcement don’t see it this way. Greg Brower, the FBI’s former top liaison to Congress who previously served in the Nevada state Senate as a Republican, thinks DOJ’s latest action is “incredibly unusual” and “unprecedented” and said he hadn’t heard of any FBI or DOJ veterans who could think of a similar case. Brower is disappointed that conservative media has pushed the idea that Flynn ― despite twice admitting that he lied to the FBI ― was somehow railroaded.
“They helped create this narrative that was false from its inception, that Flynn was somehow set up and framed by an FBI and then DOJ that deviated from the usual rules and guidelines and had some kind of goal of getting Flynn, and that was never accurate,” Brower told HuffPost. He said the goal of right-wing media “seemed to have been to justify a presidential pardon” for Flynn.
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“The real casualty here is truth,” Brower said. “For many, you know, the truth doesn’t seem to matter. These conspiracy theories kind of take on a life of their own and, for many people, become reality and become truth, even though the facts don’t support it. That’s the reality we’re living in right now.”
When Flynn first pleaded guilty back in December 2017, he was represented by well-respected attorneys from the law firm of Covington & Burling. Matters began to shift last summer when Flynn fired those lawyers and hired Sidney Powell, a former federal prosecutor who had worked cases on the Texas-Mexico border before becoming a defense attorney. She represented executives in the Enron scandal and came to believe that prosecutorial misconduct was a widespread problem at the Justice Department, self-publishing a 2014 book called “Licensed to Lie” that focused on corruption by federal prosecutors.
Powell leaned into a media strategy that painted Flynn as the victim of a plot by the deep state. She sold T-shirts featuring cartoons of various DOJ and FBI officials that labeled them “creeps on a mission.” She appeared regularly in conservative media outlets and campaigned against the Justice Department on Twitter, all while raising cash for Flynn’s legal defense fund.
The Justice Department, no doubt, has a problem being transparent about how it punishes prosecutorial misconduct. Decisions about attorney discipline are handled by a secretive internal office that one former federal prosecutor called a “roach motel.” The DOJ inspector general’s office, which has a more public-facing role, isn’t allowed to investigate instances of prosecutorial misconduct, and DOJ has long resisted calls from its inspectors general to change that practice.
The FBI and the Justice Department also made mistakes in the Russia investigation, as laid out in an inspector general report last year. Anti-Trump text messages exchanged by two FBI employees who worked on both the Hillary Clinton investigation and the Russia probe damaged the FBI’s reputation.
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But the supposed justification for dropping the charges against Flynn ― namely, that internal FBI notes that ponder whether the “goal” of interviewing Flynn was “Truth/admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?” ― don’t exonerate the former national security adviser. DOJ now contends that it can’t prove his lies were material to the investigation, despite the fact that Flynn conceded they were material when he pleaded guilty. It’s all quite unusual ― federal prosecutors are rarely eager to help admitted felons get their charges tossed.
Right-wing media has long tried to make a martyr out of Flynn. Taking a cue from Trump’s continued support of him during special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, pro-Trump outlets reached for any information they could find to potentially vindicate him or at least obscure the facts around his guilty plea. Flynn, along with his son Michael Flynn Jr., had also promoted far-right conspiracy theorists on social media during the 2016 campaign and many of them championed his cause during the investigation.
The FBI documents made public late last month reinvigorated both the Flynn-friendly coverage and appeals for Trump to pardon him. Pro-Trump pundits and allies framed the one particular note as a bombshell revelation that completely exonerated Flynn ― again ignoring that he’d admitted to wrongdoing.
“Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn is, has always been, an innocent man,” Fox News host Sean Hannity said last week, accusing “deep state bureaucrats” of framing him.
On pro-Trump television network Newsmax, host Greg Kelly and the president’s personal lawyer Rudolph Giuliani condemned the case against Flynn as a “sham” and a “travesty.” Right-wing activist Tom Fitton appeared on Fox Business host Lou Dobbs’ show to say that the “abuse of Trump, people like Gen. Flynn and others” was arguably “the worst corruption in the FBI’s history.” Tucker Carlson, who is also an informal Trump adviser, characterized the FBI’s investigation of Flynn as “how the secret police operate in third world dictatorships.”
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Now that Flynn’s case is over, many of those same voices have moved on to demanding consequences for officials who oversaw the Russia investigation and for Obama-era figures who have long been targets of conservative media. Pro-Trump pundits have led a relentless attack on FBI Director Christopher Wray ― who was picked for that job by the president ― calling for him to resign or be fired. Others have suggested some broader conspiracy, with radio host Mark Levin telling Hannity that “this is a massive cover-up of the greatest scandal in American history” and demanding that former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden be questioned.
On Friday, Fox News host Ed Henry said he’d been “tipped off” that Richard Grenell, the acting director of national intelligence, was bringing a briefcase of documents to Attorney General William Barr and claimed there were “people around this case suggesting” that those documents would somehow implicate Obama in the Flynn investigation.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-08--In Private Call, Obama Said The 'Rule Of Law Is At Risk' In Michael Flynn Case

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama , talking privately to former members of his administration , said Friday that the “ rule of law is at risk ” in the wake of what he called an unprecedented move by the Justice Department to drop charges against former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn .
“ The news over the last 24 hours I think has been somewhat downplayed — about the Justice Department dropping charges against Michael Flynn , ” Obama said in a web talk with members of the Obama Alumni Association .
“ And the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find for someone who has been charged with perjury just getting off scot-free .
That ’ s the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic — not just institutional norms — but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk .
And when you start moving in those directions , it can accelerate pretty quickly as we ’ ve seen in other places.
” The Flynn case was invoked by Obama as a principal reason that his former administration officials needed to make sure former Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump .
“ So I am hoping that all of you feel the same sense of urgency that I do , ” he said .
“ Whenever I campaign , I ’ ve always said , ‘ Ah , this is the most important election.
’ Especially obviously when I was on the ballot , that always feels like it 's the most important election .
This one — I ’ m not on the ballot — but I am pretty darn invested .
We got to make this happen.
” Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously pleaded guilty .
He was charged with false statements to the FBI , not perjury .
But the Justice Department , in a filing with a federal judge on Thursday , asked that the case brought by special counsel Robert Mueller be dismissed , arguing that FBI agents did not have a justifiable reason to question the then national security adviser about his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak — talks FBI agents and Mueller ’ s prosecutors concluded he had lied about .
Still , Obama ’ s unvarnished remarks were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration and appeared to forecast a dramatically stepped-up political role he intends to play in this year ’ s election .
The comments came during a lengthy chat in which he also sharply criticized the response to the coronavirus pandemic , blaming it on the “ tribal ” trends that have been stoked by the president and his allies .
“ This election that ’ s coming up on every level is so important because — what we ’ re going to be battling is not just a particular individual or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting against is these long-term trends of being selfish , being tribal , being divided , and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life .
And by the way , we ’ re seeing that internationally as well .
It ’ s part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty .
It would have been bad even with the best of governments .
It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ and ‘ to heck with everybody else ’ —when that mindset is operationalized in our government .
“ That ’ s why , I , by the way , am going to be spending as much time as necessary and campaigning as hard as I can for Joe Biden , ” he added .
Obama ’ s remarks about Flynn seemed especially pointed in light of the fact that the former Army general had served in his administration as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency — until he was forced out by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaotic , insubordinate manager .
During the transition , Obama even warned Trump not to hire Flynn — advice that Trump ignored .
Obama also gave some insights into his life during the pandemic .
The lack of sports , he said , is “ driving me nuts.
” But there was a bright side , he added .
His daughters , Malia and Sasha , “ are stuck having dinner with me ” at home .

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama, talking privately to former members of his administration, said Friday that the “rule of law is at risk” in the wake of what he called an unprecedented move by the Justice Department to drop charges against former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn.
In the same chat, a tape of which was obtained by Yahoo News, Obama also lashed out at the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as “an absolute chaotic disaster.”
“The news over the last 24 hours I think has been somewhat downplayed — about the Justice Department dropping charges against Michael Flynn,” Obama said in a web talk with members of the Obama Alumni Association.
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“And the fact that there is no precedent that anybody can find for someone who has been charged with perjury just getting off scot-free. That’s the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic — not just institutional norms — but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk. And when you start moving in those directions, it can accelerate pretty quickly as we’ve seen in other places.”
The Flynn case was invoked by Obama as a principal reason that his former administration officials needed to make sure former Vice President Joe Biden wins the November election against President Trump. “So I am hoping that all of you feel the same sense of urgency that I do,” he said. “Whenever I campaign, I’ve always said, ‘Ah, this is the most important election.’ Especially obviously when I was on the ballot, that always feels like it's the most important election. This one — I’m not on the ballot — but I am pretty darn invested. We got to make this happen.”
Obama misstated the charge to which Flynn had previously pleaded guilty. He was charged with false statements to the FBI, not perjury. But the Justice Department, in a filing with a federal judge on Thursday, asked that the case brought by special counsel Robert Mueller be dismissed, arguing that FBI agents did not have a justifiable reason to question the then national security adviser about his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak — talks FBI agents and Mueller’s prosecutors concluded he had lied about.
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Still, Obama’s unvarnished remarks were some of his sharpest yet about the Trump administration and appeared to forecast a dramatically stepped-up political role he intends to play in this year’s election. The comments came during a lengthy chat in which he also sharply criticized the response to the coronavirus pandemic, blaming it on the “tribal” trends that have been stoked by the president and his allies.
OLIVIER DOULIERY via Getty Images
“This election that’s coming up on every level is so important because — what we’re going to be battling is not just a particular individual or a political party. What we’re fighting against is these long-term trends of being selfish, being tribal, being divided, and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life. And by the way, we’re seeing that internationally as well. It’s part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty. It would have been bad even with the best of governments. It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’—when that mindset is operationalized in our government.
“That’s why, I, by the way, am going to be spending as much time as necessary and campaigning as hard as I can for Joe Biden,” he added.
Obama’s remarks about Flynn seemed especially pointed in light of the fact that the former Army general had served in his administration as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency — until he was forced out by administration officials who viewed him as a chaotic, insubordinate manager. During the transition, Obama even warned Trump not to hire Flynn — advice that Trump ignored.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-09--Ted Cruz And Joe Scarborough Feud On Twitter Over Donald Trump, Cocktails And Panties

MSNBC ’ s Joe Scarborough traded insults with Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-Texas ) over Twitter on Friday after Scarborough shared a misleading viral video of Vice President Mike Pence that has since been debunked .
Cruz called out “ Morning Joe ” host Scarborough in a tweet , saying it was “ perhaps best not to forward fraudulent stories.
” Hmm .
When you ’ re on the defensive for being dishonest & corrupt , perhaps best not to forward fraudulent stories from Jimmy Kimmel ( that he ’ s admitted were false ) ?
You are claiming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
https : //t.co/tYsgKJGxpR — Ted Cruz ( @ tedcruz ) May 8 , 2020 In response , former GOP congressman Scarborough slammed Cruz for bowing to Donald Trump despite the president ’ s insulting of Cruz ’ s wife during the 2016 election and his spreading of a conspiracy theory involving Cruz ’ s father .
“ Ted , when I make a mistake I admit it , ” he wrote , adding : “ Me messing up a tweet or two will never erase the shame you carry every day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a mistake I admit it .
You remain mired in shame because you kowtow to a man who called your wife ugly and said your daddy assassinated JFK .
Me messing up a tweet or two will never erase the shame you carry every day of your life .
https : //t.co/eJa4qWzqA2 — Joe Scarborough ( @ JoeNBC ) May 8 , 2020 Cruz accused Scarborough of chasing Trump ― who he regularly interviewed ahead of the 2016 election before becoming one of his fiercest critics ― “ for 2 years like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest boy band.
” “ Now you pretend to be this indignant paragon of virtue outraged at everything he says & does , ” Cruz added .
“ All to get invited to DC cocktail parties & thrill the 13 people watching MSNBC.
” Joe , you chased after Trump for 2 years like a teenage girl throwing her panties at the latest boy band ; now you pretend to be this indignant paragon of virtue outraged at everything he says & does .
All to get invited to DC cocktail parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
https : //t.co/XG9P0Bwrbp — Ted Cruz ( @ tedcruz ) May 8 , 2020 “ The difference between you and me is the closer Trump got to power , the more I criticized him , ” he wrote .
“ The closer Trump got to power , the more you sold your soul to him .
You even sold out your own father ’ s name for Trump.
” “ You lose this fight every time .
You sold your soul to Trump .
You .
Lose , ” Scarborough wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third post how he doesn ’ t do cocktail parties .
“ I went to University of Alabama and University of Florida .
You ’ re a Harvard and Princeton boy who spends your life around lobbyists and billionaires , ” he said .
“ You can cut out the man-of-the-people BS .
Nobody believes anything you say.
” Ted , Trump called your wife ugly and said your dad killed JFK .
The difference between you and me is the closer Trump got to power , the more I criticized him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more you sold your soul to him .
You even sold out your own father ’ s name for Trump .
https : //t.co/jx83IE6JQ4 — Joe Scarborough ( @ JoeNBC ) May 8 , 2020 PS .
I don ’ t do cocktail parties .
I went to University of Alabama and University of Florida .
You ’ re a Harvard and Princeton boy who spends your life around lobbyists and billionaires .
You can cut out the man-of-the-people BS .
Nobody believes anything you say .
— Joe Scarborough ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Cruz called out “Morning Joe” host Scarborough in a tweet, saying it was “perhaps best not to forward fraudulent stories.”
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“You are claiming to be a journalist, after all,” he wrote.
Hmm. When you’re on the defensive for being dishonest & corrupt, perhaps best not to forward fraudulent stories from Jimmy Kimmel (that he’s admitted were false)? You are claiming to be a journalist, after all.... https://t.co/tYsgKJGxpR — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 8, 2020
In response, Scarborough, a former GOP congressman, slammed Cruz for bowing to President Donald Trump even though Trump insulted Cruz’s wife during the 2016 election and spread a conspiracy theory involving Cruz’s father.
“Ted, when I make a mistake I admit it,” he wrote, adding: “Me messing up a tweet or two will never erase the shame you carry every day of your life.”
Ted, when I make a mistake I admit it. You remain mired in shame because you kowtow to a man who called your wife ugly and said your daddy assassinated JFK. Me messing up a tweet or two will never erase the shame you carry every day of your life. https://t.co/eJa4qWzqA2 — Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 8, 2020
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Cruz accused Scarborough of chasing Trump ― whom he regularly interviewed ahead of the 2016 election before becoming one of his fiercest critics ― “for 2 years like a teenage girl throwing her panties at the latest boy band.”
“Now you pretend to be this indignant paragon of virtue outraged at everything he says & does,” Cruz added. “All to get invited to DC cocktail parties & thrill the 13 people watching MSNBC.”
Joe, you chased after Trump for 2 years like a teenage girl throwing her panties at the latest boy band; now you pretend to be this indignant paragon of virtue outraged at everything he says & does. All to get invited to DC cocktail parties & thrill the 13 people watching MSNBC. https://t.co/XG9P0Bwrbp — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 8, 2020
Scarborough had the final say.
“The difference between you and me is the closer Trump got to power, the more I criticized him,” he wrote. “The closer Trump got to power, the more you sold your soul to him. You even sold out your own father’s name for Trump.”
“You lose this fight every time. You sold your soul to Trump. You. Lose,” Scarborough wrote in a second tweet, highlighting in a third post how he doesn’t do cocktail parties.
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“I went to University of Alabama and University of Florida. You’re a Harvard and Princeton boy who spends your life around lobbyists and billionaires,” he said. “You can cut out the man-of-the-people BS. Nobody believes anything you say.”
Ted, Trump called your wife ugly and said your dad killed JFK. The difference between you and me is the closer Trump got to power, the more I criticized him. The closer Trump got to power, the more you sold your soul to him. You even sold out your own father’s name for Trump. https://t.co/jx83IE6JQ4 — Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 8, 2020
You lose this fight every time.
You sold your soul to Trump.
You. Lose. — Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 8, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-08--Trump Met With GOP Lawmakers For An Hour. Nobody Wore A Mask Or Stayed Apart.

Evan Vucci/ASSOCIATED PRESS President Donald Trump speaks with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) during a meeting with Republican lawmakers Friday at the White House .
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump hosted nearly 20 House Republicans at the White House on Friday to talk about rebuilding the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic ― and not one of them wore a mask or practiced social distancing .
Photos from the meeting show lawmakers casually mingling and talking in close range in the State Dining Room without masks on before the president arrives , also without a mask .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large table with some space between them , but not the recommended 6 feet .
The press pool reporter in attendance , Brett Samuels of The Hill , noted in his reports that lawmakers ’ temperatures were taken heading into the meeting .
But not having a temperature does not confirm whether someone has the coronavirus .
Every reporter and every photographer in the meeting was wearing a mask , according to Samuels , as was the White House stenographer .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and three other press aides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House staff in the room wore masks .
None of the lawmakers did .
“ Multiple lawmakers had their hands in their faces at various times or wiped their brows or noses with their hands , ” reads the pool report .
“ A few had to pick up the microphones and place them closer before they spoke.
” Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-Texas ) defended the fact that none of them were wearing masks or social distancing .
Per the pool report , he said everyone had been tested already and suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unless it ’ s someone in the media.
” Asked by a reporter about new steps to guard against the coronavirus in the White House , Trump ’ s chief of staff , Mark Meadows , said the White House ” is the safest place you can come to″ and said every member of Congress was tested when they arrived .
But even testing negative for the coronavirus doesn ’ t necessarily mean you don ’ t have it .
The viral test can give false negatives .
In the early stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus won ’ t be detected .
Additionally , a person with COVID-19 can be contagious 48 to 72 hours before feeling symptoms , and emerging research suggests that people may be most likely to spread the virus during this period .
The White House doesn ’ t seem like the safest place to be right now , despite Meadows ’ s claim .
Trump ’ s meeting with GOP lawmakers came on the same day that Vice President Mike Pence ’ s press secretary , Katie Miller , tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday that a personal military valet for Trump ― who comes into close contact with both him and his family and serves him food ― tested positive for the virus .

President Donald Trump speaks with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) during a meeting with Republican lawmakers Friday at the White House. Evan Vucci/ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump hosted nearly 20 House Republicans at the White House on Friday to talk about rebuilding the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic ― and not one of them wore a mask or practiced social distancing.
Photos from the meeting show lawmakers casually mingling and talking in close range in the State Dining Room without masks on before the president arrives, also without a mask. Once he comes in, they sit at a large table with some space between them, but not the recommended 6 feet.
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I am House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and I am invincible! Evan Vucci/ASSOCIATED PRESS
"Hey everyone, let's all breathe in this air together for an hour with no masks on!" Evan Vucci/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Why does this White House meeting in the middle of a pandemic look more like a cocktail hour? Pool via Getty Images
Jared Kushner. My man. Do you really want to stand so close to these guys? Pool via Getty Images
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Here's a view of Trump's meeting with House Republicans. That is not 6 feet of space between each person. Pool via Getty Images
The press pool reporter in attendance, Brett Samuels of The Hill, noted in his reports that lawmakers’ temperatures were taken heading into the meeting. But not having a temperature does not confirm whether someone has the coronavirus.
Every reporter and every photographer in the meeting was wearing a mask, according to Samuels, as was the White House stenographer. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and three other press aides with her were not. Some White House staff in the room wore masks. None of the lawmakers did.
“Multiple lawmakers had their hands in their faces at various times or wiped their brows or noses with their hands,” reads the pool report. “A few had to pick up the microphones and place them closer before they spoke.”
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) defended the fact that none of them were wearing masks or social distancing. Per the pool report, he said everyone had been tested already and suggested nobody in the room had the virus “unless it’s someone in the media.”
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House Republicans in the meeting included Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), Kelly Armstrong (N.D.), Andy Barr (Ky.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Ted Budd (N.C.), Dan Crenshaw (Texas), Warren Davidson (Ohio), Greg Murphy (N.C.), Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Mark Green (Tenn.), Mike Johnson (La.), Jim Jordan (Ohio), Debbie Lesko (Ariz.), Devin Nunes (Calif.), Scott Perry (Pa.), Guy Reschenthaler (Pa.), Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), Lee Zeldin (N.Y.) and Gohmert.
Asked by a reporter about new steps to guard against the coronavirus in the White House, Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, said the White House ”is the safest place you can come to″ and said every member of Congress was tested when they arrived.
But even testing negative for the coronavirus doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have it. The viral test can give false negatives. The Abbott ID NOW test, for example, which the White House uses, may have a false-negative rate as high as nearly 15%.
In the early stages of infection, it is also possible that the virus simply won’t be detected. Additionally, a person with COVID-19 can be contagious 48 to 72 hours before feeling symptoms, and emerging research suggests that people may be most likely to spread the virus during this period.
The White House does not seem like the safest place to be, despite Meadows’s claim. Trump’s meeting with GOP lawmakers came on the same day that Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, tested positive for COVID-19.
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Miller is married to White House senior adviser Stephen Miller.
The White House also confirmed on Thursday that a personal military valet for Trump ― who comes into close contact with both him and his family and serves him food ― tested positive for the virus.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-09--Kayleigh McEnany Gives Head-Spinning Reason For Ripping Trump Before He Was President

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Friday claimed CNN was to blame for her repeated criticism of Donald Trump before he became president .
A montage that CNN aired Friday showed McEnany ripping Trump ’ s rhetoric on immigrants as “ racist , ” calling him a “ showman ” and not a serious candidate in a series of appearances in 2015 .
She then adopted a pro-Trump tone after becoming a contributor for the network .
PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor on Friday asked McEnany during a press briefing if she stood by her past claim that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist.
” “ Well , I ’ m actually glad you asked that , because for about the first four weeks of the election I was watching CNN and I was naively believing some of the headlines that I saw on CNN , ” McEnany replied .
“ I very quickly came around to supporting the president , ” McEnany continued .
“ CNN hired me .
I was on many eight-on-one panels where I proudly supported this president , who I think is one of the best presidents , if not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” McEnany then said she would “ encourage the individual who did that analysis on my past ” to focus on “ some of the very guests CNN chose to have on their network , ” calling out various contributors .
McEnany was then asked if she would walk back her past criticism of Trump .
She did not answer the question , instead replying : “ I support this president , there is no questioning that , I ’ m so honored to work for him.
” Press Sec .
Kayleigh McEnany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who I believe is one of the best Presidents if not the best President this country will ever have . ''
pic.twitter.com/GGVDmnjnuq — The Hill ( @ thehill ) May 8 , 2020 No joke , this is some of the wildest gaslighting I ’ ve seen .
Kayleigh McEnany just blamed CNN for her own 2015 remarks where she called Trump ’ s language racist .
She is essentially saying she was manipulated by CNN.pic.twitter.com/xRK7QYK2Xl — Ahmed Baba ( @ AhmedBaba_ ) May 8 , 2020 Asked about her comments in mid-2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexicans ( reported by @ KFILE ) , McEnany says she made them because she watching CNN for the first month of the election and `` naively believing '' what CNN reported .
( This makes no sense . )
— Daniel Dale ( @ ddale8 ) May 8 , 2020 This is one of the most embarrassing things I ’ ve seen from the press secretary quite possibly in my entire life , and that ’ s saying a lot .
— janey v. ❄ ( @ nycjaneyvee ) May 8 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago and yet now she is capable of being the Press Secretary for the most powerful person in the country ?
— mollyswordmcdonough 🏡 ( @ mollysmcdonough ) May 8 , 2020 1 ) McEnany is attacking a former employer 2 ) She admits she `` naively '' acted on CNN 's coverage , rather than seeking out the truth on her own 3 ) Trump 's comments were readily available on video to anybody who cared to check https : //t.co/4gUSDBk1CK — Aaron Blake ( @ AaronBlake ) May 8 , @

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White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Friday claimed CNN was to blame for her repeated criticism of Donald Trump before he became president.
A montage that CNN aired Friday showed McEnany ripping Trump’s rhetoric on immigrants as “racist,” calling him a “showman” and not a serious candidate in a series of appearances in 2015. She then adopted a pro-Trump tone after becoming a contributor for the network.
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Check out the segment here:
PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor on Friday asked McEnany during a press briefing if she stood by her past claim that Trump’s comments had been “racist.”
“Well, I’m actually glad you asked that, because for about the first four weeks of the election I was watching CNN and I was naively believing some of the headlines that I saw on CNN,” McEnany replied.
“I very quickly came around to supporting the president,” McEnany continued. “CNN hired me. I was on many eight-on-one panels where I proudly supported this president, who I think is one of the best presidents, if not the best president this country will ever have.”
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McEnany then said she would “encourage the individual who did that analysis on my past” to focus on “some of the very guests CNN chose to have on their network,” calling out various contributors.
McEnany was then asked if she would walk back her past criticism of Trump.
She did not answer the question, instead replying: “I support this president, there is no questioning that, I’m so honored to work for him.”
Check out the clip here:
Press Sec. Kayleigh McEnany: "I proudly supported this President who I believe is one of the best Presidents if not the best President this country will ever have." pic.twitter.com/GGVDmnjnuq — The Hill (@thehill) May 8, 2020
Twitter users did not buy McEnany’s explanation, with CNN’s Daniel Dale declaring “this makes no sense.”
No joke, this is some of the wildest gaslighting I’ve seen.
Kayleigh McEnany just blamed CNN for her own 2015 remarks where she called Trump’s language racist. She is essentially saying she was manipulated by CNN.pic.twitter.com/xRK7QYK2Xl — Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) May 8, 2020
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She became so disillusioned with CNN that she ... took a job there? — Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 8, 2020
Press Sec. Kayleigh McEnany: "Here are some words with the cachet of content without the burden of meaning." — Nolan Zugernat (@NolanZugernat) May 8, 2020
Asked about her comments in mid-2015 that Trump had made racist comments about Mexicans (reported by @KFILE), McEnany says she made them because she watching CNN for the first month of the election and "naively believing" what CNN reported. (This makes no sense.) — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) May 8, 2020
This is one of the most embarrassing things I’ve seen from the press secretary quite possibly in my entire life, and that’s saying a lot. — janey v. ❄ (@nycjaneyvee) May 8, 2020
Kayleigh was so naive just 4 years ago and yet now she is capable of being the Press Secretary for the most powerful person in the country? — mollyswordmcdonough 🏡 (@mollysmcdonough) May 8, 2020
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And she said those comments did not have an expiration date. Nor did she answer the question today, she gaslighted. — Kevin MacDermott (@Kevmacd) May 8, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-08--Ousted Vaccine Official, In First Interview, Says U.S. Wasting Time In COVID-19 Fight

Rick Bright , the ousted government scientist who oversaw the federal government ’ s search for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines , fired back on Friday at President Donald Trump dismissing him as “ a disgruntled employee who ’ s trying to help the Democrats win an election ” in November .
“ I am not disgruntled , ” Bright told CBS Evening News host Norah O ’ Donnell in his first interview since losing his job .
Detailing his concerns about the Trump administration ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic , he continued , “ I am frustrated at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustrated at a lack of urgency to get a head start on developing lifesaving tools for Americans .
I ’ m frustrated at our inability to be heard as scientists .
Those things frustrate me.
” Bright , a virologist who served as the director of the Department of Health and Human Services ’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ( BARDA ) , said he believes he lost that job and was given another for sounding the alarm on Trump promoting an unproven COVID-19 treatment ― a belief the Office of Special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ To take me out of our organization focused on drugs and vaccines and diagnostics in the middle of a pandemic , of the worst public health crisis that our country ’ s faced in a century , and decapitate the BARDA organization ... is not responsible , ” Bright said .
“ Didn ’ t make sense.
” Bright filed a whistleblower complaint with the special counsel after he was transferred to a lesser job at the National Institutes of Health late last month .
The treatment Trump touted is hydroxychloroquine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an effective COVID-19 treatment despite no evidence it works .
In a scathing statement Bright made shortly after his dismissal , he said he was under pressure to divert federal funding to the unproven treatment .
Bright also told CBS News that the Trump administration was wasting valuable time it could be using to protect others working to treat patients .
“ We see too many doctors and nurses now dying , ” Bright told O ’ Donnell .
“ And I was thinking that we could have done more to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sooner .
And if we had , would they still be alive today ?
It ’ s a horrible thought to think about the time that passed where we could ’ ve done something and we didn ’ t .
”

Rick Bright, the ousted government scientist who oversaw the federal government’s search for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, fired back on Friday at President Donald Trump dismissing him as “a disgruntled employee who’s trying to help the Democrats win an election” in November.
“I am not disgruntled,” Bright told CBS Evening News host Norah O’Donnell in his first interview since losing his job. Detailing his concerns about the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, he continued, “I am frustrated at a lack of leadership. I am frustrated at a lack of urgency to get a head start on developing lifesaving tools for Americans. I’m frustrated at our inability to be heard as scientists. Those things frustrate me.”
Bright, a virologist who served as the director of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), said he believes he lost that job and was given another for sounding the alarm on Trump promoting an unproven COVID-19 treatment ― a belief the Office of Special Counsel said earlier Friday is warranted.
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“To take me out of our organization focused on drugs and vaccines and diagnostics in the middle of a pandemic, of the worst public health crisis that our country’s faced in a century, and decapitate the BARDA organization ... is not responsible,” Bright said. “Didn’t make sense.”
Bright filed a whistleblower complaint with the special counsel after he was transferred to a lesser job at the National Institutes of Health late last month.
The treatment Trump touted is hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria treatment the president has touted as an effective COVID-19 treatment despite no evidence it works. In a scathing statement Bright made shortly after his dismissal, he said he was under pressure to divert federal funding to the unproven treatment.
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Bright also told CBS News that the Trump administration was wasting valuable time it could be using to protect others working to treat patients.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-08--Nebraska Governor Defends Decision To Hide COVID-19 Stats At Specific Meatpacking Plants

Nebraska ’ s governor on Friday angrily defended his decision to not track COVID-19 cases at specific meatpacking plants that have become contagion hot spots in his state .
Gov .
Pete Ricketts ( R ) did reveal on Thursday that more than 1,000 people in all of the state ’ s meatpacking plants have tested positive .
That ’ s roughly one-sixth of all cases in Nebraska , he said .
He would not , however , provide the numbers at particular plants .
Ricketts ’ s stance comes as the Trump administration is demanding meat processing plants remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most dangerous for COVID-19 infections among workers .
About 10,000 COVID-19 cases have been linked to workers at meatpacking plants across the nation , USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting have found .
At least 45 workers have died .
Ricketts claimed on Wednesday that specific statistics from individual plants are prohibited by the federal law protecting individuals ’ privacy under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act .
But reported COVID-19 cases don ’ t reveal the identities of the people who have tested positive , only the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates at particular plants .
Ricketts ’ s decision was attacked Thursday night by MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow for “ not letting anyone know what ’ s happening ” with specifics infection rates in each of the state ’ s meatpacking plants — or nursing homes or prisons .
Ricketts accused Maddow on Friday of having an “ agenda ” and claimed that his aggregate number of COVID-19 cases at food processing plants is an adequate accounting , the Omaha World-Herald reported .
The governor ’ s spokesperson later tweeted that Maddow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaging in “ totally blind partisan gamesmanship.
” Tracking outbreaks in specific plants helps uncover particular problems at factories that are threatening workers ’ lives — as well as the health of those of the surrounding communities .
Last week an “ incensed ” sheriff in Iowa blasted “ dysfunctional ” Tyson Fresh Meats after 900 workers tested positive for COVID-19 at a plant in Waterloo .
That was 90 % of the cases in Iowa ’ s Black Hawk County .
The Tyson plant in Waterloo reopened Thursday — even as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 1,600 workers at four Iowa meatpacking plants have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Nebraska ’ s testing protocols are suspected of keeping the number of cases in the state artificially low .
Not a single inmate in Nebraska ’ s prisons , for example , has been tested — even though staff members have already tested positive .
The Nebraska Department of Corrections told the World-Herald that no inmates have symptoms that warrant testing .
Even without basement levels of testing , four counties in Nebraska have the fastest growing number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned Ricketts on Thursday : “ This is the kind of thing you go down in the history books for , Gov .
Ricketts .
You ’ re going to be famous for this , long after you ’ re gone .
”

Nebraska’s governor on Friday angrily defended his decision to not track COVID-19 cases at specific meatpacking plants that have become contagion hot spots in his state.
Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) did reveal on Thursday that more than 1,000 people in all of the state’s meatpacking plants have tested positive. That’s roughly one-sixth of all cases in Nebraska, he said. He would not, however, provide the numbers at particular plants.
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Ricketts’s stance comes as the Trump administration is demanding meat processing plants remain open even as they remain among the most dangerous for COVID-19 infections among workers. About 10,000 COVID-19 cases have been linked to workers at meatpacking plants across the nation, USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting have found. At least 45 workers have died.
Ricketts claimed on Wednesday that specific statistics from individual plants are prohibited by the federal law protecting individuals’ privacy under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. But reported COVID-19 cases don’t reveal the identities of the people who have tested positive, only the numbers. And other states have reported infection rates at particular plants.
Ricketts’s decision was attacked Thursday night by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow for “not letting anyone know what’s happening” with specifics infection rates in each of the state’s meatpacking plants — or nursing homes or prisons.
Ricketts accused Maddow on Friday of having an “agenda” and claimed that his aggregate number of COVID-19 cases at food processing plants is an adequate accounting, the Omaha World-Herald reported. The governor’s spokesperson later tweeted that Maddow was spreading “fake news” and engaging in “totally blind partisan gamesmanship.”
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Maddow slammed back:
Hello Gov Ricketts communications person!
2 things:
(1) A thread I commend to your attention: https://t.co/06TweyZTlL
(2) Are you saying Gov Ricketts actually *is* releasing COVID-19 data on individual nursing homes and individual meat processing plants? If so, great! Where? https://t.co/74P5GBGypJ — Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) May 8, 2020
Tracking outbreaks in specific plants helps uncover particular problems at factories that are threatening workers’ lives — as well as the health of those of the surrounding communities.
Last week an “incensed” sheriff in Iowa blasted “dysfunctional” Tyson Fresh Meats after 900 workers tested positive for COVID-19 at a plant in Waterloo. That was 90% of the cases in Iowa’s Black Hawk County.
The Tyson plant in Waterloo reopened Thursday — even as the infection level climbed to 1,000 cases. More than 1,600 workers at four Iowa meatpacking plants have tested positive for COVID-19.
Nebraska’s testing protocols are suspected of keeping the number of cases in the state artificially low. Not a single inmate in Nebraska’s prisons, for example, has been tested — even though staff members have already tested positive. The Nebraska Department of Corrections told the World-Herald that no inmates have symptoms that warrant testing.
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Nebraska has tested a grand total of zero prisoners for coronavirus.https://t.co/r0p9qGV7tc — Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) May 7, 2020
Even without basement levels of testing, four counties in Nebraska have the fastest growing number of cases in the nation.
Maddow warned Ricketts on Thursday: “This is the kind of thing you go down in the history books for, Gov. Ricketts. You’re going to be famous for this, long after you’re gone.”
What’s happening in the meat industry?
1⃣ Giant monopolies control most of the supply
2⃣ So COVID cases are a threat to the entire supply chain
3⃣ Workers aren’t protected, exposing thousands to COVID
4⃣ Trump doesn’t care if workers get sick and die. https://t.co/3MO17r14xX — Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) May 8, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-08--Trump Declares COVID-19 Will Vanish 'Without A Vaccine,' Contradicting Experts

“ I feel about vaccines like I feel about tests .
This is going to go away without a vaccine .
It ’ s gon na go away , and we ’ re not going to see it again , hopefully , after a period of time , ” Trump said at the White House after meeting with Republican members of Congress .
He did admit there might be some “ flare-ups ” before COVID-19 goes away , but “ maybe not , ” and predicted , “ we ’ ll be able to put them out.
” Pressed about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic will vanish without a vaccine , Trump responded : “ I just rely on what doctors say .
They say it ’ s gon na go.
” ( Hear his remarks in the video above . )
Doctors don ’ t say that , however .
Just last month , Trump ’ s top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , said that COVID-19′s spread is “ not going to be over to the point of our being able to not do any mitigation ” — taking precautions such as social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a scientifically sound , safe and effective vaccine.
” Over a week ago , Trump launched “ Operation Warp Speed ” to accelerate the production of a vaccine to fight the virus , and he said himself in a virtual Fox News town hall last Sunday that the nation needs a vaccine .
Although Fauci has said it could take a year to 18 months to develop one , Trump said Sunday that a vaccine could be available by the end of the year , adding : “ The doctors would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t say that.
’ I ’ ll say what I think.
” On Friday , Trump eventually conceded that a vaccine would be “ very helpful , ” but said that “ there are some viruses or flus that came , and they went for a vaccine , and they never found the vaccine.
” “ And they ’ ve disappeared , ” he added , apparently referring to other types of viruses .
“ They never showed up again .
They die , too , like everything else.
” “ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — that doesn ’ t mean this year — doesn ’ t mean it ’ s going to be gone , frankly , by fall or after the fall , ” he said .
“ But eventually it ’ s going to go away.
” The nation could develop “ herd immunity ” without a vaccine if most of the population is exposed to the coronavirus — but that would entail a massive death toll .
Trump later acknowledged the deadly consequences of relying on herd immunity .
“ What I can say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way — if we went ‘ herd , ’ if we just said , ‘ let ’ s wing it ’ — we would ’ ve been talking about numbers [ of dead ] that would ’ ve been unsustainable , ” he said .
TRUMP : `` So many people have died .
That 's the one thing we ca n't do anything about , unfortunately .
What I can say is if we did it the different way -- if we went 'herd , ' if we just said 'let 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been talking about numbers that would 've been unsustainable . ''
pic.twitter.com/4HZpqLdMJT — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) May 8 , 2020 He shared that Katie Miller , the vice president ’ s press secretary who is married to senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller , tested positive for the coronavirus “ out of the blue ” after several negative tests .

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President Donald Trump contradicted his own health experts to tell astonished reporters on Friday that COVID-19 will “go away without a vaccine.”
“I feel about vaccines like I feel about tests. This is going to go away without a vaccine. It’s gonna go away, and we’re not going to see it again, hopefully, after a period of time,” Trump said at the White House after meeting with Republican members of Congress.
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He did admit there might be some “flare-ups” before COVID-19 goes away, but “maybe not,” and predicted, “we’ll be able to put them out.”
Pressed about what evidence he has seen that the pandemic will vanish without a vaccine, Trump responded: “I just rely on what doctors say. They say it’s gonna go.” (Hear his remarks in the video above.)
Doctors don’t say that, however. Just last month, Trump’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said that COVID-19′s spread is “not going to be over to the point of our being able to not do any mitigation” — taking precautions such as social distancing, for instance — “until we have a scientifically sound, safe and effective vaccine.”
The coronavirus has infected at least 1.2 million Americans and killed more than 76,000.
Over a week ago, Trump launched “Operation Warp Speed” to accelerate the production of a vaccine to fight the virus, and he said himself in a virtual Fox News town hall last Sunday that the nation needs a vaccine.
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Although Fauci has said it could take a year to 18 months to develop one, Trump said Sunday that a vaccine could be available by the end of the year, adding: “The doctors would say, ‘Well, you shouldn’t say that.’ I’ll say what I think.”
On Friday, Trump eventually conceded that a vaccine would be “very helpful,” but said that “there are some viruses or flus that came, and they went for a vaccine, and they never found the vaccine.”
“And they’ve disappeared,” he added, apparently referring to other types of viruses. “They never showed up again. They die, too, like everything else.”
“They say it’s going to go — that doesn’t mean this year — doesn’t mean it’s going to be gone, frankly, by fall or after the fall,” he said. “But eventually it’s going to go away.”
The nation could develop “herd immunity” without a vaccine if most of the population is exposed to the coronavirus — but that would entail a massive death toll.
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Trump later acknowledged the deadly consequences of relying on herd immunity. “What I can say is if we did it the different way — if we went ‘herd,’ if we just said, ‘let’s wing it’ — we would’ve been talking about numbers [of dead] that would’ve been unsustainable,” he said.
TRUMP: "So many people have died. That's the one thing we can't do anything about, unfortunately. What I can say is if we did it the different way -- if we went 'herd,' if we just said 'let's wing it' -- we would've been talking about numbers that would've been unsustainable." pic.twitter.com/4HZpqLdMJT — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 8, 2020
At one point Friday, Trump appeared dismissive about coronavirus testing as well.
He shared that Katie Miller, the vice president’s press secretary who is married to senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller, tested positive for the coronavirus “out of the blue” after several negative tests.
“This is why the whole concept of tests aren’t necessarily great,” he concluded. “For some reason, she tested positive.”
True, Mr. President, "for some reason" she tested positive. Would you like to know the reason? Wait for it...
...it's because she has the virus. https://t.co/VZAvQF8gJc — Tim Wise (@timjacobwise) May 8, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-09--Disaster Expert Nails What Trump, Pence Just Aren’t Grasping Amid The Pandemic

An expert in disaster preparedness has accused President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence of failing to grasp the fact that they are role models amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Dr. Irwin Redlener , who leads Columbia University ’ s National Center for Disaster Preparedness , on Friday noted to MSNBC ’ s Nicolle Wallace how some Americans were now ignoring social distancing guidelines aimed at slowing the spread of the contagion that ’ s so far killed more than 77,000 people nationwide .
Redlener suggested they were taking their cues from Trump and Pence .
The White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite advice from public health experts .
Trump has also hyped unproven treatments for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , and said he can ’ t see himself wearing a face mask .
On Friday , he appeared to question the value of widespread testing for the virus , a measure that is widely seen as key in the fight to suppress it .
“ I think a lot of that stems from people saying , ‘ Oh , I just saw the president on TV , he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should be getting back to business , ’ ” said Redlener .
“ I don ’ t think they grasp the impact of what they do and what they say on the American public , ” Redlener continued .
“ Even though his popularity is dropping and his ignorance is showing full-scale , I still think he ’ s the president and he and the vice president are a role model and really , really terrible role models in this horrendous pandemic , unfortunately.
” .
@ IrwinRedlenerMD tells @ NicolleDWallace the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this pandemic .
`` I do n't think they grasp the impact of what they do and what they say on the American public . ''
pic.twitter.com/qoDGLJh7Yq — Deadline White House ( @ DeadlineWH ) May 8 , 2020

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An expert in disaster preparedness has accused President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence of failing to grasp the fact that they are role models amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Irwin Redlener, who leads Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness, on Friday noted to MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace how some Americans were now ignoring social distancing guidelines aimed at slowing the spread of the contagion that’s so far killed more than 77,000 people nationwide.
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Redlener suggested they were taking their cues from Trump and Pence. The White House is pushing to reopen the economy, despite advice from public health experts. Trump has also hyped unproven treatments for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, and said he can’t see himself wearing a face mask. On Friday, he appeared to question the value of widespread testing for the virus, a measure that is widely seen as key in the fight to suppress it.
“I think a lot of that stems from people saying, ‘Oh, I just saw the president on TV, he’s not wearing a mask and he says we should be getting back to business,’” said Redlener.
“I don’t think they grasp the impact of what they do and what they say on the American public,” Redlener continued. “Even though his popularity is dropping and his ignorance is showing full-scale, I still think he’s the president and he and the vice president are a role model and really, really terrible role models in this horrendous pandemic, unfortunately.”
Check out the interview here:
.@IrwinRedlenerMD tells @NicolleDWallace the president and VP are terrible role models in this pandemic.
"I don't think they grasp the impact of what they do and what they say on the American public." pic.twitter.com/qoDGLJh7Yq — Deadline White House (@DeadlineWH) May 8, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-09--Chris Hayes Gives Donald Trump The Lesson He Needs On Coronavirus Testing

MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes on Friday slammed Donald Trump ’ s latest questioning of the value of testing for the coronavirus , suggesting the president “ maybe just literally doesn ’ t understand ” how it works .
Trump had earlier confusingly claimed the diagnosis of Katie Miller , a press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence , with COVID-19 ( the disease caused by the virus ) showed “ why the whole concept of tests aren ’ t necessarily great.
” The president noted how Miller , the wife of senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller , had “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump then pondered over how “ the tests are perfect but something can happen between a test where it ’ s good and then something happens and all of a sudden ... she was tested very recently and tested negative and then today , I guess , for some reason she tested positive.
” Trump : Katie , she tested very good for a long period of time and then all of the sudden today she tested positive ...
This is why the whole concept of tests aren ’ t necessarily great pic.twitter.com/iM9Xo3jddU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 8 , 2020 “ First of all , she ’ s not a student who is like studying and getting good grades and then like had a bad test , ” he said .
“ That ’ s not what you ’ re talking about.
” “ It ’ s the virus .
It ’ s the presence or absence of the virus , ” Hayes added .
“ You can test negative and then later test positive because between those two , you get the virus.
” “ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this , ” he concluded .
“ What do you think we ’ re all doing here ?
” The U.S. has more confirmed cases ( 1.3 million ) than any other country in the world .
In the number of tests carried out as a percentage of the population , however , it stands in around 40th place worldwide .
The World Health Organization and public health officials have repeatedly stated that widespread testing for the virus , and tracing those who have come into contact with people who test positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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MSNBC’s Chris Hayes on Friday slammed Donald Trump for again questioning of the value of testing for the coronavirus, suggesting the president “maybe just literally doesn’t understand” how it works.
Earlier Friday, Trump had confusingly claimed that the COVID-19 diagnosis of Katie Miller, a press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence, showed “why the whole concept of tests aren’t necessarily great.”
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The president noted how Miller, the wife of senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller, had “tested positive out of the blue.”
Trump then pondered how “the tests are perfect but something can happen between a test where it’s good and then something happens and all of a sudden ... she was tested very recently and tested negative and then today, I guess, for some reason she tested positive.”
Check out Trump’s comments here:
Trump: Katie, she tested very good for a long period of time and then all of the sudden today she tested positive... This is why the whole concept of tests aren’t necessarily great pic.twitter.com/iM9Xo3jddU — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) May 8, 2020
A visibly exasperated Hayes rebuked Trump over his claims.
“First of all, she’s not a student who is studying and getting good grades and then had a bad test,” he said. “That’s not what you’re talking about.”
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“It’s the virus. It’s the presence or absence of the virus,” Hayes added. “You can test negative and then later test positive because between those two, you get the virus.”
“That’s how the whole thing works. All of this,” he concluded. “What do you think we’re all doing here?”
The nationwide death toll from the virus now stands upwards of 78,000.
The U.S. has more confirmed cases (1.3 million) than any other country in the world. As far as the number of tests carried out as a percentage of the population, however, it stands at around 40th place worldwide.
The World Health Organization and public health officials have repeatedly stated that widespread testing for the virus, and tracing those who have come into contact with people who test positive, is critical to slowing its spread.
Check out the segment here:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-08--DHS Document Reveals 11 Secret Service Agents Currently Have Coronavirus

In March , the Secret Service , which is responsible for the protection of President Trump and other leaders , acknowledged that a single employee tested positive in March .
However the problem is currently far more widespread , with 11 active cases at the agency as of Thursday evening , according to a daily report compiled by the DHS .
“ To protect the privacy of our employee ’ s health information and for operational security , the Secret Service is not releasing how many of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19 , nor how many of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantined , ” Justine Whelan , a Secret Service spokesperson , said .
Whelan said the Secret Service is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control , but she declined to comment on how many of the Secret Service employees who have tested positive for the coronavirus worked at the White House complex .
“ Since the beginning of this pandemic , the Secret Service has been working with all of our public safety partners and the White House Medical Unit to ensure the safety and security of both our protected persons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Secret Service continues to follow guidance issued by the CDC to ensure the health and welfare of our employees and those they come in contact with.
” On Monday , Yahoo News reported that there are regularly held large events with unmasked attendees in close quarters at the White House — including inside the Oval Office , which is the president ’ s inner sanctum .
Many Secret Service employees on the White House grounds are among those who are not wearing masks .
The agency did not respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing masks or whether personal protective equipment is being provided to members of the Secret Service who request it .
Pence and Trump have also regularly opted not to wear masks .
While temperature checks were being administered to everyone entering the White House complex , not everyone who entered the Oval Office with the president was given a test .
On multiple occasions last week , reporters were brought into the Oval Office without being given tests or being required to wear masks .
“ Having worked in the White House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that come in and out of there , and they touch things , ” said Patel , a Yahoo News health contributor .
“ So , unless you are literally testing every individual and then following up … even with wiping down those surfaces every night , it ’ s not foolproof.
” In the days since that report , multiple COVID-19 cases have been confirmed within Trump ’ s inner circle .
On Thursday , news broke that one of Trump ’ s military valets tested positive .
According to CNBC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the president , including serving meals and helping him with his clothes and other personal needs.
” The White House declined to comment on whether Stephen Miller had tested negative or was being quarantined .
Deere , the deputy press secretary , provided a new statement saying , “ The President ’ s physician and White House Operations continue to work closely to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the President , First Family and the entire White House Complex safe and healthy at all times.
” Yet even after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration staff , not everyone who gets in a room with the president is being tested .
The press that covered the event where Trump discussed Miller ’ s diagnosis was brought into the State Dining Room without being given tests .
One of the untested reporters asked Trump for a reaction to the fact the virus is apparently spreading inside the White House , which is ostensibly one of the safest places in the country .

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WASHINGTON — Multiple members of the U.S. Secret Service have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, according to Department of Homeland Security documents reviewed by Yahoo News.
In March, the Secret Service, which is responsible for the protection of President Trump and other leaders, acknowledged that a single employee tested positive in March. However the problem is currently far more widespread, with 11 active cases at the agency as of Thursday evening, according to a daily report compiled by the DHS.
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This report comes as a pair of cases among White House staffers close to Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have put the West Wing’s coronavirus security procedures in the spotlight.
According to the DHS document, along with the 11 active cases there are 23 members of the Secret Service who have recovered from COVID-19 and an additional 60 employees who are self-quarantining.
No details have been provided about which members of the Secret Service are infected or if any have recently been on detail with the president or vice president.
The DHS, which oversees the agency, referred all requests for comment to the Secret Service, which in turn declined to comment on the number of coronavirus cases among its employees.
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“To protect the privacy of our employee’s health information and for operational security, the Secret Service is not releasing how many of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19, nor how many of its employees were, or currently are, quarantined,” Justine Whelan, a Secret Service spokesperson, said.
While the Secret Service is best known for providing security to the president and vice president, it also protects other leaders, including presidential candidates, former presidents, and visiting dignitaries. The Secret Service also conducts investigations, including most recently, scams involving the coronavirus.
Whelan said the Secret Service is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, but she declined to comment on how many of the Secret Service employees who have tested positive for the coronavirus worked at the White House complex.
“Since the beginning of this pandemic, the Secret Service has been working with all of our public safety partners and the White House Medical Unit to ensure the safety and security of both our protected persons and our employees,” Whelan said. “The Secret Service continues to follow guidance issued by the CDC to ensure the health and welfare of our employees and those they come in contact with.”
However, the coronavirus measures at the White House complex, which includes both Trump and Pence’s offices, have not necessarily followed the guidelines from the CDC or the president’s own coronavirus task force.
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Those guidelines include staying 6 feet away from other people, avoiding large gatherings and wearing masks or other face coverings.
On Monday, Yahoo News reported that there are regularly held large events with unmasked attendees in close quarters at the White House — including inside the Oval Office, which is the president’s inner sanctum. Many Secret Service employees on the White House grounds are among those who are not wearing masks. The agency did not respond to questions about why its employees are not wearing masks or whether personal protective equipment is being provided to members of the Secret Service who request it. Pence and Trump have also regularly opted not to wear masks.
White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere responded to questions about coronavirus protocols in the West Wing last week by saying, “Those in close proximity to the president and vice president are being tested for COVID-19.”
“Temperature checks are occurring for all those entering the complex as well as an additional temperature check for those in close proximity to the president and vice president,” Deere said.
While temperature checks were being administered to everyone entering the White House complex, not everyone who entered the Oval Office with the president was given a test. On multiple occasions last week, reporters were brought into the Oval Office without being given tests or being required to wear masks.
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Dr. Kavita Patel, a primary care physician who worked in the Obama administration as director of policy for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, said she believes the partial testing for those in the White House complex is not sufficient.
“Having worked in the White House, there’s a ton of people that come in and out of there, and they touch things,” said Patel, a Yahoo News health contributor. “So, unless you are literally testing every individual and then following up … even with wiping down those surfaces every night, it’s not foolproof.”
In the days since that report, multiple COVID-19 cases have been confirmed within Trump’s inner circle. On Thursday, news broke that one of Trump’s military valets tested positive. According to CNBC, the valet “had very close contact with the president, including serving meals and helping him with his clothes and other personal needs.”
After the news emerged about his valet, Trump told reporters that the White House had only been testing on a weekly basis and would increase the number of tests given to key staffers.
“So we test once a week. Now we’re going to go testing once a day, but even when you test once a day, somebody could — something happens where they catch something,” Trump said.
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On Friday, another top staffer tested positive for the coronavirus. Speaking at a meeting with Republican lawmakers in the White House State Dining Room, Trump indicated the staffer was Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller.
“She’s a wonderful young woman, Katie,” Trump said. “She tested very good for a long period of time and, all of a sudden today, she tested positive. She hasn’t come into contact with me.”
Miller is the wife of Stephen Miller, who is one of the president’s closest advisers. The Millers did not respond to requests for comment.
The White House declined to comment on whether Stephen Miller had tested negative or was being quarantined. Deere, the deputy press secretary, provided a new statement saying, “The President’s physician and White House Operations continue to work closely to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the President, First Family and the entire White House Complex safe and healthy at all times.”
“In addition to social distancing, daily temperature checks and symptom histories, hand sanitizer, and regular deep cleaning of all work spaces, every staff member in close proximity to the president and vice president is being tested daily for COVID-19 as well as any guests,” Deere said.
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Yet even after the pair of coronavirus cases among the Trump administration staff, not everyone who gets in a room with the president is being tested. The press that covered the event where Trump discussed Miller’s diagnosis was brought into the State Dining Room without being given tests. One of the untested reporters asked Trump for a reaction to the fact the virus is apparently spreading inside the White House, which is ostensibly one of the safest places in the country.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-09--'We’ll Lose Everything’: Many Stuck In Maddening Unemployment Claim Limbo

“ The reality is that all of us are living in this heightened state of anxiety right now , not @ @ @ @ @ contracting COVID but also from the general disruption to our lives , ” Torres said @ @ @ @ @ the additional stressor of job loss and the uncertainty about whether the benefits are going @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s further going to exacerbate the person ’ s level of anxiety.
” @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t Give Up ’

Illustration by Isabella Carapella / HuffPost; Photo: Getty Images
Elise Rodriguez, 51, has made her own way for as long as she can remember. A single mother of three, she’s worked long hours over the years to put food on the table and to be an example of perseverance and resolve for her kids.
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But like millions of other Americans, the rug was pulled out from under her feet in March when she was laid off from her job as an office manager due to the coronavirus pandemic. Rodriguez was stressed, but she knew the unemployment insurance she was entitled to as a taxpayer would help ease the financial burden.
What she didn’t expect was weeks of mental anguish caused by not knowing if or when she would ever receive those benefits. The hundreds of calls she would make to New York’s labor department each day in hopes of getting an update on her case. An outdated and overwhelmed system without answers. The exhausting oscillation between guarded optimism and hopelessness.
It’s been more than five weeks since Rodriguez filed her initial claim and she said she hasn’t received a dime from New York state.
“I haven’t paid the rent. I haven’t paid the car insurance. I haven’t paid my cellphone bill,” Rodriguez said. “We’re used to being self-sufficient. And I feel like our dignity is really suffering, that sense of self-worth.”
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“It’s very frustrating because you’re at the mercy of another organization and it’s beyond your control,” she added. “I’ve always been very independent. These circumstances, it really breaks you down.”
Elise Rodriguez lost her job as an office manager because of the coronavirus crisis. She said it's been more than five weeks since she filed for unemployment in New York, and still hasn't received a check. Courtesy of Elise Rodriguez
HuffPost heard from dozens of Americans across the country ― from California to Florida, New Jersey to Michigan ― who described the same maddening process of trying to get unemployment benefits during the pandemic.
Many struggled to reach the unemployment offices to get answers. Some emailed local lawmakers for help. All of them are being let down by a system meant to support them at a time when they need it most.
Marco Nieves, a 36-year-old dog groomer in Brooklyn, has likened the busy signals and automated prompts that lead nowhere to “mental abuse.”
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“It’s exhausting,” said Nieves, who’s been out of work for nearly six weeks. “There’s all these walls and errors. ... I feel paralyzed and frightened because there’s no timeline.”
“I’m at the point where I just don’t know what to do,” said Nikia Davis, 33, who was laid off from her job as a clinical assistant at a mental health center in Wisconsin in late March. “There’s a lot of uncertainty and money is just like dwindling.”
System Overload
More than 33 million Americans have filed jobless claims since mid-March, marking a surge of unemployment this country hasn’t seen since the Great Depression. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted in late March boosted benefits by $600 per week, lengthened their duration by 13 weeks, and also extended eligibility to those who don’t typically qualify for traditional unemployment benefits, including people who are self-employed or are seeking part-time jobs.
But some state’s labor departments, which may be understaffed and rely on antiquated software, have struggled to update their systems and respond to the crush of new claims.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Labor Department acknowledged in a statement Friday that “some claimants have faced challenges in getting their claims filed” due to the surge in claims, and noted that each state has its own process for handling requests.
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To help with these issues at state unemployment offices, the Department of Labor has distributed more than $800 million in emergency funding and is providing guidance and support, the spokesperson said.
“States are working tirelessly to identify solutions to improve their capacity to manage the increased volume of claims,” the spokesperson said. All 50 states began distributing the extra $600 last week, the spokesperson said.
Arnashia McCain uses her phone to copy phone numbers posted on the locked doors of a Georgia Department of Labor office, May 7 in Norcross, Georgia. McCain, who said she drives for Lyft and has had her hours cut in her job in retail, has been unable check on the status of her her unemployment claim. ASSOCIATED PRESS
But 19 states are still not sending out benefits to newly eligible categories of workers, according to the Labor Department’s latest figures. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), a member of the Senate committee that oversees unemployment insurance, told reporters Thursday that Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia should be on the phone to states every day asking how to help.
“The secretary has a bully pulpit and he sure as heck isn’t using it,” Wyden said.
Along with unemployment benefits, the CARES Act devoted $290 billion for federal economic stimulus checks to be paid out directly to households. Depending on their income, Americans could receive up to $1,200 as well as an additional $500 per dependent child under 17 years old.
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Americans started to receive stimulus payments in mid-April, which have reached 130 million households so far. Rodriguez said she finally received hers this week. She isn’t sure whether to pay bills with it now or stow it away in case she needs it for provisions in the future.
“I don’t know how much longer I’m going to have wait for unemployment,” she said. “Do I hoard it because I don’t know what’s going to happen?”
Like Rodriguez, who was essentially living paycheck-to-paycheck before the pandemic, Jessica Rummage in Kentucky has nearly depleted her savings while waiting for her unemployment benefits to come through.
Rummage, 39, said she’s rarely able to connect with anyone from her state’s labor department, but receives conflicting information when she does. She hasn’t had any income since she was laid off from her job at the end of March.
“The anxiety in our home is through the roof,” she said. “We’re rationing things like bread and eggs and pasta and toilet paper.”
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Rummage has been living with her 18-year-old son, who was also laid off from his job amid the pandemic, and her parents. She worries about her dad, who is 66 years old, diabetic and suffering from prostate cancer.
“He has hospital bills,” Rummage said. “Time is running out for us. Our savings can only go so far.”
“I had to go get SNAP benefits so we don’t starve,” she added, referring to the federal nutritional assistance program.
‘Heightened State Of Anxiety’
Jesse Baylis, a 34-year-old living on Long Island, said the stress of losing his retail job, receiving no unemployment checks and being late on bills all while homeschooling his two young sons has been monumental.
“My mental health has taken a huge turn for the worse,” he said. “It wouldn’t be so hard if I would actually get the unemployment I was approved for. I feel as if I am at the edge of a ledge and I’m never going to take that step back and be able to provide for my family.”
The mental health impacts on a person experiencing job loss and uncertainty over unemployment benefits could be significant, said Dr. Felix Torres, special adviser to the American Psychiatric Association on the United Nations.
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“The reality is that all of us are living in this heightened state of anxiety right now, not only from the fear of contracting COVID but also from the general disruption to our lives,” Torres said. “Add to that the additional stressor of job loss and the uncertainty about whether the benefits are going to come in, then that’s further going to exacerbate the person’s level of anxiety.”
A sign at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission offices in Oklahoma City states the offices are closed due to the coronavirus in an April photo. ASSOCIATED PRESS
People should be mindful of the symptoms of depression and anxiety, which can include irritability, feelings of sadness or detachment, poor appetite and trouble falling asleep.
“We need to look at those symptoms, which can surface rather quickly or that can sort of be underneath the surface and insidiously pop back up,” Torres said.
Michaela Gates, 40, in Oklahoma said she hasn’t been able to sleep more than two or three hours a night since being laid off from her job in early March. Her husband, who works in the oil and gas industry, has been furloughed.
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She struggled to make progress with her claim despite repeated calls to the unemployment office, and tweets and emails to local representatives and labor department officials.
“I’m worried that we won’t be able to keep a roof over our children’s head and that we will lose everything,” said Gates, who has six children ― four of whom still live at home.
“We have jumped through hoops for weeks,” she said Wednesday. “It’s mentally draining.”
Facebook Groups Offer Support
Desperate for answers and support, people have turned to Facebook groups.
Dial 9 to go straight to an operator, one person advises. Call as soon as the labor department opens, another recommends. Call your local representatives. Tweet at the unemployment office. The list of advice goes on.
Several people told HuffPost that both the tips and the sense of camaraderie they’ve received from the groups has been helpful. But the desperation from some group members can be worrisome and upsetting.
“I swear to GOD that I’m going to snap! They don’t release payments. They don’t answer email. It’s impossible to even get into the queue because the system disconnects your call,” wrote one Facebook user in New York. “I’m almost out of money.”
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Hew Kowalewski, a furloughed employee of Disney World, stands next to window of his home April 13, in Kissimmee, Florida. Many of Florida's jobless have reported problems filing applications for unemployment benefits. ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Within minutes of waking up this morning out of nowhere I just broke down and started crying,” wrote a Facebook user from Florida. “I am so overwhelmed by this whole thing. I am a single income household and besides the stimulus I haven’t seen a dime. ... I’m usually able to stay strong minded but I feel myself breaking.”
What’s more, some members of the Facebook groups worry they’re being preyed upon by scammers. One woman in New York told HuffPost she believes someone called her pretending to be from the labor department. The caller referenced her comment in the Facebook group and then asked for her social security number.
Actual Labor Department representatives will verify a few things to prove their legitimacy, including the date you filed your unemployment claim and the type of claim you filed. But the woman said the caller never did that.
‘Just Keep Going And Don’t Give Up’
Claimants who have received their benefits after weeks of waiting compare it to winning the lottery. For seemingly no rhyme or reason, after endless phone calls and website refreshes, their claim is suddenly approved.
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On Thursday morning, Gates was pleasantly surprised to find a portion of her pandemic assistance had finally been approved in the system. She’s hopeful the money will be available in her bank account within the next few days. But she worries it won’t be, given everything she’s been through.
Her focus now is on all the other people who are still desperately seeking answers. Her sleepless nights are often spent trying to find resources for other people going through the same thing.
“You just keep going and don’t give up,” Gates said. “I was not going to give up and I’m still not going to give up until I figure out if everybody here is getting what they need.”
Arthur Delaney contributed reporting.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-09--Ocasio-Cortez Hits GOP Critic Of Her 'Animal Crossing' Gaming With Question About Trump

DeAnna Lorraine , who this year launched a failed run for the seat of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) , took exception to Ocasio-Cortez ’ s Thursday afternoon/evening foray into the virtual world during which she “ visited ” supporters .
“ Are you kidding me ?
We ’ re paying you to play Animal Crossing ?
OMG , ” tweeted Lorraine .
Ocasio-Cortez fired back with a query about the cost of President Donald Trump ’ s golfing trips .
According to a HuffPost analysis , they had burdened taxpayers with an estimated $ 133.8 million bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the couple hours that Ocasio-Cortez appeared to spend gaming with supporters , meanwhile , is unknown .
The lawmaker did not respond to Lorraine ’ s later claim that “ every president plays golf ” or her suggestion that she “ go be his caddy sometimes.
” Every President plays golf .
Most of his golf outings are with other leaders and he 's taking care of business simultaneously .
Perhaps you should go be his caddy sometimes and you could gain some knowledge for the first time in your life ?
https @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeAnna4Congress ) May 8 , 2020 Ocasio-Cortez announced her imminent venture into the online world on Thursday afternoon .
She opened the direct message function on Twitter for four minutes so that other players could send the so-called Dodo Code needed to invite her to their islands in the game .
Check out how the visits went down via the thread below : Hi there !
Very new to this .
I would like to visit random people ’ s islands and leave a doodle or note on their bulletin board .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how ?
Should I open my DMs for the first time since the Zuckerberg hearing for the Dodo codes ?
?
https : //t.co/pQlm0ES1cM — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) May 7 , 2020 Ok I am going to open my DMs for exactly 4 minutes for Dodo code submission .
Why 4 ?
Who knows .
Here we go !
pic.twitter.com/ZWgivtpILS — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) May 7 , 2020 Honestly never in my life did I think opening my DMs would grant me faith in humanity but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of these messages being very wholesome 😭 People are asking for surprise visits to their spouse ’ s islands !
!
This is the love everyone deserves 💕 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) May 7 , 2020 Update : getting ready to make island visits .
Never done this before !
Is there etiquette to visiting ?
Do ’ s & don ’ ts ?
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) May 7 , 2020 Update 2 : first ever House call ( get it ?
😉 ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Island belonged to a family of three .
We exchanged fruit , took pictures , and I signed a bulletin note using my touch screen .
I was floored by how fast they typed and they taught me about the app .
🥰 pic.twitter.com/KJsI6Gjh9p — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) May 7 , 2020 UPDATE 3 : Okay !
After a few visits earlier I am reopening for a few more # AOCHouseCalls🏡 .
DMs are opening again for 4 minutes , drop me your Dodo code and a note and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is a hand drawn campaign shirt & no I haven ’ t sorted out exporting screenshots yet 😬 ) pic.twitter.com/K7Idxnj09W — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) May 8 , 2020

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“Are you kidding me? We’re paying you to play Animal Crossing? OMG,” tweeted Lorraine.
Are you kidding me? We're paying you to play Animal Crossing? OMG. — DeAnna Lorraine 🇺🇸 (@DeAnna4Congress) May 7, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez fired back with a query about the cost of President Donald Trump’s golfing trips. According to a HuffPost analysis, they had burdened taxpayers with an estimated $133.8 million bill as of February.
Curious for your thoughts on Trump’s golf bills — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 8, 2020
The cost of the couple hours that Ocasio-Cortez appeared to spend gaming with supporters, meanwhile, is unknown.
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The lawmaker did not respond to Lorraine’s later claim that “every president plays golf” or her suggestion that she “go be his caddy sometimes.”
Every President plays golf.
Most of his golf outings are with other leaders and he's taking care of business simultaneously.
Perhaps you should go be his caddy sometimes and you could gain some knowledge for the first time in your life? https://t.co/lUF61L6M7M — DeAnna Lorraine 🇺🇸 (@DeAnna4Congress) May 8, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez announced her imminent venture into the online world on Thursday afternoon. She opened the direct message function on Twitter for four minutes so that other players could send the so-called Dodo Code needed to invite her to their islands in the game.
Check out how the visits went down via the thread below:
Hi there! Very new to this.
I would like to visit random people’s islands and leave a doodle or note on their bulletin board.
Can I do that? If so, how?
Should I open my DMs for the first time since the Zuckerberg hearing for the Dodo codes?? https://t.co/pQlm0ES1cM — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 7, 2020
Ok I am going to open my DMs for exactly 4 minutes for Dodo code submission. Why 4? Who knows. Here we go! pic.twitter.com/ZWgivtpILS — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 7, 2020
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Honestly never in my life did I think opening my DMs would grant me faith in humanity but the brief window actually resulted in a lot of these messages being very wholesome 😭
People are asking for surprise visits to their spouse’s islands!! This is the love everyone deserves 💕 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 7, 2020
Update: getting ready to make island visits. Never done this before! Is there etiquette to visiting? Do’s & don’ts? — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 7, 2020
Update 2: first ever House call (get it?😉) in the books!
It was so sweet. Island belonged to a family of three. We exchanged fruit, took pictures, and I signed a bulletin note using my touch screen.
I was floored by how fast they typed and they taught me about the app. 🥰 pic.twitter.com/KJsI6Gjh9p — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 7, 2020
UPDATE 3: Okay! After a few visits earlier I am reopening for a few more #AOCHouseCalls🏡.
DMs are opening again for 4 minutes, drop me your Dodo code and a note and I may stop by!
(Yes that is a hand drawn campaign shirt & no I haven’t sorted out exporting screenshots yet 😬) pic.twitter.com/K7Idxnj09W — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 8, 2020