thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Honking Truckers Were Showing Trump 'Love,' President Claims At Briefing. No, They Weren't.

As the sound of nearby honking trucks disrupted Donald Trump ’ s press briefing Friday in the White House Rose Garden , he claimed they were “ protesting in favor of President Trump.
” Drivers in trucks lined up on Constitution Avenue were blasting their air horns to protest plunging shipping rates amid the COVID-19 crisis .
They ’ re demanding aid from the federal government to keep working and continue moving goods .
The truckers ’ honking could clearly be heard as Trump was boasting about U.S. military strength ( later , in the Oval Office , he touted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You hear that outside , that beautiful sound ?
Those are truckers who are with us all the way , ” Trump suddenly added .
( Check out the video above . )
“ They are protesting in favor of President Trump , as opposed to against us , ” Trump added .
“ That ’ s the sign of love .
Not the sign of your difficult protests .
Our great truckers ... .
They like me , and I like them.
” Truck drivers have been protesting plunging shipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cities .
Freight brokers are lowering shipping rates even as drivers ’ risk increases during the pandemic .
Some rates are at a 10-year low , reports Business Insider .
One trucker told the news outlet that a run from North Carolina to Los Angeles now pays him $ 2,700 , down from $ 4,700 just two months ago .
The $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus package that Trump signed into law in March did not include targeted support for the trucking industry .
And several truck operators have complained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paycheck Protection Program run by the Small Business Administration .
“ The American truck driver needs help , and we need it now , ” a New Jersey trucker complained to The Washington Post during a demonstration in the capital early this month .
Trump made similar claims about how much truckers love him on Thursday when truckers ’ air horns could be heard during an interview outside the White House with Fox Business Network ’ s Maria Bartiromo .
When Bartiromo referred to the truckers as protesters , Trump replied : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They ’ re supporters of me because we are getting things for the truckers ... they are really thankful that I ’ m president , frankly.
” Here ’ s a pic of the protesting , honking truckers you can hear during this Rose Garden presser .
They are parked along Constitution .
( Took this pic on my way home last night . )
pic.twitter.com/sNZloRxR5T — Geoff Bennett ( @ GeoffRBennett ) May 15 , 2020

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As the sound of nearby honking trucks disrupted Donald Trump’s press briefing Friday in the White House Rose Garden, he claimed they were “protesting in favor of President Trump.”
No, they weren’t.
Drivers in trucks lined up on Constitution Avenue were blasting their air horns to protest plunging shipping rates amid the COVID-19 crisis. They’re demanding aid from the federal government to keep working and continue moving goods.
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The truckers’ honking could clearly be heard as Trump was boasting about U.S. military strength (later, in the Oval Office, he touted a new “super-duper missile”).
“You hear that outside, that beautiful sound? Those are truckers who are with us all the way,” Trump suddenly added. (Check out the video above.)
“They are protesting in favor of President Trump, as opposed to against us,” Trump added. “That’s the sign of love. Not the sign of your difficult protests. Our great truckers .... They like me, and I like them.”
Truck drivers have been protesting plunging shipping rates since mid-April in demonstrations in a number of cities. Freight brokers are lowering shipping rates even as drivers’ risk increases during the pandemic. Some rates are at a 10-year low, reports Business Insider. One trucker told the news outlet that a run from North Carolina to Los Angeles now pays him $2,700, down from $4,700 just two months ago.
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The $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus package that Trump signed into law in March did not include targeted support for the trucking industry. And several truck operators have complained about the difficulty getting loans from the Paycheck Protection Program run by the Small Business Administration.
“The American truck driver needs help, and we need it now,” a New Jersey trucker complained to The Washington Post during a demonstration in the capital early this month.
Trump made similar claims about how much truckers love him on Thursday when truckers’ air horns could be heard during an interview outside the White House with Fox Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo.
When Bartiromo referred to the truckers as protesters, Trump replied: “Well, they’re not protesters. They’re supporters of me because we are getting things for the truckers ... they are really thankful that I’m president, frankly.”
He also insisted: “They love their president.”
Here’s a pic of the protesting, honking truckers you can hear during this Rose Garden presser. They are parked along Constitution. (Took this pic on my way home last night.) pic.twitter.com/sNZloRxR5T — Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) May 15, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Chris Hayes Points Out The Glaring Flaw With Trump Base’s Anti-Coronavirus Mask Stance

Chris Hayes on Friday dropped some truth bombs on President Donald Trump , his supporters and the right-wingers who continue to pour scorn on wearing face masks that aim to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The host of MSNBC ’ s “ All In ” noted how “ not wearing a mask has kind of become a sort of weird , culture war virtue signaling by Trump people.
” Trump himself has not worn a mask during recent briefings and tours of factories .
GOP lawmakers and anti-lockdown protesters have also failed to wear them .
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who he noted are “ very much in the minority ” ) in fact appear to be obliviously working against their stated desire to ease lockdown restrictions and reopen the country .
He spelled out why there is “ nothing stupider ” they can do : But for Donald Trump ’ s own stated aims , for the stated aims of those protesters , and all the right-wingers out there who think they ’ re the ones , the vanguard of opening up America and getting American capitalism cracking again , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can do than turn not wearing a mask into some right-wing badge of honor .
“ The mask is your friend , ” Hayes continued .
“ If the stated goal here is to open up the American economy and get people back to work and achieve some level of normalcy , something we all desperately want , there is really good evidence that everyone wearing a mask can really help us in that project.
” Hayes acknowledged he doesn ’ t like wearing a mask because it fogs up his glasses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does it for the bigger picture , ” he said .
“ We are facing a pandemic that has ravaged everyone ’ s life , ” Hayes concluded .
“ The easiest , lowest hanging fruit to make things at least somewhat better , the smallest , most trivial thing is : let ’ s all wear masks.
” On its website , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends “ wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain ” and “ especially in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 88,000 people in the U.S. have now died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said Friday that the nationwide death toll could hit 100,000 by June 1 .
Trump , meanwhile , continues to push for the reopening of the country , despite case numbers still rising and against the advice of public health officials .

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Chris Hayes on Friday dropped some truth bombs on President Donald Trump, his supporters and the right-wingers who continue to pour scorn on wearing face masks that aim to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The host of MSNBC’s “All In” noted how “not wearing a mask has kind of become a sort of weird, culture war virtue signaling by Trump people.” Trump himself has not worn a mask during recent briefings and tours of factories. GOP lawmakers and anti-lockdown protesters have also failed to wear them.
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But, Hayes explained, the anti-mask brigade (who he noted are “very much in the minority”) in fact appear to be obliviously working against their stated desire to ease lockdown restrictions and reopen the country.
He spelled out why there is “nothing stupider” they can do:
But for Donald Trump’s own stated aims, for the stated aims of those protesters, and all the right-wingers out there who think they’re the ones, the vanguard of opening up America and getting American capitalism cracking again, there is nothing stupider, nothing more counterproductive you can do than turn not wearing a mask into some right-wing badge of honor.
“The mask is your friend,” Hayes continued. “If the stated goal here is to open up the American economy and get people back to work and achieve some level of normalcy, something we all desperately want, there is really good evidence that everyone wearing a mask can really help us in that project.”
Hayes acknowledged he doesn’t like wearing a mask because it fogs up his glasses and makes him feel claustrophobic.
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But he does it for the bigger picture, he said.
“We are facing a pandemic that has ravaged everyone’s life,” Hayes concluded. “The easiest, lowest-hanging fruit to make things at least somewhat better, the smallest, most trivial thing is: Let’s all wear masks.”
On its website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends “wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain” and “especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.”
More than 88,000 people in the U.S. have now died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said Friday that the nationwide death toll could hit 100,000 by June 1.
Trump, meanwhile, continues to push for the reopening of the country, despite case numbers still rising and against the advice of public health officials.
Check out Hayes’ monologue above.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Trump Bashes Reporter Rattled By Maskless Anti-Lockdown Protester

President Donald Trump took time out from the COVID-19 crisis Friday to attack a journalist on Twitter after the newsman nervously dodged a maskless lock-down protester who deliberately invaded the reporter ’ s social distancing space .
Trump slammed the TV report about the protesters on New York ’ s Long Island on Thursday — which included demonstrators berating the reporter — as “ fake news.
” But everything was captured on film by journalist Kevin Vesey for a report on the protest on News 12 Long Island .
“ FAKE NEWS IS NOT ESSENTIAL , ” Trump posted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the videos Vesey posted showing him being menaced by the protesters .
Vesey ’ s response to being attacked by the president ?
“ Unreal , ” he tweeted .
Vesey noted in another tweet Thursday that he was “ insulted , ” “ berated ” and “ practically chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic.
” He added : “ All the while , I was there to tell THEIR story.
” At one point a protester without a mask and wearing a red MAGA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vesey ( who was wearing a mask ) .
“ I think you need to back away from me , ” the reporter told him on video , turning his face away .
“ No , I ’ ve got hydroxychloroquine , ” said the unidentified protester as he strode closer .
“ I ” m fine.
” The drug , touted by Trump , has not proved to be effective against COVID-19 and can have lethal side effects .
I 'll probably never forget what happened today .
I was insulted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic .
All the while , I was there to tell THEIR story .
Here 's the finished product .
pic.twitter.com/HV2Hrcs7gi — Kevin Vesey ( @ KevinVesey ) May 14 , 2020 Twitter critics had a thing or two to say about Trump ’ s attack .
Ladies and gentlemen ...
I present the president of the United States ... the Sociopath-in-Chief who 's egging on foul-mouthed , menacing violators of mask and distancing guidelines while harassing a reporter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ covid19 — Andy Ostroy ( @ AndyOstroy ) May 16 , 2020

President Donald Trump took time out from the COVID-19 crisis Friday to attack a journalist on Twitter after the newsman nervously dodged a maskless lock-down protester who deliberately invaded the reporter’s social distancing space.
Trump slammed the TV report about the protesters on New York’s Long Island on Thursday — which included demonstrators berating the reporter — as “fake news.” But everything was captured on film by journalist Kevin Vesey for a report on the protest on News 12 Long Island.
“FAKE NEWS IS NOT ESSENTIAL,” Trump posted on Twitter with a link to one of the videos Vesey posted showing him being menaced by the protesters.
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“FAKE NEWS IS NOT ESSENTIAL!”https://t.co/5286zgRVWQ — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2020
Vesey’s response to being attacked by the president? “Unreal,” he tweeted.
Vesey noted in another tweet Thursday that he was “insulted,” “berated” and “practically chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic.” He added: “All the while, I was there to tell THEIR story.”
At one point a protester without a mask and wearing a red MAGA hat and Trump T-shirt deliberately advanced on Vesey (who was wearing a mask). “I think you need to back away from me,” the reporter told him on video, turning his face away.
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“No, I’ve got hydroxychloroquine,” said the unidentified protester as he strode closer. “I”m fine.” The drug, touted by Trump, has not proved to be effective against COVID-19 and can have lethal side effects.
I'll probably never forget what happened today.
I was insulted. I was berated. I was practically chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic.
All the while, I was there to tell THEIR story. Here's the finished product. pic.twitter.com/HV2Hrcs7gi — Kevin Vesey (@KevinVesey) May 14, 2020
Twitter critics had a thing or two to say about Trump’s attack.
FAKE NEWS:
TRUMP FEBRUARY 28th ⁰“It’s going to disappear. One day, it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.” — jen pal (@jennyrachelpal) May 16, 2020
FAKE PRESIDENT IS NOT ESSENTIAL — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) May 16, 2020
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Ladies and gentlemen...I present the president of the United States...the Sociopath-in-Chief who's egging on foul-mouthed, menacing violators of mask and distancing guidelines while harassing a reporter. MAGA... #Trump #coronavirus #covid19 — Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) May 16, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--CDC Now Projects More Than 100,000 Deaths From The Coronavirus By June

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now estimating that over 100,000 people could die from coronavirus in the U.S. by June 1 .
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said Friday that a dozen forecasting models of possible COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. predict an “ increase in deaths in the coming weeks and a cumulative total exceeding 100,000 by June 1.
” CDC tracks 12 different forecasting models of possible # COVID19 deaths in the US .
As of May 11 , all forecast an increase in deaths in the coming weeks and a cumulative total exceeding 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state forecasts : https : //t.co/PI1AtLCCmt pic.twitter.com/iylBnom5U0 — Dr. Robert R. Redfield ( @ CDCDirector ) May 15 , 2020 In recent days , several states have reopened nonessential businesses and activities that had previously been shut to prevent the spread of the coronavirus — a move President Donald Trump has been pushing .
Most of those states are flouting public health experts ’ advice by opening before they see coronavirus cases steadily decline .
Trump has repeatedly revised the expected U.S. death toll upward in his public statements , saying in mid-April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60,000 dead , then saying later that month that the country could reach 70,000 dead .
Earlier in May , he said total U.S. deaths from the pandemic could reach up to 100,000 .
All of those figures are lower than the current CDC projections of 100,000 dead by June 1 alone .
As Trump urged states to reopen earlier this month , an internal Trump administration document obtained by The New York Times predicted a steady increase in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks , with the death toll mounting from about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 3,000 a day by June .
As of Friday , the U.S. continued to lead the world in coronavirus cases and deaths , with more than 1.4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 87,000 dead so far .
Trump has repeatedly downplayed the threat of coronavirus .
In an interview with ABC earlier this month , the president said there would be “ some ” deaths due to states reopening businesses and other activities .
Later in the same interview , he also said , in an apparent bout of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will pass , with or without a vaccine .
”

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now estimating that over 100,000 people could die from coronavirus in the U.S. by June 1.
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said Friday that a dozen forecasting models of possible COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. predict an “increase in deaths in the coming weeks and a cumulative total exceeding 100,000 by June 1.”
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CDC tracks 12 different forecasting models of possible #COVID19 deaths in the US. As of May 11, all forecast an increase in deaths in the coming weeks and a cumulative total exceeding 100,000 by June 1. See national & state forecasts: https://t.co/PI1AtLCCmt pic.twitter.com/iylBnom5U0 — Dr. Robert R. Redfield (@CDCDirector) May 15, 2020
In recent days, several states have reopened nonessential businesses and activities that had previously been shut to prevent the spread of the coronavirus — a move President Donald Trump has been pushing.
Most of those states are flouting public health experts’ advice by opening before they see coronavirus cases steadily decline.
Trump has repeatedly revised the expected U.S. death toll upward in his public statements, saying in mid-April that the U.S. could see 50,000 to 60,000 dead, then saying later that month that the country could reach 70,000 dead. Earlier in May, he said total U.S. deaths from the pandemic could reach up to 100,000. All of those figures are lower than the current CDC projections of 100,000 dead by June 1 alone.
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As Trump urged states to reopen earlier this month, an internal Trump administration document obtained by The New York Times predicted a steady increase in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks, with the death toll mounting from about 1,750 deaths a day at that time to 3,000 a day by June.
The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.
As of Friday, the U.S. continued to lead the world in coronavirus cases and deaths, with more than 1.4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 87,000 dead so far.
Trump has repeatedly downplayed the threat of coronavirus. In an interview with ABC earlier this month, the president said there would be “some” deaths due to states reopening businesses and other activities. Later in the same interview, he also said, in an apparent bout of wishful thinking, that the virus “will pass, with or without a vaccine.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--House Passes $3 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill

The massive bill ― more than 1,800 pages ― is the fifth coronavirus-related measure the House has passed , but this one is the most expensive .
There ’ s little chance of this exact legislation becoming law .
“ Some people say this bill won ’ t pass in this fashion , ” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer ( D-Md . )
said on the floor Friday .
“ I think that ’ s probably right .
But we have set forth proposals , and it is time , and hopefully , we will do it quickly , negotiate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unlike previous bills , this one wasn ’ t negotiated with Republicans prior to the vote .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has already said he sees no “ urgency ” to take up the legislation .
The White House has also expressed some opposition to the bill , though the administration seems to have less of a problem than House Republicans with one of the primary aspects of the bill : state and local government funding .
The bill would provide $ 1 trillion for struggling state and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion for hazard pay ( an extra $ 13 an hour ) for some essential workers , and more than $ 300 billion for another round of direct payments .
In March , Congress approved $ 1,200 payments to individuals making less than $ 75,000 , with a prorated amount for people making less than $ 99,000 , plus an extra $ 500 per dependent child .
Those provisions are popular with most Americans ― three-quarters of voters in battleground states recently said they supported more government assistance ― and it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those benefits in the next bill .
For one , Democrats repeal a tax cut that would greatly benefit the rich : a write-off on state and local property taxes over $ 10,000 .
The Tax Policy Center estimates that the richest 1 % of households would receive 56 % of the benefit of that change , and the top 5 % would get 80 % .
Republicans generally avoided those criticisms Friday , however , instead focusing on calling the bill , in the words of Rep. Denver Riggleman ( R-Va. ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no chance of becoming law.
” “ We don ’ t view the coronavirus as an opportunity to reshape and restructure government , ” McCarthy said .
“ We do not smile and cheer when people lose their jobs .
And we do not think to use leverage because people are suffering.
” Democrats are hardly smiling and cheering at job losses .
In fact , their bill extends an additional $ 600 a week in unemployment benefits until the end of the year , whereas Republicans want those additional benefits to expire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cost of the sweeping legislation lost the votes of some moderate Democrats .
During a procedural vote to put the measure on the floor , nearly all of the 14 “ no ” votes from Democrats came from liberals , and roughly half of the Democratic opposition to the final bill came from those same progressives after a number of their priorities were left out of legislation that largely passed entirely on the backs of Democrats .
Ultimately , progressives took a pass on really trying to hold up the final coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a voice on the next round of negotiations as Democratic leaders pressure Senate Republicans and the White House to get behind at least some portions of the House-passed legislation .
McConnell has been steadfast that this bill would not pass the Senate , and will not get a vote .
Some Senate Republicans , however , are already showing signs of angst over McConnell ’ s stonewalling approach , and President Donald Trump has shifted from saying he was in “ no rush ” for another bill to saying it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @

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The House narrowly approved a $3 trillion package on Friday, barely advancing a sweeping coronavirus relief package mostly along party lines.
Lawmakers voted 208-199, with 207 Democrats and one Republicans voting yes, and 14 Democrats and 184 Republicans voting no.
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The massive bill ― more than 1,800 pages ― is the fifth coronavirus-related measure the House has passed, but this one is the most expensive. There’s little chance of this exact legislation becoming law.
“Some people say this bill won’t pass in this fashion,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said on the floor Friday. “I think that’s probably right. But we have set forth proposals, and it is time, and hopefully, we will do it quickly, negotiate our differences, and pass legislation.”
Unlike previous bills, this one wasn’t negotiated with Republicans prior to the vote. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has already said he sees no “urgency” to take up the legislation. The White House has also expressed some opposition to the bill, though the administration seems to have less of a problem than House Republicans with one of the primary aspects of the bill: state and local government funding.
The bill would provide $1 trillion for struggling state and local governments, as well as $200 billion for hazard pay (an extra $13 an hour) for some essential workers, and more than $300 billion for another round of direct payments. In March, Congress approved $1,200 payments to individuals making less than $75,000, with a prorated amount for people making less than $99,000, plus an extra $500 per dependent child.
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This time, House Democrats approved legislation that would give parents $1,200 per dependent child ― with families eligible to receive up to $6,000.
Those provisions are popular with most Americans ― three-quarters of voters in battleground states recently said they supported more government assistance ― and it will be difficult for Republicans to significantly peel back those benefits in the next bill.
But there are a number of provisions that are more difficult to defend.
For one, Democrats repeal a tax cut that would greatly benefit the rich: a write-off on state and local property taxes over $10,000. The Tax Policy Center estimates that the richest 1% of households would receive 56% of the benefit of that change, and the top 5% would get 80%.
Democrats also made a change to the Paycheck Protection Program ― a small business loan program Congress established in previous coronavirus legislation ― that would allow lobbying firms to apply for those loans.
Republicans generally avoided those criticisms Friday, however, instead focusing on calling the bill, in the words of Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-Va.), “a wish list that has no chance of becoming law.”
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“This 1,800-page, $3 trillion proposal isn’t a serious attempt at making public policy,” said Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
“We don’t view the coronavirus as an opportunity to reshape and restructure government,” McCarthy said. “We do not smile and cheer when people lose their jobs. And we do not think to use leverage because people are suffering.”
Democrats are hardly smiling and cheering at job losses. In fact, their bill extends an additional $600 a week in unemployment benefits until the end of the year, whereas Republicans want those additional benefits to expire in July. But the sheer size and cost of the sweeping legislation lost the votes of some moderate Democrats.
The bill includes ambitious paid family leave policies, $175 billion for housing assistance to help people pay rents and mortgages, $25 billion for the Postal Service, and a 15% increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food stamps.
But progressives also had problems with the bill, costing Democratic leadership votes from some liberals and nearly sinking it.
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During a procedural vote to put the measure on the floor, nearly all of the 14 “no” votes from Democrats came from liberals, and roughly half of the Democratic opposition to the final bill came from those same progressives after a number of their priorities were left out of legislation that largely passed entirely on the backs of Democrats.
Ultimately, progressives took a pass on really trying to hold up the final coronavirus relief legislation. But they expect to have a voice on the next round of negotiations as Democratic leaders pressure Senate Republicans and the White House to get behind at least some portions of the House-passed legislation.
McConnell has been steadfast that this bill would not pass the Senate, and will not get a vote. Some Senate Republicans, however, are already showing signs of angst over McConnell’s stonewalling approach, and President Donald Trump has shifted from saying he was in “no rush” for another bill to saying it’s “going to happen.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Maxine Waters: Sister Died Of Coronavirus After Surgery, Was Not Tested Before Operation

Rep. Maxine Waters ( D-Calif. ) on Friday revealed how her older sister died from COVID-19 a couple of weeks after undergoing surgery on her hip in hospital , where she was not tested for the deadly coronavirus until after the operation .
“ From that point she went down , ” Waters told MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes of her 86-year-old sibling Velma Moody , who was living in a St. Louis nursing home where The Washington Post reported she contracted the virus .
“ She was a matter of a couple of weeks and she was gone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her yesterday.
” The California congresswoman hailed Moody , the eldest of her 12 siblings , as “ the best dancer in the neighborhood , ” “ a leader in the community ” and “ the one that was in charge of our home when our mother had to be in the hospital or off on business.
” Waters first revealed Moody was seriously ill and dying of the coronavirus while speaking in support of a relief bill on the House floor in late April .
“ I ’ m going to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my dear sister who is dying in a hospital in St. Louis , Missouri , right now , infected by the coronavirus , ” she said .
Watch the video here : It was “ one of the most painful things that I ’ ve ever had to experience in my life , ” she said .
“ She had suffered .
And so we are going through a very difficult time .
It was not easy , but in many ways , I ’ m so glad she ’ s out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews to highlight the heightened risk of elderly people contracting the virus in nursing homes .
She ’ s also warned of the disproportionate way the virus appears to affect Black people and called on young people to maintain social distancing measures in a bid to slow its spread .
On Thursday , she called out President Donald Trump ’ s fumbled handling of the pandemic , suggesting on Twitter that he only wanted to reopen the country ( against the advice of health experts ) so “ he can go back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ The death & economic devastation we are facing is b/c Trump failed to act early & called # COVID19 a HOAX !
” she added : Trump doesn ’ t care about the 80,000+ people who ’ ve died from # Coronavirus !
He only wants to open up the economy so he can go back to having his white power pep rallies !
The death & economic devastation we are facing is b/c Trump failed to act early & called # COVID19 a HOAX !
— Maxine Waters ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) on Friday revealed how her older sister died from COVID-19 a couple of weeks after undergoing surgery on her hip in hospital, where she was not tested for the deadly coronavirus until after the operation.
“From that point she went down,” Waters told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes of her 86-year-old sibling Velma Moody, who was living in a St. Louis nursing home where The Washington Post reported she contracted the virus. “She was a matter of a couple of weeks and she was gone,” said Waters. “We buried her yesterday.”
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The California congresswoman hailed Moody, the eldest of her 12 siblings, as “the best dancer in the neighborhood,” “a leader in the community” and “the one that was in charge of our home when our mother had to be in the hospital or off on business.”
(Check out Hayes’ interview with Waters above.)
Waters first revealed Moody was seriously ill and dying of the coronavirus while speaking in support of a relief bill on the House floor in late April.
“I’m going to take a moment to dedicate this legislation to my dear sister who is dying in a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, right now, infected by the coronavirus,” she said. Watch the video here:
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Waters confirmed her sister’s death in an interview with The Grio last week.
It was “one of the most painful things that I’ve ever had to experience in my life,” she said. “She had suffered. And so we are going through a very difficult time. It was not easy, but in many ways, I’m so glad she’s out of pain.”
Waters has since used other interviews to highlight the heightened risk of elderly people contracting the virus in nursing homes. She’s also warned of the disproportionate way the virus appears to affect Black people and called on young people to maintain social distancing measures in a bid to slow its spread.
On Thursday, she called out President Donald Trump’s fumbled handling of the pandemic, suggesting on Twitter that he only wanted to reopen the country (against the advice of health experts) so “he can go back to having his white power pep rallies!” “The death & economic devastation we are facing is b/c Trump failed to act early & called #COVID19 a HOAX!” she added:
Trump doesn’t care about the 80,000+ people who’ve died from #Coronavirus! He only wants to open up the economy so he can go back to having his white power pep rallies! The death & economic devastation we are facing is b/c Trump failed to act early & called #COVID19 a HOAX! — Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) May 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Secret Service Signs $179,000 Contract For Golf Carts At Trump Course This Summer

The Secret Service has signed a $ 179,000 contract to rent golf carts this summer in Bedminster , New Jersey , where President Donald Trump has a golf resort .
News of the expenditure follows revelations in the Post that the U.S. government has paid nearly $ 1 million to Trump businesses for room rental since he became president , largely for the Secret Service .
Taxpayers have now paid for the equivalent of more than four years ’ worth of nightly rentals at Trump properties , according to the Post , in what the newspaper termed an “ unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government he runs .
Trump , unlike other presidents , refused to divest from his businesses when he became commander in chief .
That has raised ethical issues as Trump weighs what ’ s good for his wallet against what ’ s good for the public .
Last week , as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 neared 80,000 , Trump touted a tweet from his golf course in Los Angeles , which urged people to reserve their tee times even amid the pandemic .
The Bedminster golf cart rental fees aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pockets .
The carts are being rented from a private vendor , Associates Golf Car Service , which is based in New York , according to the expense documents .
The same vendor has supplied golf carts to the Secret Service at Bedminster each year Trump has been in office , the Post noted .
But the Secret Service typically rents space directly from Trump ’ s company , paying $ 17,000 per month for a four-room cottage at the Bedminster club , near a detached cottage where Trump stays .
The Secret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his entire family as well , including his adult children .
Ivanka Trump visited the Bedminster course last month .
The golf cart rental deal took effect Tuesday and runs through the end of October , according to the documents .
Trump ’ s frequents golf trips were suspended in early March due to COVID-19 restrictions .
But as of mid-February , Trump had played golf 248 times at his resorts at a cost to taxpayers of $ 133.8 million , according to an analysis by HuffPost .
As did many other businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bedminster club had to close for about six weeks under restrictions imposed by Gov .
Phil Murphy ( D ) because of COVID-19 .
Only the golf course was allowed to reopen May 2 when outdoor activities were again allowed in the state .

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The Secret Service has signed a $179,000 contract to rent golf carts this summer in Bedminster, New Jersey, where President Donald Trump has a golf resort.
The contract, reported Friday by The Washington Post, appeared this week in federal expense documents.
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News of the expenditure follows revelations in the Post that the U.S. government has paid nearly $1 million to Trump businesses for room rental since he became president, largely for the Secret Service. Taxpayers have now paid for the equivalent of more than four years’ worth of nightly rentals at Trump properties, according to the Post, in what the newspaper termed an “unprecedented” business relationship between a president and the government he runs.
Trump, unlike other presidents, refused to divest from his businesses when he became commander in chief. That has raised ethical issues as Trump weighs what’s good for his wallet against what’s good for the public. Last week, as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 neared 80,000, Trump touted a tweet from his golf course in Los Angeles, which urged people to reserve their tee times even amid the pandemic.
So great to see our Country starting to open up again! https://t.co/ceXFk4iWBX — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2020
The Bedminster golf cart rental fees aren’t going into Trump’s pockets. The carts are being rented from a private vendor, Associates Golf Car Service, which is based in New York, according to the expense documents. The same vendor has supplied golf carts to the Secret Service at Bedminster each year Trump has been in office, the Post noted.
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But the Secret Service typically rents space directly from Trump’s company, paying $17,000 per month for a four-room cottage at the Bedminster club, near a detached cottage where Trump stays.
The Secret Service not only protects Trump, but his entire family as well, including his adult children. Ivanka Trump visited the Bedminster course last month.
The golf cart rental deal took effect Tuesday and runs through the end of October, according to the documents.
Trump’s frequents golf trips were suspended in early March due to COVID-19 restrictions. But as of mid-February, Trump had played golf 248 times at his resorts at a cost to taxpayers of $133.8 million, according to an analysis by HuffPost.
As did many other businesses in New Jersey, Trump’s Bedminster club had to close for about six weeks under restrictions imposed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D) because of COVID-19. Only the golf course was allowed to reopen May 2 when outdoor activities were again allowed in the state.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Twitter Users Can't Get Over What Donald Trump Is Calling The U.S.'s New Weapon

Trump just unveiled something he called the 'Super Duper Missile ' at the official launch of the Space Force .
@ @ @ @ @ have resoundingly endorsed as a child but for some reason , I just ca n't @ @ @ @ @

Trump just unveiled something he called the 'Super Duper Missile' at the official launch of the Space Force.
These are things I would have resoundingly endorsed as a child but for some reason, I just can't generate any enthusiasm today.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Medical Journal Pleads With Voters To Pick President Who'll Put Health Ahead Of Politics

The prestigious Lancet medical journal published a scathing and unusual editorial Friday pleading with American voters to pick a president this election who will “ understand that public health should not be guided by partisan politics.
” The editorial slams the Trump administration ’ s “ inconsistent and incoherent national response ” to the COVID-19 crisis as cases continue to grow .
“ The administration is obsessed with magic bullets — vaccines , new medicines , or a hope that the virus will simply disappear , ” the editorial notes in a not-so-veiled swipe at President Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reliance on basic public health principles , like test , trace and isolate , will see the emergency brought to an end , and this requires an effective national public health agency , ” The Lancet adds .
The editorial also mourns the faded glory of the once mighty Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which has been slashed by repeated budget cuts by Republican administrations — and demeaned and manipulated by the Trump administration .
The CDC was a “ national pillar of public health and globally respected , ” once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global disease detection and control , ” the editorial notes .
But the disease-fighting process has been hijacked by a partisan political approach that does not bode well for America ’ s fight against COVID-19 , The Lancet warns .
The journal pleads : “ Americans must put a president in the White House come January 2021 who will understand that public health should not be guided by partisan politics .
”

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The prestigious Lancet medical journal published a scathing and unusual editorial Friday pleading with American voters to pick a president this election who will “understand that public health should not be guided by partisan politics.”
The editorial slams the Trump administration’s “inconsistent and incoherent national response” to the COVID-19 crisis as cases continue to grow.
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“The administration is obsessed with magic bullets — vaccines, new medicines, or a hope that the virus will simply disappear,” the editorial notes in a not-so-veiled swipe at President Donald Trump’s approach.
”But only a steadfast reliance on basic public health principles, like test, trace and isolate, will see the emergency brought to an end, and this requires an effective national public health agency,” The Lancet added.
The editorial also mourns the faded glory of the once mighty Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has been slashed by repeated budget cuts by Republican administrations — and demeaned and manipulated by the Trump administration.
The CDC was a “national pillar of public health and globally respected,” once “regarded as the gold standard for global disease detection and control,” the editorial notes.
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But the disease-fighting process has been hijacked by a partisan political approach that does not bode well for America’s fight against COVID-19, The Lancet warned.
The journal pleaded: “Americans must put a president in the White House come January 2021 who will understand that public health should not be guided by partisan politics.”
Read the entire editorial here.
A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Obama Rips The Trump Administration's Failed Pandemic Response In College Address

“ More than anything , this pandemic has fully , finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so @ @ @ @ @ charge know what they ’ re doing .
A lot of them aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ charge.
” The Trump administration has continually fallen short in its response to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ Americans have died .
Following Obama ’ s speech , Trump tweeted a single response @ @ @ @ @ “ OBAMAGATE !
” — a reference to Trump ’ s vague accusation of crimes @ @ @ @ @ which Trump has declined to explain .

“More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing. A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge.”
The Trump administration has continually fallen short in its response to the pandemic, in which nearly 90,000 Americans have died.
Following Obama’s speech, Trump tweeted a single response to the former president: “OBAMAGATE!” — a reference to Trump’s vague accusation of crimes by the former president, which Trump has declined to explain.
Read Obama’s full commencement speech here.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Justin Amash Drops Out Of Presidential Race

Rep. Justin Amash ( L-Mich. ) said that he was dropping out of the 2020 presidential race on Saturday , less than three weeks after he announced his surprise bid .
“ I ’ ve spent nearly three weeks assessing the race , appearing in media , talking to delegates and donors , watching the Libertarian Party ’ s convention plan unfold , and gathering feedback from family , friends , and other advisers , ” Amash tweeted .
“ After much reflection , I ’ ve concluded that circumstances don ’ t lend themselves to my success as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therefore I will not be a candidate , ” he said .
After much reflection , I ’ ve concluded that circumstances don ’ t lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year , and therefore I will not be a candidate .
— Justin Amash ( @ justinamash ) May 16 , 2020 Amash left the Republican party last July , a decision that came after long expressing his discomfort with where the party was headed .
In May 2019 , Amash became the first Republican in Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has served five terms in Congress .
“ In recent years , though , I ’ ve become disenchanted with party politics and frightened by what I see from it , ” Amash wrote in a Washington Post op-ed at the time .
“ The two-party system has evolved into an existential threat to American principles and institutions.
” Amash said he would be running for the presidency on April 28 , though sources close to the congressman told HuffPost ’ s Matt Fuller that he had wanted to announce his bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 , 2019 .
That same month , Amash registered with the Libertarian Party , becoming the first member of Congress from that party .
“ We ’ re ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together , ” Amash tweeted after announcing his run .
“ I ’ m excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president.
” Amash said he was leaving the race , in part , because of social distancing guidelines during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known candidates are more dependent on adequate media opportunities to reach people.
” The congressman encouraged people to join the Libertarian Party , which he said he remained invested in helping .
CORRECTION : A previous version of this story stated that Amash is an independent .
He is a member of the Libertarian Party .

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Rep. Justin Amash (L-Mich.) said that he was dropping out of the 2020 presidential race on Saturday, less than three weeks after he announced his surprise bid.
“I’ve spent nearly three weeks assessing the race, appearing in media, talking to delegates and donors, watching the Libertarian Party’s convention plan unfold, and gathering feedback from family, friends, and other advisers,” Amash tweeted.
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“After much reflection, I’ve concluded that circumstances don’t lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year, and therefore I will not be a candidate,” he said.
I’ve spent nearly three weeks assessing the race, appearing in media, talking to delegates and donors, watching the Libertarian Party’s convention plan unfold, and gathering feedback from family, friends, and other advisers. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 16, 2020
After much reflection, I’ve concluded that circumstances don’t lend themselves to my success as a candidate for president this year, and therefore I will not be a candidate. — Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 16, 2020
Amash left the Republican party last July, a decision that came after long expressing his discomfort with where the party was headed.
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In May 2019, Amash became the first Republican in Congress to support efforts to impeach Trump. He has served five terms in Congress.
“In recent years, though, I’ve become disenchanted with party politics and frightened by what I see from it,” Amash wrote in a Washington Post op-ed at the time. “The two-party system has evolved into an existential threat to American principles and institutions.”
Amash said he would be running for the presidency on April 28, though sources close to the congressman told HuffPost’s Matt Fuller that he had wanted to announce his bid as early as Constitution Day on Sept. 17, 2019.
That same month, Amash registered with the Libertarian Party, becoming the first member of Congress from that party.
“We’re ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together,” Amash tweeted after announcing his run. “I’m excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president.”
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Amash said he was leaving the race, in part, because of social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, which “means lesser known candidates are more dependent on adequate media opportunities to reach people.”
The congressman encouraged people to join the Libertarian Party, which he said he remained invested in helping.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Democratic Lawmakers To Probe Trump's Firing Of State Dept Watchdog

Trump , in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Friday , said he no longer had confidence in Inspector General Steve Linick ’ s ability to serve .
The letter did not specify a reason for the latest in a string of government watchdogs to be removed in recent weeks under the Republican president .
The Democratic-led House Foreign Relations Committee , along with colleagues in the Senate , in a statement questioned the timing and motivation of what they called an “ unprecedented removal.
” “ We unalterably oppose the politically-motivated firing of inspectors general and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions , ” wrote House panel chairman Eliot Engel and Senator Bob Menendez , the ranking Democrat on the Republican-led Senate Foreign Relations panel .
Engel and Menendez called on the Trump administration to turn over any related documents by May 22 .
The two Democrats said it was their understanding that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo personally recommended Linick ’ s firing because the inspector general “ had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself.
” Representatives for the White House and the department could not be immediately reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , appointed to the role in 2013 under the Obama administration , is the fourth inspector general fired by Trump since early April following his February acquittal by the Republican-led Senate in his impeachment trial .
Pelosi described the ousting as an acceleration of a “ dangerous pattern of retaliation.
” The U.S. Department of State later said Stephen Akard , the director of the Office of Foreign Missions , would replace Linick .
In April , Trump removed a top coronavirus watchdog , Glenn Fine , who was to oversee the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also notified Congress that he was firing the inspector general of the U.S. intelligence community , Michael Atkinson , who was involved in the triggering the impeachment investigation .
Earlier in May , Trump ousted Christi Grimm , who led the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General ( OIG ) after accusing her of having produced a “ fake dossier ” on American hospitals suffering shortages on the frontlines of the novel coronavirus outbreak .
“ Trump is methodically eliminating anyone who would bring wrongdoing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democrat on the Foreign Relations panel , tweeted .

Trump, in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Friday, said he no longer had confidence in Inspector General Steve Linick’s ability to serve. The letter did not specify a reason for the latest in a string of government watchdogs to be removed in recent weeks under the Republican president.
The Democratic-led House Foreign Relations Committee, along with colleagues in the Senate, in a statement questioned the timing and motivation of what they called an “unprecedented removal.”
“We unalterably oppose the politically-motivated firing of inspectors general and the President’s gutting of these critical positions,” wrote House panel chairman Eliot Engel and Senator Bob Menendez, the ranking Democrat on the Republican-led Senate Foreign Relations panel.
Engel and Menendez called on the Trump administration to turn over any related documents by May 22.
The two Democrats said it was their understanding that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo personally recommended Linick’s firing because the inspector general “had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself.”
Representatives for the White House and the department could not be immediately reached for comment on the probe.
Linick, appointed to the role in 2013 under the Obama administration, is the fourth inspector general fired by Trump since early April following his February acquittal by the Republican-led Senate in his impeachment trial.
Pelosi described the ousting as an acceleration of a “dangerous pattern of retaliation.”
The U.S. Department of State later said Stephen Akard, the director of the Office of Foreign Missions, would replace Linick.
In April, Trump removed a top coronavirus watchdog, Glenn Fine, who was to oversee the government’s COVID-19 financial relief response. He also notified Congress that he was firing the inspector general of the U.S. intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, who was involved in the triggering the impeachment investigation.
Earlier in May, Trump ousted Christi Grimm, who led the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) after accusing her of having produced a “fake dossier” on American hospitals suffering shortages on the frontlines of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
“Trump is methodically eliminating anyone who would bring wrongdoing to light,” Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat on the Foreign Relations panel, tweeted.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Conservative Columnist Imagines How WWII Would Have Gone If FDR Had Been ‘Trumpy’

Conservative columnist Max Boot imagined World War II taking a very different turn in his latest column for The Washington Post published Friday .
Boot , a fierce critic of President Donald Trump , suggested in amusing yet ominous detail how the conflict would have played out had former President Franklin D. Roosevelt acted as Trump is currently doing amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic .
Spoiler alert : not well for the Allies .
Boot , who left the GOP in direct response to Trump ’ s 2016 election victory , envisioned the “ Trumpy FDR ” losing interest soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory , hyping a “ death ray , ” complaining about rationing and curfews and ultimately holding rallies to rebuke his predecessor .
“ If FDR had taken Trump ’ s approach , this column would be in German , ” concluded Boot , who said it is “ no surprise ” that Trump has “ already gotten bored with a war against the coronavirus that isn ’ t going his way.
” Luckily , Boot noted , “ Roosevelt focused with single-minded devotion on defeating the United States ’ enemies until the @ @ @ @ @ @

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Conservative columnist Max Boot imagined World War II taking a very different turn in his latest column for The Washington Post published Friday.
Boot, a fierce critic of President Donald Trump, suggested in amusing yet ominous detail how the conflict would have played out had former President Franklin D. Roosevelt acted as Trump is currently doing amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
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Spoiler alert: not well for the Allies.
Boot, who left the GOP in direct response to Trump’s 2016 election victory, envisioned the “Trumpy FDR” losing interest soon into the war, then prematurely declaring victory, hyping a “death ray,” complaining about rationing and curfews and ultimately holding rallies to rebuke his predecessor.
“If FDR had taken Trump’s approach, this column would be in German,” concluded Boot, who said it is “no surprise” that Trump has “already gotten bored with a war against the coronavirus that isn’t going his way.”
Luckily, Boot noted, “Roosevelt focused with single-minded devotion on defeating the United States’ enemies until the day of his death.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Maxine Waters: Sister Who Died Of Coronavirus Was Not Tested Before Surgery


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Trump Says He Is Considering Restoring A Small Fraction Of WHO Funding

President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Saturday that his administration may partially fund the World Health Organization one month after he abruptly halted U.S. contributions during the coronavirus pandemic .
The U.S. may send 10 % of “ what we have been paying over many years , matching much lower China payments , ” Trump wrote , calling the plan “ just one of numerous concepts being considered.
” Trump has pinned the massive scale of the outbreak in part on the global public health organization , claiming without evidence that it was too lenient on China as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has steadfastly refused to take any responsibility for the U.S. government ’ s slow response , despite the unprecedented loss of American lives .
Until April , the U.S. was the WHO ’ s largest contributor , sending $ 400 million in 2019 ― or roughly 15 % of the group ’ s overall budget .
The group needs more funding than ever to help combat the devastating pandemic , and Trump ’ s decision was met with widespread condemnation at home and abroad .
Lou , this is just one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would pay 10 % of what we have been paying over many years , matching much lower China payments .
Have not made final decision .
All funds are frozen .
Thanks !
https : //t.co/xQUzHy4NDa — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) May 16 , 2020 Trump ’ s message on restoring funding came in response to a tweet by Fox Business host Lou Dobbs , a vocal supporter of the president .
Dobbs appeared concerned over a report from Fox News political commentator Tucker Carlson , who suggested Trump would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a draft of the letter he received .
“ Top WH Advisors are working for whom exactly ?
” Dobbs wrote .
“ Surely not for our historic President or this great nation.
” Trump appeared to assure him otherwise .
The president ’ s letter to WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explicitly says the U.S. will “ agree to pay up to what China pays , ” according to Fox News .
Trump also tells the director that he sees “ tremendous potential ” in WHO , “ despite shortcomings , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive debt to the entire world.
” American funds earmarked for the WHO have been frozen over the last month as administration officials discussed what to do with the money .

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President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Saturday that his administration may partially fund the World Health Organization one month after he abruptly halted U.S. contributions during the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. may send 10% of “what we have been paying over many years, matching much lower China payments,” Trump wrote, calling the plan “just one of numerous concepts being considered.”
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Trump has pinned the massive scale of the outbreak in part on the global public health organization, claiming without evidence that it was too lenient on China as the virus began spreading there. The president has steadfastly refused to take any responsibility for the U.S. government’s slow response, despite the unprecedented loss of American lives.
Until April, the U.S. was the WHO’s largest contributor, sending $400 million in 2019 ― or roughly 15% of the group’s overall budget.
The group needs more funding than ever to help combat the devastating pandemic, and Trump’s decision was met with widespread condemnation at home and abroad.
Lou, this is just one of numerous concepts being considered under which we would pay 10% of what we have been paying over many years, matching much lower China payments. Have not made final decision. All funds are frozen. Thanks! https://t.co/xQUzHy4NDa — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2020
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Trump’s message on restoring funding came in response to a tweet by Fox Business host Lou Dobbs, a vocal supporter of the president. Dobbs appeared concerned over a report from Fox News political commentator Tucker Carlson, who suggested Trump would make the funding decision imminently, citing a draft of the letter he received.
“Top WH Advisors are working for whom exactly?” Dobbs wrote. “Surely not for our historic President or this great nation.” Trump appeared to assure him otherwise.
The president’s letter to WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explicitly says the U.S. will “agree to pay up to what China pays,” according to Fox News. Trump also tells the director that he sees “tremendous potential” in WHO, “despite shortcomings,” and states that “China owes a massive debt to the entire world.”
American funds earmarked for the WHO have been frozen over the last month as administration officials discussed what to do with the money.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-15--Trump Ousts Another Inspector General In Apparent Act Of 'Retaliation'

President Donald Trump is removing State Department Inspector General Steve Linick from his position in what Rep. Eliot Engel is calling a potential act of “ retaliation ” for opening an investigation into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
Engel , the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , said in a statement that Linick had recently opened an investigation into Pompeo .
The congressman provided no other details .
But Engel noted the timing suggested “ an unlawful act of retaliation ” and said he would press the State Department for answers .
A source told CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the probe involved possible misuse of a political appointee ’ s time by Pompeo and his wife for personal tasks .
Linick , a Justice Department veteran appointed in 2013 , is the latest of a number of watchdogs ejected recently as Trump seeks to purge anyone from the government he believes has not been loyal to him .
“ It is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as Inspectors General .
That is no longer the case with regard to this Inspector General , ” Trump wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) .
The letter stated that the dismissal will be effective in 30 days .
Trump has fired the State Department inspector general in his latest effort targeting key watchdogs across the government .
According to this letter he sent to Pelosi , Trump says he “ no longer ” has the “ fullest confidence ” in the State inspector general .
Effective in 30 days .
pic.twitter.com/9U4Q3HXd9W — Manu Raju ( @ mkraju ) May 16 , 2020 Linick played a minor role in the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was the first to report his ouster .
He provided documents to House leaders that had been given to the State Department by Trump ’ s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani .
Pelosi slammed Linick ’ s removal as part of a “ dangerous pattern of retaliation against patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people.
” Ambassador Stephen Akard , a State Department appointee who worked for Vice President Mike Pence when he was governor of Indiana , has been tapped as Linick ’ s interim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corp. A State Department representative told Politico that Akard , a former foreign service officer , “ will now lead the Office of the Inspector General at the State Department ” in an “ acting ” role .
Sen. Bob Menendez ( D-N.J. ) called the “ Friday night attack ” by Trump “ shameful.
” He added in a tweet : “ At this point , the President ’ s paralyzing fear of any oversight is undeniable.
” Walter Shaub , former head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Barack Obama and Trump , praised Linick as an “ honorable ” inspector general who “ dug in on issues , not politics.
” He pointed out that Linick had once written a critical report on Democrat Hillary Clinton for keeping emails on a personal server while she was secretary of state .
Steve Linick is an honorable inspector general who dug in on issues , not politics .
Before the Trump supporters start painting him as a partisan `` deep stater , '' it might be worth recalling that he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //t.co/4G2e7LVLqW pic.twitter.com/1tA3WhQCZ3 — Walter Shaub ( @ waltshaub ) May 16 , 2020 Shaub accused Trump of “ tearing down the fabric of our republic ” with his vendetta against inspectors general .
He pointed out that the law requiring Trump to give Congress 30 days notice of Linick ’ s removal gives lawmakers time to fight his decision .
Just weeks ago Trump removed Christi Grimm as principal deputy inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services after her office criticized his administration ’ s response to the @ @ @

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President Donald Trump is removing State Department Inspector General Steve Linick from his position in what Rep. Eliot Engel is calling a potential act of “retaliation” for opening an investigation into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Engel, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement that Linick had recently opened an investigation into Pompeo. The congressman provided no other details. But Engel noted the timing suggested “an unlawful act of retaliation” and said he would press the State Department for answers.
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A source told CNN, The Washington Post and NPR that the probe involved possible misuse of a political appointee’s time by Pompeo and his wife for personal tasks.
Linick, a Justice Department veteran appointed in 2013, is the latest of a number of watchdogs ejected recently as Trump seeks to purge anyone from the government he believes has not been loyal to him.
“It is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as Inspectors General. That is no longer the case with regard to this Inspector General,” Trump wrote in a letter sent late Friday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The letter stated that the dismissal will be effective in 30 days.
Trump has fired the State Department inspector general in his latest effort targeting key watchdogs across the government. According to this letter he sent to Pelosi, Trump says he “no longer” has the “fullest confidence” in the State inspector general. Effective in 30 days. pic.twitter.com/9U4Q3HXd9W — Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 16, 2020
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Linick played a minor role in the House impeachment proceedings against Trump, noted Politico, which was the first to report his ouster. He provided documents to House leaders that had been given to the State Department by Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani.
🔴 #BREAKING @NPR has learned ousted State Department Inspector General Steve Linik was looking into allegations Secretary of State Pompeo was misusing a Department political employee for personal tasks for both Pompeo and his wife. — John Stempin (@johnstempinNPR) May 16, 2020
Pelosi slammed Linick’s removal as part of a “dangerous pattern of retaliation against patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people.”
Ambassador Stephen Akard, a State Department appointee who worked for Vice President Mike Pence when he was governor of Indiana, has been tapped as Linick’s interim replacement. Akard was Pence’s chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
A State Department representative told Politico that Akard, a former foreign service officer, “will now lead the Office of the Inspector General at the State Department” in an “acting” role.
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Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) called the “Friday night attack” by Trump “shameful.” He added in a tweet: “At this point, the President’s paralyzing fear of any oversight is undeniable.”
Shameful. Another late Friday night attack on independence, accountability, and career officials.
At this point, the President's paralyzing fear of any oversight is undeniable. https://t.co/6qV55sRDlo — Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) May 16, 2020
Walter Shaub, former head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics under both Barack Obama and Trump, praised Linick as an “honorable” inspector general who “dug in on issues, not politics.” He pointed out that Linick had once written a critical report on Democrat Hillary Clinton for keeping emails on a personal server while she was secretary of state.
Steve Linick is an honorable inspector general who dug in on issues, not politics. Before the Trump supporters start painting him as a partisan "deep stater," it might be worth recalling that he wrote an investigative report criticizing Hillary Clinton. https://t.co/4G2e7LVLqW pic.twitter.com/1tA3WhQCZ3 — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
Shaub accused Trump of “tearing down the fabric of our republic” with his vendetta against inspectors general. He pointed out that the law requiring Trump to give Congress 30 days notice of Linick’s removal gives lawmakers time to fight his decision.
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Congress amended the law in 2008 "to enhance the independence of the Inspectors General" by, among other things, adding the 30-day advance notice requirement.https://t.co/IfNmUEsOW8 — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
Just weeks ago Trump removed Christi Grimm as principal deputy inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services after her office criticized his administration’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Last month, Trump booted intelligence community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, who forwarded the whistleblower complaint that led to the president’s impeachment.
Trump also forced out acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine, who had been chosen as chairman of the federal panel Congress created to oversee management of the government’s $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-17--Eric Trump Claims COVID-19 Will 'Magically' Vanish After Election Day

Taking a page from his dad ’ s playbook , Eric Trump insisted in an interview Saturday that COVID-19 will “ magically ” disappear — after Election Day .
He claimed that the coronavirus that has killed 312,000 people around the globe — including nearly 90,000 Americans — is a ploy cooked up by the Democrats to stop Donald Trump from rallying his supporters at campaign events .
“ They think they ’ re taking away Donald Trump ’ s greatest tool , which is to go into an arena and fill it with 50,000 people every time.
” ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attracted a crowed of 50,000 , despite repeated claims that he has . )
“ You watch , ” Eric added .
“ They will milk it every single day between now and November 3rd.
” “ And guess what – after November 3rd , coronavirus will magically , all of the sudden , go away and disappear and everybody will be able to reopen.
” In late February the president insisted that COVID-19 would “ disappear ” one day “ like a miracle.
” In fact , there will likely be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall and winter , one that might be even worse than the outbreak over the past few months .
You can check out Eric ’ s comments in the video up top .

Taking a page from his dad’s playbook, Eric Trump insisted in an interview Saturday that COVID-19 will “magically” disappear — after Election Day.
He claimed that the coronavirus that has killed 312,000 people around the globe — including nearly 90,000 Americans — is a ploy cooked up by the Democrats to stop Donald Trump from rallying his supporters at campaign events.
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Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden “loves this,” Trump’s middle son told Jeanine Pirro on Fox News.
“They think they’re taking away Donald Trump’s greatest tool, which is to go into an arena and fill it with 50,000 people every time.” (Trump has rarely, if ever, attracted a crowd of 50,000, despite repeated claims that he has.)
“You watch,” Eric added. “They will milk it every single day between now and November 3rd.”
“And guess what – after November 3rd, coronavirus will magically, all of the sudden, go away and disappear and everybody will be able to reopen.”
He called it a “very cognizant strategy.”
In late February the president insisted that COVID-19 would “disappear” one day “like a miracle.”
In fact, there will likely be a second wave of coronavirus infections in the fall and winter, one that might be even worse than the outbreak over the past few months.
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You can check out Eric’s comments in the video up top.
CORRECTION: This article initially misquoted Trump as saying “cognizant tragedy,” rather than “strategy.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-17--Trump's New COVID-19 Czar Holds $10 Million In Stock Options In Vaccine Company

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
has slammed COVID-19 vaccine czar Moncef Slaoui ’ s “ huge conflict of interest ” after required federal filings revealed he holds $ 10 million in stock options in one of the companies working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine .
It is a huge conflict of interest for the White House ’ s new vaccine czar to own $ 10 million of stock in a company receiving government funding to develop a COVID-19 vaccine .
Dr. Slaoui should divest immediately .
https : //t.co/8IWLxVL7la — Elizabeth Warren ( @ SenWarren ) May 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped down from his position on the board of directors of biotech company Moderna Inc. , based in Cambridge , Massachusetts .
But he is still holding some 155,000 Moderna stock options , according to Security and Exchange Commission filings , worth more than $ 10 million as of Friday , reported Business Insider .
Slaoui ’ s economic interest in the company could influence government support for Moderna over other companies that may be more successful in their hunt for a vaccine .
Moderna last month also announced it received $ 483 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which sent its stocks up 15 % , CNBC reported .
Slaoui was named “ chief scientist ” this week for President Donald Trump ’ s “ Operation Warp Speed , ” which aims to develop a COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible .
Before taking the spot on Moderna ’ s board , Slaoui worked for years at GlaxoSmithKline , eventually becoming head of research and development .
He left in 2017 .
When he was introduced earlier this week by Trump in a Rose Garden press briefing , Slaoui said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine by the end of the year was “ credible , ” though it would be “ extremely challenging.
” Slaoui said he was “ more confident ” after seeing “ early data from a clinical trial.
” He did not name which company was conducting the trial .
But health publication Stat News reported that it was probably Moderna , the company Slaoui stands to profit from , because he likely had access to that information .
Moderna ’ s experimental coronavirus vaccine just entered Phase 2 of clinical trials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Pres .
Trump appoints former pharmaceutical executive Moncef Slaoui and Army Gen. Gustave Perna to lead vaccine development .
The two struck notes of optimism about the hoped-for pace of development , while conceding it will be a `` herculean task . ''
https : //t.co/rjsMyBH5T0 pic.twitter.com/ztPaVJXGoO — ABC News ( @ ABC ) May 15 , 2020 Slaoui could not immediately be reach for comment by HuffPost .

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has slammed COVID-19 vaccine czar Moncef Slaoui’s “huge conflict of interest” after required federal filings revealed he holds $10 million in stock options in one of the companies working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
Warren demanded that Slaoui “divest immediately.”
It is a huge conflict of interest for the White House’s new vaccine czar to own $10 million of stock in a company receiving government funding to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Slaoui should divest immediately. https://t.co/8IWLxVL7la — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 15, 2020
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Slaoui, a former pharmaceutical executive, was named “chief scientist” on Friday for President Donald Trump’s “Operation Warp Speed,” a COVID-19 vaccine development operation. In order to take the new role, he stepped down from his position on the board of directors of biotech company Moderna Inc., which is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. But Slaoui still owns 155,000 Moderna stock options, totaling more than $10 million as of Friday, according to Business Insider.
Slaoui’s economic interest in the company could influence government support for Moderna over other companies that may be more successful in their hunt for a vaccine.
Moderna last month announced that it received $483 million in federal funding for vaccine development, which sent its stocks up 15%, CNBC reported.
When he was introduced on Friday by Trump in a Rose Garden press briefing, Slaoui said the president’s aim to have a vaccine by the end of the year was “credible,” though it would be “extremely challenging.”
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Slaoui said he was “more confident” after seeing “early data from a clinical trial.” He did not name which company was conducting the trial. But health publication Stat News said that it was probably Moderna, the company Slaoui stands to profit from, because he likely had access to that information. Moderna’s experimental coronavirus vaccine just entered Phase 2 of clinical trials, The New York Times reported.
NEW: Pres. Trump appoints former pharmaceutical executive Moncef Slaoui and Army Gen. Gustave Perna to lead vaccine development.
The two struck notes of optimism about the hoped-for pace of development, while conceding it will be a "herculean task." https://t.co/rjsMyBH5T0 pic.twitter.com/ztPaVJXGoO — ABC News (@ABC) May 15, 2020
Slaoui could not immediately be reach for comment by HuffPost.
A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--'Great People': Trump Hails Maskless Protesters Who Bullied And Insulted Reporter

President Donald Trump on Saturday doubled down on his support of maskless anti-lockdown protesters who insulted and bullied a reporter covering their demonstration in New York ’ s Long Island .
This time , Trump hailed the protesters as “ great people , ” noting : “ People can ’ t get enough of this.
” The previous day Trump blasted the report of the confrontation as “ fake news ” — even though it was on video .
News 12 Long Island journalist Kevin Vesey reported on the demonstration against COVID-19 safety measures in Commack Thursday .
Video captured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One man without a mask deliberately advanced on Vesey as the reporter , who was wearing a mask , pleaded with him to back off .
The Trump administration ’ s own Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends against gathering in crowds , and urges wearing a mask in such situations and maintaining six feet of social distance .
Vesey , who recently recovered from COVID-19 , called the level of anger against him “ alarming.
” Vesey posted another video of the unidentified maskless man who advanced on him .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I was practically chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic , ” he tweeted .
I 'll probably never forget what happened today .
I was insulted .
I was berated .
I was practically chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic .
All the while , I was there to tell THEIR story .
Here 's the finished product .
pic.twitter.com/HV2Hrcs7gi — Kevin Vesey ( @ KevinVesey ) May 14 , 2020 Twitter critics slammed Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reporter — and ignoring CDC guidelines to stem the spread of COVID-19 .
By 'people ' you mean YOU ca n't get enough of it .
That 's why you keep retweeting it .
The reporter being attacked here survived the coronavirus .
https : //t.co/YdUpBnZILp — D Villella ❄ ( @ dvillella ) May 16 , 2020 87,568 people have now died from # COVID19 in the US 1,443,397 people have now contracted COVID-19 in the USpic.twitter.com/IPqU5oIgaL — Denise Shearin 🌊 ( @ DeniseShearin ) May 16 , 2020 What Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOT wearing masks in public is that they do NOT care if your loved ones die .
The lives of your daughters , sons , parents and you mean NOTHING to them .
I hope that makes you as angry as it makes me to vote Trump out .
# StayANGRY — ( ( ( DeanObeidallah ) ) ) ( @ DeanObeidallah ) May 16 , 2020

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President Donald Trump on Saturday doubled down on his support of maskless anti-lockdown protesters who insulted and bullied a reporter covering their demonstration in Long Island, New York. This time, Trump hailed the protesters as “great people,” noting: “People can’t get enough of this.”
The previous day Trump blasted the report of the confrontation as “fake news” — even though it was on video.
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News 12 Long Island journalist Kevin Vesey reported on the demonstration against COVID-19 safety measures in Commack on Thursday. Video captured protesters yelling at Vesey and insulting him. One man without a mask deliberately advanced on Vesey, who pleaded with him to back off.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends against gathering in crowds, and urges wearing a mask in such situations, and maintaining 6 feet of social distance.
Vesey, who recently recovered from COVID-19, called the level of anger against him “alarming.”
People can’t get enough of this. Great people! https://t.co/b4HM0C298h — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2020
Vesey posted another video of the unidentified maskless man who advanced on him. “I was insulted, I was berated. I was practically chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic,” he tweeted.
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I'll probably never forget what happened today.
I was insulted. I was berated. I was practically chased by people who refused to wear masks in the middle of a pandemic.
All the while, I was there to tell THEIR story. Here's the finished product. pic.twitter.com/HV2Hrcs7gi — Kevin Vesey (@KevinVesey) May 14, 2020
Twitter critics slammed Trump’s response to those intimidating the reporter and ignoring CDC guidelines.
By 'people' you mean YOU can't get enough of it. That's why you keep retweeting it.
The reporter being attacked here survived the coronavirus. https://t.co/YdUpBnZILp — D Villella ❄ (@dvillella) May 16, 2020
87,568 people have now died from #COVID19 in the US
1,443,397 people have now contracted COVID-19 in the USpic.twitter.com/IPqU5oIgaL — Denise Shearin 🌊 (@DeniseShearin) May 16, 2020
What Trump and his supporters are making clear by NOT wearing masks in public is that they do NOT care if your loved ones die. The lives of your daughters, sons, parents and you mean NOTHING to them. I hope that makes you as angry as it makes me to vote Trump out. #StayANGRY — (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) May 16, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Fake Video! Trump Tweets Creepy 'Independence Day' Spoof Starring Him

President Donald Trump on Saturday tweeted a video of a grotesquely transformed scene from the 1996 movie “ Independence Day ” that stuck images of Republicans ’ ( and Donald Trump Jr. ‘ s ) heads on actors ’ bodies — and made Trump the hero .
Trump apparently viewed the manipulated clip as calling Americans back to a reopened economy amid the COVID-19 crisis .
But the speech could also be interpreted as a call to Americans to fight for their lives .
In the actual film , the world is being destroyed by a mighty extraterrestrial force .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ day — on the Fourth of July .
The chosen scene from the real film features fictional president Thomas J. Whitmore , a former Gulf War fighter pilot — played by Bill Pullman — calling the heroes to action .
The twisted version still uses Pullman and his voice , but images of Trump ’ s head have been superimposed on his body .
Spectators enraptured by his speech include Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson of Fox News , a teary-eyed Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-Texas ) , Ivanka Trump , Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mankind .
That word should have new meaning for us today .
We can ’ t be consumed by our petty differences anymore , ” “ Trump ” says in a particularly startling line in Pullman ’ s voice .
“ We will be united in our common interests.
” In an odd twist for a man who extols “ America First , ” the president in the video says : “ Should we win the day , the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one voice , ’ We will not go quietly into the night .
... We ’ re going to live .
We ’ re going to survive.
” The video was created by “ Mad ‘ ObamaGate ’ Liberals ” and appears to be part of what Trump has termed his “ keyboard warriors ” fighting Twitter battles on his behalf .
“ So honored to be part of the meme war , ” boasted a member of the Mad Libs , who describes himself as a “ video manipulator making memes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Trump ’ s latest favorite phrase , but he has yet to provide any specifics or even name a crime linked to “ Obamagate.
” So this is how you spend your weekend with losers at Camp David , tweeting garbage memes while your failure to act caused the avoidable deaths of 88,000 Americans .
You should be embarrassed .
— BrooklynDad_Defiant !
( @ mmpadellan ) May 16 , 2020 This is how Trump envisions himself ... but in reality , we witness Trump not speaking in coherent sentences , lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
— Angela Belcamino ( @ AngelaBelcamino ) May 16 , 2020

President Donald Trump on Saturday tweeted a video of a grotesquely transformed scene from the 1996 movie “Independence Day” that stuck images of Republicans’ (and Donald Trump Jr.‘s) heads on actors’ bodies — and made Trump the hero.
Trump apparently viewed the manipulated clip as calling Americans back to a reopened economy amid the COVID-19 crisis. But the speech could also be interpreted as a call to Americans to fight for their lives.
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In the actual film, the world is being destroyed by a mighty extraterrestrial force. A ragtag band of pilots saves the day — on the Fourth of July.
The chosen scene from the real film features fictional president Thomas J. Whitmore, a former Gulf War fighter pilot — played by Bill Pullman — calling the heroes to action.
“Mankind. That word should have new meaning for us today. We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore,” “Trump” says in a particularly startling line in Pullman’s voice. “We will be united in our common interests.”
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We’re “fighting for our right to live, to exist,” adds “Trump.”
In an odd twist for a man who extols “America First,” the president in the video says: “Should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice, ’We will not go quietly into the night. ... We’re going to live. We’re going to survive.”
The video was created by “Mad ‘ObamaGate’ Liberals” and appears to be part of what Trump has termed his “keyboard warriors” fighting Twitter battles on his behalf. “So honored to be part of the meme war,” boasted a member of the Mad Libs, who describes himself as a “video manipulator making memes for our President!”
“Obamagate” is Trump’s latest favorite phrase, but he has yet to provide any specifics or even name a crime linked to “Obamagate.”
YES @mad_liberals 🇺🇸🚀🔥
SO HONORED TO BE PART OF THE MEME WAR — Benny (@bennyjohnson) May 16, 2020
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Twitter critics had some interesting reviews — and lots of other memes.
When you're such a bad President, you need to photoshop yourself on a fictional President. — Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) May 16, 2020
So this is how you spend your weekend with losers at Camp David, tweeting garbage memes while your failure to act caused the avoidable deaths of 88,000 Americans.
You should be embarrassed. — BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) May 16, 2020
This is how Trump envisions himself... but in reality, we witness Trump not speaking in coherent sentences, lying, and throwing tantrums on the daily. — Angela Belcamino (@AngelaBelcamino) May 16, 2020
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Best Video of the Year award goes to @Eleven_Films
This video has 14 million views, let's get it up to 20 million views. #AnyoneButTrump2020
pic.twitter.com/ouK032DF8K — Trump Crisis (@RWTrollPatrol) May 16, 2020
“Saturday Night Live” had a very different vision of “Trump” in a spoof “Independence Day” scene in 2017.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-16--Obama Cheers On Teens, Takes Sly Digs At Trump In Special Online Grad Event

Former president Barack Obama made fun of his big ears and pointed some sly jabs at Donald Trump ( without mentioning his name ) as he called on teens to change the world in an online commencement speech for high schoolers across the nation .
He assured his listeners that they won ’ t miss a live graduation for long , warning that speakers like him can talk “ way too long.
” Besides , the caps don ’ t look that great , “ especially if you have big ears like me , ” he quipped .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the world a better place , and base their lives on “ honesty , hard work , responsibility , fairness , generosity , respect for others.
” “ Doing what feels good , what ’ s convenient , what ’ s easy , that ’ s how little kids think , ” he said .
“ Unfortunately , a lot of so-called grown-ups — including some with fancy titles and important jobs — still think that way .
Which is why things are so screwed up , ” he added in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barack Obama during # GraduateTogether : `` Doing what feels good , what 's convenient , what 's easy , that 's how little kids think .
Unfortunately , a lot of so-called grown-ups including some with fancy titles & important jobs still think that way .
Which is why things are so screwed up . ''
pic.twitter.com/FO8Hx8DHqj — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) May 17 , 2020 He called on young people to take action to address “ deep-seated ” problems in America , including “ massive economic inequality to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basic health care ” that have been “ laid bare ” by COVID-19 .
“ It doesn ’ t matter how much money you make if everyone around you is hungry and sick , ” he said .
“ Our society and our democracy only work if we think not just about ourselves , but about each other.
” A big problem is “ all those adults that you used to think were in charge and thought they knew what they were doing , don ’ t have all the answers , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them aren ’ t even asking the right questions , ” he added in another apparent dig at Trump .
This year ’ s graduating class will have to grow up fast because of the pandemic , Obama warned .
“ But if we ’ re going to get through these difficult times , if we ’ re going to create a world where everyone has opportunities ... if we ’ re going to save the environment and defeat future pandemics , then we ’ re going to have to do it together @ @ @ @ @

Former president Barack Obama made fun of his big ears and pointed some sly jabs at Donald Trump (without mentioning his name) as he called on teens to change the world in an online commencement speech for high schoolers across the nation.
Obama was the featured speaker Saturday night in the nationally televised event “Graduate Together: America Honors the Class of 2020.”
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He assured his audience that after this, they wouldn’t miss having a live graduation, warning that speakers like him can talk “way too long.” Besides, the caps don’t look that great, “especially if you have big ears like me,” he quipped.
But he also made an inspiring appeal to grads to make the world a better place, and base their lives on “honesty, hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, respect for others.”
Do the right thing, he advised.
“Doing what feels good, what’s convenient, what’s easy, that’s how little kids think,” he said, before adding what seemed like a reference to Trump. “Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups — including some with fancy titles and important jobs — still think that way. Which is why things are so screwed up.”
Barack Obama during #GraduateTogether: "Doing what feels good, what's convenient, what's easy, that's how little kids think. Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups including some with fancy titles & important jobs still think that way. Which is why things are so screwed up." pic.twitter.com/FO8Hx8DHqj — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 17, 2020
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He called on young people to take action to address “deep-seated” problems in America, from “massive economic inequality to ongoing racial disparities to a lack of basic health care” that have been “laid bare” by COVID-19.
“It doesn’t matter how much money you make if everyone around you is hungry and sick,” he said. “Our society and our democracy only work if we think not just about ourselves, but about each other.”
A big problem is “all those adults that you used to think were in charge and thought they knew what they were doing don’t have all the answers,” he said. “A lot of them aren’t even asking the right questions.”
This year’s graduating class will have to grow up fast because of the pandemic, Obama warned.
“Don’t be afraid,” he urged. “But if we’re going to get through these difficult times, if we’re going to create a world where everyone has opportunities ... If we’re going to save the environment and defeat future pandemics, then we’re going to have to do it together.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-05-18--Trump Claims He’s Been Taking Hydroxychloroquine For Weeks

“ You ’ d be surprised at how many people are taking it , especially the frontline workers before you catch it .
...
I happen to be taking it , ” the president said at a roundtable with restaurant executives .
“ I ’ ve heard a lot of good stories , ” Trump , who says he has not tested positive for the coronavirus , continued .
“ And if it is not good , I will tell you right .
I ’ m not going to get hurt by it .
It has been around for 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for other things.
” That is not guaranteed .
Not only is there is no known evidence that the drug works in COVID-19 cases , but it has potentially serious side effects , including the possibility that it may alter a patient ’ s heartbeat in a way that could lead to sudden death .
The Food and Drug Administration warned against its use in coronavirus cases except for in formal studies in late April , citing that serious heart risk , after Trump claimed it may be “ one of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and began mentioning it on a near-daily basis .
Since then , a study of 1,400 patients at Columbia University in New York found that hydroxychloroquine did not lower the risk of dying or needing a breathing tube .
Likewise , there is also no proof that the drug can prevent infection .
Another study had a grimmer outcome .
According to findings by Veterans Affairs and academic researchers , hydroxychloroquine was linked to higher death rates in coronavirus patients who received it than those who did not receive it .
Hours after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House released a memorandum from the president ’ s physician stating , “ After numerous discussions he and I had regarding the evidence for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine , we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks.
” However , Trump ’ s doctor didn ’ t say in the letter whether he ’ d prescribed Trump the drug .
Trump has reportedly pushed health agencies to direct funding toward hydroxychloroquine studies , despite infectious disease experts saying it would not be an effective use of time or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment and vaccine .
Trump has also bucked public health guidance by not wearing a mask at public gatherings despite two people who work in the White House falling ill with the virus in recent weeks .
While Trump has the benefit of doctors monitoring his health around the clock , others who may seek out the drug because of his remarks may not be so lucky .
Following Trump ’ s excitement over the drug in late March , an Arizona man died after ingesting a substance used to clean fish tanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drug Trump ’ s touting .
The president , who ’ s also pitched disinfectant and sunlight as potential COVID-19 cures , suggested to reporters Monday that he was excited about the shock value of his admission .

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President Donald Trump claimed Monday that he’s been taking hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug he’s been touting as a potential coronavirus cure, for a couple of weeks in hopes of preventing COVID-19.
“You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it, especially the frontline workers before you catch it. ... I happen to be taking it,” the president said at a roundtable with restaurant executives.
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“I’ve heard a lot of good stories,” Trump, who says he has not tested positive for the coronavirus, continued. “And if it is not good, I will tell you right. I’m not going to get hurt by it. It has been around for 40 years for malaria, for lupus, for other things.”
That is not guaranteed. Not only is there is no known evidence that the drug works in COVID-19 cases, but it has potentially serious side effects, including the possibility that it may alter a patient’s heartbeat in a way that could lead to sudden death.
The Food and Drug Administration warned against its use in coronavirus cases except for in formal studies in late April, citing that serious heart risk, after Trump claimed it may be “one of the biggest game-changers in the history of medicine” and began mentioning it on a near-daily basis.
Since then, a study of 1,400 patients at Columbia University in New York found that hydroxychloroquine did not lower the risk of dying or needing a breathing tube. Likewise, there is also no proof that the drug can prevent infection.
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Another study had a grimmer outcome. According to findings by Veterans Affairs and academic researchers, hydroxychloroquine was linked to higher death rates in coronavirus patients who received it than those who did not receive it.
Hours after Trump’s remarks, the White House released a memorandum from the president’s physician stating, “After numerous discussions he and I had regarding the evidence for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine, we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks.” However, Trump’s doctor didn’t say in the letter whether he’d prescribed Trump the drug.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Tuesday that she can “absolutely confirm” Trump is taking the drug.
“The president should be taken at his word,” she said. “And the purpose of this letter was to show ... the rationale behind it.”
Trump has reportedly pushed health agencies to direct funding toward hydroxychloroquine studies, despite infectious disease experts saying it would not be an effective use of time or money as they desperately search for a treatment and vaccine.
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The National Institutes of Health announced last week it’s enrolling more COVID-19 patients in a study of 2,000 people.
Trump has also bucked public health guidance by not wearing a mask at public gatherings despite two people who work in the White House falling ill with the virus in recent weeks.
While Trump has the benefit of doctors monitoring his health around the clock, others who may seek out the drug because of his remarks may not be so lucky. Following Trump’s excitement over the drug in late March, an Arizona man died after ingesting a substance used to clean fish tanks that contains chloroquine, an element of the drug Trump’s touting.
The president, who’s also pitched disinfectant and sunlight as potential COVID-19 cures, suggested to reporters Monday that he was excited about the shock value of his admission.
“I was just waiting to see your eyes light up when I said this,” he told them.