inquisitr--2020-05-09--Donald Trump Expresses Optimism After Record Unemployment Numbers: ‘I’ll Bring It Back’

Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone after record unemployment numbers were reported on Friday , saying he is confident in his ability to turn the economy around again .
As CNN reported , a record 20.5 million Americans lost their job in the month of April , sending the once historically low unemployment rate soaring to 14.7 percent .
The job losses have come as a result of coronavirus restrictions that forced non-essential businesses to close and others remaining open to slash their workforce .
The report noted that the big losses in April came on top of another 870,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first few weeks of the nation ’ s coronavirus crisis .
The report noted that the sharp losses led to fears that the economy could be in for a long-term downturn , as was the case after the 2008 financial crisis .
“ It took years to rebound from those setbacks .
When the economy eventually did crawl back , US employers added 22.8 million jobs over 10 years — a victory for all those who had weathered the Great Recession , ” the report noted .
Trump has expressed hope at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Speaking to Fox News on Friday after the release of the unemployment numbers , the president said that the current downturn was expected given the stringent measures put in place to slow the coronavirus and was confident he could fix the situation .
“ What I can do : I ’ ll bring it back , ” Trump said , via Global News .
“ It ’ s fully expected .
There ’ s no surprise .
Everybody knows that .
Even the Democrats aren ’ t blaming me for that.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be particularly harmful to re-election chances for Trump , who through three years in the White House has touted the strong economy as one of his key accomplishments .
There is disagreement among economists on whether Trump ’ s prediction of a fast recovery will come true .
As The Inquisitr reported , analyst Stephen Collinson wrote that the surge in unemployment claims and high number of businesses forced to close will have a much longer effect on the American economy .
“ Each individual claim represents a life on edge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN .
“ People who never had their hands out before are going to food banks , and the unemployment rate is suddenly approaching Great Depression territory .
It ’ s the same story around the world.
” While some states have started to lift restrictions and allow some businesses to reopen , it was not yet clear when others would be able to follow suit or when they would be able to lift all restrictions .
Some public health experts have predicted that some measure of social distancing will need to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created , which could take a year or more .


inquisitr--2020-05-09--Tucker Carlson Calls On ‘Sociopath’ Adam Schiff To Resign

On Friday ’ s edition of Tucker Carlson Tonight , host Tucker Carlson took aim at Democratic Rep. and Chair of the House Intelligence Committee , Adam Schiff , in the wake of the recently released transcripts from Robert Mueller ‘ s Russia probe , Breitbart reported .
While Schiff claims that the transcripts prove that Russia attempted to help Donald Trump ‘ s 2016 campaign , Fox News reported that Republicans are pointing to the admission of many intelligence officials that there was no evidence of collusion between Trump ’ s campaign and Russia .
“ A normal person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not behave that way , ” Carlson said .
“ Conscience would prevent it .
Adam Schiff is a sociopath .
He will do or say anything to achieve power .
He is unfit to hold office .
He should resign.
” Like Carlson , fellow Fox News host Sean Hannity recently slammed Schiff — he also called him a “ sociopath ” — and suggested that the top Democrat was using his position on the House Intelligence Committee to chase fame .
However , Carlson went a step further and took issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Carlson said that the “ entire apparatus of official Washington ” should step down and claimed they were “ exposed ” by the Russia transcripts as well as the recently released documents connected to the case of Trump ’ s former National Security Advisor , Michael Flynn .
Carlson noted that a filing suggested that the FBI knew there was no evidence connecting Flynn to the Kremlin .
Although Flynn was ultimately arrested for lying to the FBI and admitted guilt in this respect , the Department of Justice recently dropped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also noted that the alleged corruption in the intelligence community is not just the fault of Democrats in Barack Obama ‘ s administration .
“ The vast majority of the Russian collusion investigation , including the testimony you just heard , the clips we just played occurred during the first two years of this administration , ” he said .
Obama slammed the Justice Department ’ s decision to drop the charges against Flynn and suggested the choice serves to undermine the rule of law .
As reported by Mediaite , Schiff also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his opposition to the move during an interview with MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber .
“ First of all , I would say to Bill Barr , you can ’ t gaslight history , ” Schiff said to the question of whether Attorney General William Barr ‘ s decision sets a bad precedent .
Schiff then claimed that the intelligence community revealed a “ great deal ” of Trump ’ s “ misconduct ” related to Russia and Ukraine and accused Barr pushing false narratives and conspiracies .

On Friday’s edition of Tucker Carlson Tonight, host Tucker Carlson took aim at Democratic Rep. and Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, in the wake of the recently released transcripts from Robert Mueller‘s Russia probe, Breitbart reported. While Schiff claims that the transcripts prove that Russia attempted to help Donald Trump‘s 2016 campaign, Fox News reported that Republicans are pointing to the admission of many intelligence officials that there was no evidence of collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia.
“A normal person would not behave that way, could not behave that way,” Carlson said.
“Conscience would prevent it. Adam Schiff is a sociopath. He will do or say anything to achieve power. He is unfit to hold office. He should resign.”
Like Carlson, fellow Fox News host Sean Hannity recently slammed Schiff — he also called him a “sociopath” — and suggested that the top Democrat was using his position on the House Intelligence Committee to chase fame. However, Carlson went a step further and took issue with the intelligence community as a whole.
Carlson said that the “entire apparatus of official Washington” should step down and claimed they were “exposed” by the Russian transcripts as well as the recently released documents connected to the case of Trump’s former National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn.
Carlson noted that a filing suggested that the FBI knew there was no evidence connecting Flynn to the Kremlin. Although Flynn was ultimately arrested for lying to the FBI and admitted guilt in this respect, the Department of Justice recently dropped the case.
The 50-year-old Fox News host also noted that the alleged corruption in the intelligence community is not just the fault of Democrats in Barack Obama‘s administration.
“The vast majority of the Russian collusion investigation, including the testimony you just heard, the clips we just played occurred during the first two years of this administration,” he said.
Obama slammed the Justice Department’s decision to drop the charges against Flynn and suggested the choice serves to undermine the rule of law. As reported by Mediaite, Schiff also took issue with the decision and expressed his opposition to the move during an interview with MSNBC’s Ari Melber.
“First of all, I would say to Bill Barr, you can’t gaslight history,” Schiff said to the question of whether Attorney General William Barr‘s decision sets a bad precedent.
Schiff then claimed that the intelligence community revealed a “great deal” of Trump’s “misconduct” related to Russia and Ukraine and accused Barr pushing false narratives and conspiracies.


inquisitr--2020-05-09--Malaria Drug Touted As ‘Game Changer’ By Donald Trump Had No Benefits For Coronavirus Patients, Stud

Malaria Drug Touted As ‘Game Changer’ By Donald Trump Had No Benefits For Coronavirus Patients, Study Finds

The malaria drug once touted as a “ game changer ” by President Donald Trump showed no evidence as a benefit for coronavirus patients , a new study finds .
As PBS News reported , the study involved 1,400 patients treated at Columbia University in New York City using hydroxychloroquine , which has been typically used as an anti-malarial drug but shown some promising potential in treating COVID-19 patients .
The results of the study were published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine , showing that the treatment is “ not a panacea ” for patients suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While the report noted that this is an observational study instead of a rigorous academic one , the results are still seen as valuable given the still-growing field of knowledge about the new virus and how to treat it .
In the summary of their findings , researchers wrote that while they found no benefit to using the drug as a treatment , there could still be more stringent testing of hydroxychloroquine .
“ It is disappointing that several months into the pandemic , we do not yet have results ” from more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
The drug attracted national attention when Trump touted it during daily coronavirus briefings as a potential “ game changer ” in the treatment of critically ill patients .
Trump suggested that doctors should look to the still-untested drug when treating patients , and even said that he “ may take ” hydroxychloroquine himself , despite not having COVID-19 and no medical evidence to support the idea that it could be taken as a means of preventing infection .
“ If it were me — in fact , I might do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ okay ?
I may take it , ” Trump said at an April press briefing , via Business Insider .
Trump ’ s recommendations also led to warnings from public health experts against people taking the drug on their own .
As The Inquisitr reported , public health officials in Nigeria reported a rise in the cases of chloroquine poisoning after Trump incorrectly said during a press briefing that the drug had been “ approved ” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
In the days after this report , Arizona man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical condition after they had reportedly taken chloroquine phosphate , a variation of the drug that is used as a cleaning agent for fish tanks .
The couple took the drug on their own , the report noted .

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inquisitr--2020-05-09--Whistleblower Vaccine Expert Rick Bright Calls Out Donald Trump: ‘I Am Frustrated At A Lack Of Leade

Whistleblower Vaccine Expert Rick Bright Calls Out Donald Trump: ‘I Am Frustrated At A Lack Of Leadership’

Doctor Rick Bright , the vaccine expert who claims he was fired from his job for disagreeing with the Trump administration about coronavirus treatments , called out Donald Trump for his “ lack of leadership , ” The Hill reported .
Earlier this week , Trump criticized Bright during a press conference .
“ I never met Dr .
Bright .
I don ’ t know who he is .
I didn ’ t hear good things about him .
I did not hear good things about him at all , ” Trump said .
Bright took the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with CBS News .
Bright is the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ( BARDA ) .
BARDA is a government agency that has a lot of influence over which treatments for infectious diseases get research funding .
The agency plays a crucial role in developing treatments for COVID-19 .
In April , Bright was removed from his position as director of BARDA and reassigned to a lower position overseeing vaccine research at the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) .
After Bright was ousted , he went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired as retaliation for opposing The Trump administration ’ s efforts to fund research into chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as treatments for COVID-19 , The Hill reported .
Bright said that he opposed funding research for these drugs because there was no science-based evidence that they worked .
He said that he received pushback from prominent people within the Trump administration for his opposition .
According to The Hill , Bright filed a whistleblower complaint against the Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) , claiming in that complaint that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science and safety over political expediency.
” The Office of the Special Counsel ( OSC ) , the government agency that is investigating Bright ’ s whistleblower complaint , determined earlier this week that there was enough evidence to reasonably conclude that Bright ’ s removal from his position was done as a retaliation for his opposition , according to The Intercept .
After the OSC reached that conclusion , lawyers for Bright asked the OSC to prevent HHS from transferring Bright to the NIH until the whistleblower complaint is resolved .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HHS said that the case was currently under review and commented that HHS disagrees with the assertions in Bright ’ s whistleblower complaint .


inquisitr--2020-05-09--Donald Trump Claims California Special Election Is ‘Rigged’ By The Democrats

President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to claim a special election in California has been rigged in favor of the Democrats .
In a short series of tweets , he claimed Gov .
Gavin Newsom changed the rules of how the state was due to vote on Tuesday , May 12 .
Trump claimed Newsom wanted “ mail-in vote only ” but has since opened polling places .
The president also tweeted that Newsom isn ’ t allowing restaurants or beaches open , but he is allowing polling places to operate .
Trump claimed this was a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Garcia is “ winning , ” away from the party .
The conservative candidate in California ’ s District 25 special election also hinted something untoward was happening on Friday night .
Garcia took to his own Twitter account to level allegations against his opponent , Christy Smith .
Garcia claimed Smith and her “ liberal Dem allies didn ’ t say anything for weeks even though the polling places were in full view of the public .
Even after every voter received a ballot , they are desperate and trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Garcia added the right to vote is something he fought for as a member of the military , but what is happening in California isn ’ t a fair process .
It seems as though Trump either saw or was alerted to the tweets the night before and followed suit with his allegation .
Pundits on both sides of the political aisle are watching this special election closely .
Most believe it could be a bellwether as to how November is going to go , assuming the country is still in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 had been a consistently Republican part of the state until 2018 when Katie Hill won an upset victory by nine points .
She has since resigned from the seat due to allegations of inappropriate conduct with one of her former aides .
That resignation eventually led to Tuesday ’ s special election .
Polls show a neck-and-neck fight between Garcia and Smith .
Trump and his allies are reportedly hoping a win on Tuesday will give them momentum heading into the fall .
While Trump is claiming Newsom changed the rules to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , it appears he ’ s referring to a recent executive order that is aimed at November .
According to CBS News , Newsom signed the order on Friday night , making sure every voter in California will be issued a mail-in ballot for the fall .
Notably , the state is still allowing in-person voting , but Newsom said he wants to make sure those who aren ’ t comfortable going to a polling place , still have a voice .


inquisitr--2020-05-09--Tucker Carlson Says Dr. Anthony Fauci ‘Seems To Be A Very Political Man’

On Friday night , during the latest edition of his Fox News show , anchor Tucker Carlson offered an assessment of Dr. Anthony Fauci ’ s job performance amid the coronavirus pandemic , reports Mediaite .
“ He ’ s been head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for more than 35 years , so it makes sense to trust him , ” Carlson began , adding that he believes it is “ fair ” to evaluate Fauci ’ s performance , since he has been leading the federal government ’ s response to the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Makary , a professor at Johns Hopkins , who argued that Fauci has made a number of significant mistakes since the COVID-19 outbreak .
Makary said Fauci failed to prepare the country for the pandemic by not proposing measures to produce personal protective equipment , increase testing capacity , and ban non-essential travel .
Carlson pointed to Fauci ’ s remarks about Tinder dating , saying that the public expert seems a bit “ frivolous ” at times .
The anchor added that Fauci “ seems to be a very political man.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will probably not be able to oust the public health expert .
He said that “ it does seem like it ’ d be pretty hard to get rid of Tony Fauci , since he is such a relentless media presence.
” Carlson has previously criticized Fauci ’ s job performance .
In late April , as Newsweek reported , the anchor said that Fauci “ repeatedly ” downplayed the threat of COVID-19 .
Carlson pointed to the public health expert ’ s suggestions that Americans should not be worried about the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor of stay-at-home orders .
Carlson said that nationwide lockdowns would amount to “ national suicide , ” arguing that the U.S. economy would not be able to handle such measures .
Similar policies would lead to tens of millions of Americans losing their jobs , the anchor claimed .
“ That would be national suicide , and yet , that is what Anthony Fauci is suggesting , at least , ” he said .
Carlson ’ s criticism echoes what appears to be a growing sentiment in right-wing circles .
For instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personality Rush Limbaugh alleged that Fauci is conspiring with Democrats to remove President Donald Trump from the White House .
Days later , Trump added fuel to the fire by retweeting a user who called on him to “ fire Fauci.
” The president amplified the tweet after Fauci suggested that lives could have been saved if the federal government acted quicker to stop the spread of the virus .


inquisitr--2020-05-09--California Gov. Gavin Newsom Endorses Joe Biden For President

Former Vice President Joe Biden , the Democratic Party ’ s presumptive presidential nominee , has landed another high-profile endorsement , reports The Hill .
During a virtual fundraiser held on Friday night , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom formally endorsed Biden for president of the United States .
During the event , which was moderated by former President Barack Obama ’ s 2008 campaign manager , David Plouffe , Newsom lavished Biden with praise .
“ I ’ m so honored to be here with you and supporting your presidency , ” the governor said .
“ You ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — never talk down to people , regardless of their political stripes regardless , their lot in life .
That ’ s about character .
It ’ s about decency .
It ’ s about honor , ” he continued .
Newsom added that the U.S. needs Biden ’ s leadership more than ever , as it grapples with the unprecedented national crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We are desperate , in this moment in time , for that healing — for that leadership , that stewardship , that sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Biden returned the compliments , saying that he is going to need Newsom “ badly ” if elected in November .
The former vice president also praised the governor ’ s response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Newsom was one of the most prominent backers of California Sen. Kamala Harris .
Harris dropped out early on in the presidential race , before a single vote was cast .
Like the vast majority of Democratic politicians , she has also endorsed Biden .
According to FiveThirtyEight , polling shows that Newsom is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Californians overwhelmingly approve of the way he has handled the response to the coronavirus pandemic .
In fact , more than 80 percent of Newsom ’ s constituents approve of his performance .
Biden is all but certain to win the traditionally blue state of California , but polling suggests that the 2020 presidential election will be a close contest .
For instance , according to a The Hill/HarrisX survey released in late April , Biden and Trump are polling neck-and-neck nationwide .
Both men enjoy strong support from members of their parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evenly split between the two .
Likewise , both Biden and Trump appear to be struggling with women voters .
In addition to landing endorsements from Newsom and other Democratic governors , Biden has received the backing of some of the most prominent Democrats in the country .
Last month , during a virtual town hall , former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton formally endorsed his bid for the White House .

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, has landed another high-profile endorsement, reports The Hill.
During a virtual fundraiser held on Friday night, California Gov. Gavin Newsom formally endorsed Biden for president of the United States. During the event, which was moderated by former President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign manager, David Plouffe, Newsom lavished Biden with praise.
“You’ve been on the frontlines of fighting against poverty, ignorance, and disease. You have a deep compassion and empathy, you see the world from other people’s eyes.”
“I’m so honored to be here with you and supporting your presidency,” the governor said.
“You’re willing to reach out to people — never talk down to people, regardless of their political stripes regardless, their lot in life. That’s about character. It’s about decency. It’s about honor,” he continued.
Newsom added that the U.S. needs Biden’s leadership more than ever, as it grapples with the unprecedented national crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are desperate, in this moment in time, for that healing — for that leadership, that stewardship, that sense of hopefulness,” the California governor said.
Biden returned the compliments, saying that he is going to need Newsom “badly” if elected in November. The former vice president also praised the governor’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newsom was one of the most prominent backers of California Sen. Kamala Harris. Harris dropped out early on in the presidential race, before a single vote was cast. Like the vast majority of Democratic politicians, she has also endorsed Biden.
According to FiveThirtyEight, polling shows that Newsom is not an exceptionally popular governor, but Californians overwhelmingly approve of the way he has handled the response to the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, more than 80 percent of Newsom’s constituents approve of his performance.
Biden is all but certain to win the traditionally blue state of California, but polling suggests that the 2020 presidential election will be a close contest. For instance, according to a The Hill/HarrisX survey released in late April, Biden and Trump are polling neck-and-neck nationwide. Both men enjoy strong support from members of their parties, and independent voters seem to be evenly split between the two. Likewise, both Biden and Trump appear to be struggling with women voters.
In addition to landing endorsements from Newsom and other Democratic governors, Biden has received the backing of some of the most prominent Democrats in the country. Last month, during a virtual town hall, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton formally endorsed his bid for the White House.


inquisitr--2020-05-09--Right-Wing Pundits Accused Of Launching ‘Smear Campaign’ Against Ahmaud Arbery After Fatal Shooting

The killing of Ahmaud Arbery has sparked nationwide controversy after video this week showed the black Georgia man being gunned down by two white men , who had remained free for months after the incident before being arrested this week .
Now , the controversy is growing even deeper online as a group of right-wing pundits are being accused of launching a “ smear campaign ” against the slain man .
As the Daily Dot reported , a number of online activists have cast doubt on claims that Arbery was an innocent jogger and brought up stories of his past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characterized this as a “ smear campaign ” against Arbery , noting that many have compared it to reports of Trayvon Martin after his death that painted him as a violent criminal .
Though Arbery was killed on February 23 , the white men who confronted and shot him were not arrested until this week , after the release of the video .
Police said the men did not deny shooting Arbery , but said it was in self-defense as the man attacked them while they were trying to conduct a citizens arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area .
The video cast doubt on that claim , making it unclear if Arbery was the aggressor .
Subsequent reports have cast more doubt on their claim that he was involved in burglaries , with police noting that there had not been any burglaries reported in that neighborhood for weeks .
The Daily Dot report noted that “ right-wing troll ” Andy Ngo posted a thread on Twitter highlighting an arrest the 25-year-old Arbery had in high school for bringing a weapon to his campus .
He also referenced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The former prosecutor says video also allegedly shows him attacking Travis McMichael & trying to grab his gun , ” Ngo wrote .
That prosecutor is now under fire for not filing charges against Arbery .
Many disputed Ngo ’ s characterization , noting that even if Arbery had committed a crime in the past , it was not justification for the shooting .
Other conservative figures shared similar sentiments , casting doubt on the family ’ s claim that Arbery was just jogging through the neighborhood .
Family had said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former football star , was known to jog through the neighborhood every day .
“ The just jogging story seems highly suspect , ” tweeted online activist Cassandra Fairbanks .
“ Would you let someone you believes to have robbed your neighbors just take off ?
I hope mine wouldnt .
”


inquisitr--2020-05-09--Bernie Sanders: United States May Be Facing ‘Worst Moment’ Since Civil War

In an interview broadcast on Friday , Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont discussed the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , reports The Hill .
Speaking to MSNBC , Sanders said that the U.S. is “ in the worst moment in American history , maybe since the Civil War.
” “ We are in a terrible , terrible moment , ” the senator began .
“ People are hurting in a way that we have never ever seen in our lifetimes.
” He then blasted President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the crises caused by COVID-19 .
Sanders ’ remarks come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some states have decided to prolong social distancing and lockdown measures , but others have begun slowly reopening their economies .
According to the senator , the government ’ s top priority need to be working families .
The former presidential hopeful has called for monthly $ 2,000 payments to every American until the COVID-19 crisis is solved .
Key Senate Democrats have endorsed similar proposals .
Notably , Democratic senators Kamala Harris of California and Ed Markey of Massachusetts have expressed support for Sanders ’ plan .
However , congressional Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be included in the next coronavirus relief package .
On Friday , White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow poured cold water on the talks , saying that such negotiations will be paused until June .
According to Kudlow , lawmakers and the White House need more time to “ evaluate ” the proposals .
Sanders described Kudlow ’ s comments as “ callous , ” adding that he and his allies in Congress will do all they can to help ordinary Americans .
“ I — and I know many other senators and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like hell to make sure we act and act as soon as possible , because the American people are hurting , ” he said .
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the economy .
Per The Washington Post , the Department of Labor announced Friday that the U.S. unemployment rate jumped to 14.7 percent in April , reaching the highest level since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
More than 20 million Americans lost their jobs last month .
Trump has insisted that the American economy needs to reopen as soon as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday , the commander-in-chief argued that some Democratic politicians want to maintain the lockdowns in order to hurt his chances of winning the 2020 presidential election .
In November , Trump is presumed to face off against former Vice President Joe Biden , whom Sanders has endorsed .


inquisitr--2020-05-09--Barack Obama Slams Trump Administration’s ‘Chaotic’ Response To Coronavirus In Leaked Audio

Former President Barack Obama isn ’ t impressed with the job that Donald Trump and his administration are doing in office .
In a recently leaked private phone call , the Democrat can be heard slamming the current president ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak as well as his administration ’ s decision to drop the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
Obama can be heard in an audio clip obtained by Yahoo !
News saying that the response to the coronavirus pandemic has been inadequate , and he harshly criticized the Trump administration ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that part of the reason the global response to the pandemic has been so weak is the tribalism in government and the public at large .
He argued that strong leadership is needed during a global crisis of this nature .
“ It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘ what ’ s in it for me ’ and ‘ to heck with everybody else ’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government , ” Obama said .
Obama went on to argue that this election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be campaigning “ hard ” for former Vice President Joe Biden as he makes a run to challenge Trump for the Oval Office in November .
The response to the pandemic was not the only thing that Obama took issue with when it comes to the Trump administration .
Obama also argued that the situation involving Flynn has been downplayed in the media , with no precedent that he can see for the shocking decision .
“ And the fact that there is no precedent that anybody can find for someone who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scot-free .
That ’ s the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic — not just institutional norms — but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk , ” he told members of the Obama Alumni Association .
This kind of activity , he warned , can lead to things only getting worse .
“ And when you start moving in those directions , it can accelerate pretty quickly as we ’ ve seen in other places , ” Obama added .
Flynn pled guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the case was dropped after his legal team argued that the FBI didn ’ t have a justifiable reason to be asking questions of Flynn .
Obama had warned Trump not to hire Flynn , though that advice was ignored .
Since then , Trump has defended his decision and criticized the Obama administration .
Many legal experts were shocked by the decision by the Department of Justice and have accused Attorney General William Barr of cronyism .

Former President Barack Obama isn’t impressed with the job that Donald Trump and his administration are doing in office. In a recently leaked private phone call, the Democrat can be heard slamming the current president’s response to the coronavirus outbreak as well as his administration’s decision to drop the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Obama can be heard in an audio clip obtained by Yahoo! News saying that the response to the coronavirus pandemic has been inadequate, and he harshly criticized the Trump administration’s part in addressing it.
Obama said that part of the reason the global response to the pandemic has been so weak is the tribalism in government and the public at large. He argued that strong leadership is needed during a global crisis of this nature.
“It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government,” Obama said.
Obama went on to argue that this election is vital and said that he would be campaigning “hard” for former Vice President Joe Biden as he makes a run to challenge Trump for the Oval Office in November.
The response to the pandemic was not the only thing that Obama took issue with when it comes to the Trump administration.
Obama also argued that the situation involving Flynn has been downplayed in the media, with no precedent that he can see for the shocking decision.
“And the fact that there is no precedent that anybody can find for someone who has been charged with perjury just getting off scot-free. That’s the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic — not just institutional norms — but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk,” he told members of the Obama Alumni Association.
This kind of activity, he warned, can lead to things only getting worse.
“And when you start moving in those directions, it can accelerate pretty quickly as we’ve seen in other places,” Obama added.
Flynn pled guilty to making false statements to the FBI, but the case was dropped after his legal team argued that the FBI didn’t have a justifiable reason to be asking questions of Flynn. Obama had warned Trump not to hire Flynn, though that advice was ignored.
Since then, Trump has defended his decision and criticized the Obama administration.
Many legal experts were shocked by the decision by the Department of Justice and have accused Attorney General William Barr of cronyism.


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Donald Trump Criticized After Photo Shows Him Meeting Top Military Leaders, None Of Them Wearing Mas

Donald Trump Criticized After Photo Shows Him Meeting Top Military Leaders, None Of Them Wearing Masks

Donald Trump is being criticized after a photo showed him meeting with top military leaders in the White House — with none of them wearing masks .
As CNN reported , the picture showed Trump with the top leaders sitting at a table in the Cabinet Room , which is in the West Wing next to the Oval Office .
Information released by the White House indicated that the meeting took place on Saturday , just days after a series of positive coronavirus cases among White House staffers .
While the picture showed each person sitting roughly six feet apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facial covering .
This went against the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which has said that all Americans should wear facial coverings or masks in public to help slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Trump has come under fire for the picture , with many calling him out for putting the nation ’ s top military leadership at risk and not protecting himself .
The meeting came as the White House has been hit with a number of positive coronavirus cases , including a valet who this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his family and a staffer in Vice President Mike Pence ’ s office .
As a result of the positive cases , Dr. Anthony Fauci announced that he was going into a “ modified quarantine ” due to his potential exposure .
Lawrence Summers , the former director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama , told CNN he believed that Trump held the meeting in the Cabinet Room rather than the Situation Room because he wanted it to be a photo op with the military leaders .
Summer said this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the room at risk .
“ Understand this — Dr. Fauci and his colleagues , when they quarantine , aren ’ t just doing it to protect themselves , they ’ re doing it to protect everyone they might come in contact with , ” he said .
“ The president of the United States , by not quarantining , everyone else in that room , by not quarantining , is failing to follow basic medical safeguards.
” Trump has stirred controversy in recent weeks for his refusal to wear a face mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be worn .
Trump said shortly after the CDC ’ s announcement that he did not believe he would wear one , and had no facial covering this week when he traveled to a Honeywell manufacturing plant in Arizona where workers are making N95 hospital masks .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Paul Krugman Blasts Donald Trump, Republican Party: ‘We Are Ruled By Quitters’

In a series of tweets published on Saturday , award-winning economist Paul Krugman blasted President Donald Trump and the Republican Party , reports Raw Story .
Krugman criticized Trump and Republicans ’ response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , describing them as “ quitters.
” The Nobel prize-winning economist amplified a post by Andy Slavitt , who ran the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for former President Barack Obama , writing that the United States “ finally started to implement a real strategy to cope with Covid-19 — then Republicans just gave up.
” “ We are ruled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it is not only the response to the public health crisis that has been inadequate , but also the administration ’ s handling of the economy .
After initially providing some economic relief to workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic , “ Trump and allies have basically put a hold on policy , ” Krugman wrote .
According to the economist , Republicans do not seem to have a coherent strategy to fight the unprecedented crises caused by COVID-19 .
Instead , despite the fact that the virus is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy will rebound on its own once the country reopens .
The actions Trump has taken amid the coronavirus pandemic also reflect his “ deep psychological insecurity , ” Krugman tweeted .
Krugman — who writes a column for The New York Times — concluded that Trump and Republicans ’ inaction will have catastrophic consequences for the United States , in terms of both public health and the economy .
“ So we ’ re going to stumble into epidemiological and economic catastrophe , ” he tweeted .
Trump has repeatedly insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation is open for business .
During a White House meeting with congressional Republicans on Friday , he appeared to deflect blame on the Democratic Party , arguing that Democrats want the lockdowns to continue because a weak economy could help them win the November election .
According to a new report from The Washington Post , the president is indeed concerned about his re-election prospects .
White House advisers told the publication that the commander-in-chief is “ shell-shocked ” by the fact that his popularity seems to be declining .
Furthermore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly suggest that former Vice President Joe Biden , the Democratic Party ’ s presumptive presidential nominee , is favored to win the 2020 presidential election .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--President Donald Trump Praises Dana White, UFC For Putting On Major Event Amid Pandemic

With President Donald Trump angling to reopen the American economy in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , state governments and corporations around the country are taking steps to reengage in commerce .
The president has consistently indicated that a return to play for professional sports could be an important part of that equation ; to that end , he offered words of congratulation to the Ultimate Fighting Championship and UFC President Dana White for holding a major event on Saturday .
As reported by USA Today/MMA Junkie , Trump appeared on the broadcast of the UFC 249 pre-show on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Oval Office at the White House .
In the video , the president praised White and the mixed martial arts organization for doing their part to bring professional sports back to the U.S. “ I want to congratulate Dana White and the UFC .
They ’ re going to have a big match .
We love it .
We think it ’ s important – get the sports leagues back .
Let ’ s play .
We do the social distancing and whatever else you have to do , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back , and congratulations to Dana White and the UFC.
” White previously told TMZ that Trump would be watching UFC 249 closely as a possible “ blueprint ” for reopening the country at large .
It should be noted that White and the president share a friendship , and the UFC boss previously spoke in support of Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention .
UFC 249 , which was supposed to feature a main event bout between UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson , was originally scheduled to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brooklyn , New York .
However , it was re-scheduled to May 9 in the wake of the pandemic and moved to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville , Florida .
It now holds the distinction of being the first major sporting event outside of professional wrestling to be held since the coronavirus outbreak forced leagues to suspend activity earlier this year .
Trump had been pushing for pro sports ’ return for some time and , as reported by Forbes , held a conference call with the commissioners and presidents of just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April , expressing to them his belief that their respective organizations would be able to resume competition sooner rather than later .
Although UFC 249 did happen on Saturday , there was some level of controversy heading into the event .
As reported by The Inquisitr , video showed a coronavirus-infected Ronaldo Souza fist-bump White , who subsequently made contact with other fighters .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Dr. Anthony Fauci Is Going Into ‘Modified Quarantine’ After Possible Coronavirus Exposure

Doctor Anthony Fauci , a key member of the White House ’ s Coronavirus Task Force and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , told CNN on Friday that he will be putting himself under “ modified quarantine ” because he has been exposed to a White Hosue staffer who tested positive for novel coronavirus .
Fauci stressed that the exposure was “ low risk ” because he was not in direct contact with the person while they were known to have the virus .
Even though the exposure was deemed low risk , Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the quarantine guidelines that are recommended for people who have been exposed to the virus , CBS News reported .
Fauci is planning to work from home for the next two weeks and will try to do as much of his work as possible via teleconference .
He said he would also be wearing a mask as much as possible , even when working from home .
If he is required to go to his office at any time , Fauci made it clear that he would go when he would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN reported that Fauci will go to the White House or Capitol Hill if he absolutely needs to and that he will take all the necessary precautions .
According to CNN , other members of the White House ’ s Coronavirus Task Force are also quarantining because of exposure to the virus .
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn and CDC director Robert Redfield both began a strict self-quarantine this week after being exposed .
White House staff and members of the Coronavirus Task Force are being tested regularly to assess the risk of top-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci said that he will now be tested every day .
He also noted that as of Friday , his test results were still negative for novel coronavirus .
Earlier this week , reports began circulating about White House staff members testing positive for novel coronavirus .
So far , it ’ s been reported that Mike Pence ’ s Press Secretary , President Donald Trump ’ s valet , Ivanka Trump ’ s personal assistant , and several members of the Secret Service have tested positive for novel coronavirus .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff members on Friday outlining the extra precautions that they should be taking to prevent the spread of the virus .
The email directed staff to work from home as much as possible , carefully monitor their own symptoms , and diligently report all recent travel .
On Thursday , White House staffers received a memo informing them that they would be screened for symptoms before entering the White House complex and that anyone showing symptoms could be prevented from entering , CNN reported .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Joe Biden Campaign Reportedly In Talks With Prominent ‘Never Trump’ Republicans

Former Vice President Joe Biden ‘ s team is holding secret talks with prominent “ Never Trump ” Republicans , reports The Daily Beast .
According to the report , the Democratic Party ‘ s presumptive presidential nominee — who is known to boast about being able to collaborate with Republicans — is looking to capitalize on the anti-Donald Trump sentiment in elite conservative circles .
Preliminary talks have reportedly been held , but it remains unclear what form the “ Republicans for Biden ” movement will take .
“ It is literally just forming .
I ’ ve had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
It ’ s going to take off , it ’ s going to happen .
The question is to what degree and form it does , ” a former Republican Party official told the publication , noting that the situation is still very fluid .
Nevertheless , certain names are being floated as potential members of the yet-undefined group of pro-Biden Republicans .
Former Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona , conservative media personality Bill Kristol , political analyst Charlie Sykes , former Rep. David Jolly , operative Steve Schmidt , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all reportedly interested in joining the movement .
Longtime GOP operative Jennifer Horn confirmed that the talks are indeed “ happening.
” Horn said that she has been asked to join the group , but declined , choosing to focus her efforts on the Lincoln Project , a super PAC opposed to Trump .
She noted , however , that most anti-Trump Republicans are still wary about joining the effort .
“ It ’ s really hard to get people to take that last step .
To publicly say and do something .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all ready to go at the same time , ” the operative said .
Some are reportedly concerned that the Biden campaign does not have the ability to organize such a movement .
Pointing to the difficulties Biden ’ s campaign has had with organizing virtual town halls , a GOP source said that “ a coalition like this has to be knitted together very carefully because it can very quickly fall apart and everyone is made to look stupid.
” Former Rep. Joe Walsh and former chairman of the New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Biden campaign ’ s alleged plan .
Both argued that prominent Republicans will not want to join the effort .
As The Daily Beast notes , despite claims that an anti-Trump sentiment is developing on the right , “ Never Trump ” Republicans have not even been able to recruit a primary challenger to the president .
The Republican electorate does not seem to be interested in the Biden campaign ’ s supposed pitch .
According to Gallup , Trump ’ s approval rating among Republican voters is exceptionally high .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the president ’ s job performance .
In general , his approval rating among Republicans has seldom dropped below 85 percent .
Recent polling from The Hill and HarrisX suggests that Biden and Trump are virtually tied in the race for the White House .

Former Vice President Joe Biden‘s team is holding secret talks with prominent “Never Trump” Republicans, reports The Daily Beast.
According to the report, the Democratic Party‘s presumptive presidential nominee — who is known to boast about being able to collaborate with Republicans — is looking to capitalize on the anti-Donald Trump sentiment in elite conservative circles. Preliminary talks have reportedly been held, but it remains unclear what form the “Republicans for Biden” movement will take.
“It is literally just forming. I’ve had several conversations with people who have approached me. It’s going to take off, it’s going to happen. The question is to what degree and form it does,” a former Republican Party official told the publication, noting that the situation is still very fluid.
Nevertheless, certain names are being floated as potential members of the yet-undefined group of pro-Biden Republicans. Former Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, conservative media personality Bill Kristol, political analyst Charlie Sykes, former Rep. David Jolly, operative Steve Schmidt, and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael are all reportedly interested in joining the movement.
Longtime GOP operative Jennifer Horn confirmed that the talks are indeed “happening.” Horn said that she has been asked to join the group, but declined, choosing to focus her efforts on the Lincoln Project, a super PAC opposed to Trump. She noted, however, that most anti-Trump Republicans are still wary about joining the effort.
“It’s really hard to get people to take that last step. To publicly say and do something. You need five or ten people who are all ready to go at the same time,” the operative said.
Some are reportedly concerned that the Biden campaign does not have the ability to organize such a movement. Pointing to the difficulties Biden’s campaign has had with organizing virtual town halls, a GOP source said that “a coalition like this has to be knitted together very carefully because it can very quickly fall apart and everyone is made to look stupid.”
Former Rep. Joe Walsh and former chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party Fergus Cullen are skeptical about the Biden campaign’s alleged plan. Both argued that prominent Republicans will not want to join the effort. As The Daily Beast notes, despite claims that an anti-Trump sentiment is developing on the right, “Never Trump” Republicans have not even been able to recruit a primary challenger to the president.
The Republican electorate does not seem to be interested in the Biden campaign’s supposed pitch. According to Gallup, Trump’s approval rating among Republican voters is exceptionally high. In April, 93 percent of Republicans approved of the president’s job performance. In general, his approval rating among Republicans has seldom dropped below 85 percent.
Recent polling from The Hill and HarrisX suggests that Biden and Trump are virtually tied in the race for the White House.


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Nancy Pelosi Tells Reporter Who Asks About Donald Trump: ‘Don’t Waste Your Time Or Mine On What He S

Nancy Pelosi Tells Reporter Who Asks About Donald Trump: ‘Don’t Waste Your Time Or Mine On What He Says’

Nancy Pelosi was in no mood to discuss Donald Trump in a recent interview about coronavirus relief plans .
The House speaker discussed in an interview with C-SPAN plans for the next relief package aimed at helping Americans struggling during the coronavirus crisis , saying that the House would be working on that soon .
As Fox News reported , the House is expected to come back in session next week to begin deliberations on a bill , and Pelosi has reportedly spent the last weeks meeting with members of her caucus and preparing what would likely be a bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is apparently not part of that .
In the C-SPAN interview , Pelosi appeared to grow upset when asked what role the president would play in the process .
“ I don ’ t have any idea what the president does , ” Pelosi responded when asked about whether Trump would be part of the negotiations .
When the C-SPAN interviewer noted that Trump said that House was “ on vacation , ” Pelosi said it wasn ’ t worth discussing what Trump thinks about the process .
“ You know what , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine on what he says , ” she said .
Pelosi said she is instead focused on trying to “ get a job done for the American people ” and noted that while there may be some differences of opinion within Congress , there is strong agreement that they have a responsibility to help people in need .
As The Inquisitr reported , Trump said this week that there is no sense of urgency in putting the next relief bill together , saying on Friday there was “ no rush ” to pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed a plan that included help for small businesses and $ 1,200 payments for American families , though Democrats are pushing for more in a new bill and discussing the possibility of making payments recurring .
Pelosi is reportedly planning to “ go big ” in the proposal that would kick off the next round of bipartisan negotiations , and reports have indicated that she is open to the idea of giving Americans a $ 2,000 monthly check for the duration of the crisis to help keep them afloat and stimulate the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open to another direct stimulus for American families , though has not given an exact amount .
Some other Republicans appear on board with direct payments to Americans , including Utah Senator Mitt Romney who proposed a $ 12 per hour pay boost to essential employees on the front line of the coronavirus crisis .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Donald Trump Is Reportedly ‘Glum And Shell-Shocked By His Declining Popularity’

Amid the coronavirus pandemic , states across the nation are gearing up to reopen their economies .
President Donald Trump has aggressively pushed to reopen the country , promising an unprecedented economic recovery .
But according to a Saturday report from The Washington Post , the president is becoming increasingly nervous .
According to White House officials , Trump is “ glum and shell-shocked by his declining popularity.
” The president has reportedly “ struggled to process how his fortunes suddenly changed.
” Trump reportedly believed that he is all but certain to win in November , but polls show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong favorite .
Even the Trump campaign ’ s internal polls have been bad news for the commander-in-chief , according to advisers .
The report alleges that Trump is already thinking about holding rallies by the end of the summer .
Discussions about the events have already begun , but officials are not yet sure how to proceed .
Outdoor rallies in areas with few COVID-19 cases are being considered , an administration official said .
Still , some in Trump ’ s inner circle worry about the 2020 presidential election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the question is , will people become anesthetized to it ?
Are they willing to accept that ?
” according to a White House official .
Others believe that reopening the economy will not accomplish much in and of itself .
As conservative economist Stephen Moore explained , whether the country is open or not , some Americans will remain cautious and practice social distancing .
“ I ’ m the biggest advocate for getting the economy up and running there is , but I have two relatives who think I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going out of their house no matter what .
Just because the president and governors open up a state doesn ’ t mean that commerce is going to instantly resume .
It ’ s not , ” he said .
Furthermore , according to the report , tensions are brewing inside the West Wing .
Public health officials have reportedly clashed over disagreements about the government ’ s response to the pandemic , and some are not sure whether the Trump administration ’ s strategy is working .
An official told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sad ” the president ’ s team hasn ’ t focused on testing and contact tracing .
Trump ’ s fears about the 2020 election do not seem to be unfounded .
Most polls suggest that Biden is well-positioned to win in November .
For instance , according to a Hart Research Associates poll released on Friday , the former vice president is nine points ahead in six key Senate battlegrounds .
All six states feature vulnerable Republican incumbents and Democrats need to win only four seats to take control of the Senate @


inquisitr--2020-05-11--Republicans Reportedly ‘Increasingly Nervous’ They Could Lose Senate

According to a Sunday report from The Washington Post , Republicans are “ increasingly nervous ” about losing control of the United States Senate .
The report states that Republicans fear there could be a Democratic blue wave in November , not just because Democratic voters are energized , but also because President Donald Trump seems to have bungled the federal government ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic , which has had a devastating impact on the economy .
A GOP strategist explained that the party ’ s senators are now in a difficult position , trying to distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touting their own accomplishments .
“ It is a bleak picture right now all across the map , to be honest with you .
This whole conversation is a referendum on Trump , and that is a bad place for Republicans to be .
But it ’ s also not a forever place , ” the strategist said .
Another Republican insider conceded that Trump ’ s endorsements and support are not always beneficial for senators .
“ It ’ s not always ideal for him to be like , lavishing praise on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really tough dynamic , ” they said .
Democrats need only four seats to flip the Senate , and a number of Republican incumbents seems uniquely vulnerable .
Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina will both have to fend off strong Democratic challengers , and GOP leadership is “ alarmed ” about the situation in their districts .
Some believe the contest between Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden , the Democratic Party ‘ s presumptive presidential nominee , will eclipse the Senate races .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP will remain in control of the upper chamber , more optimistic strategists reportedly believe .
Although states such as Maine and Colorado appear to be leaning Democratic , Trump could carry Iowa , Arizona and North Carolina .
Furthermore , the GOP could conceivably pick up a seat in Alabama , where Democratic Sen. Doug Jones won a special election three years ago .
According to Stewart Boss , a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , the Democratic Party is well-positioned to defeat the GOP .
“ Democrats have expanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s majority at risk with impressive challengers , record-breaking grass roots fundraising , and a focus on the issues that matter most to voters like defending coverage protections for preexisting conditions , ” he said .
Polling suggests that Democrats are indeed in a strong position .
According to a Hart Research Associates survey released earlier this week , Biden has opened up a wide lead over Trump in a number of key Senate battlegrounds .
The former vice president is ahead in Montana , Arizona , Maine , North Carolina , @ @ @ @

According to a Sunday report from The Washington Post, Republicans are “increasingly nervous” about losing control of the Senate.
The report states that Republicans fear there could be a Democratic blue wave in November, not just because Democratic voters are energized, but also because President Donald Trump seems to have bungled the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has had a devastating impact on the economy.
A GOP strategist explained that the party’s senators are now in a difficult position, trying to distance themselves from Trump’s failures while touting their own accomplishments.
“It is a bleak picture right now all across the map, to be honest with you. This whole conversation is a referendum on Trump, and that is a bad place for Republicans to be. But it’s also not a forever place,” the strategist said.
Another Republican insider conceded that Trump’s endorsements and support are not always beneficial for senators.
“It’s not always ideal for him to be like, lavishing praise on you. So it’s a really tough dynamic,” they said.
Democrats need only four seats to flip the Senate, and a number of Republican incumbents seems uniquely vulnerable. Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina will both have to fend off strong Democratic challengers, and GOP leadership is “alarmed” about the situation in their districts.
Some believe the contest between Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party‘s presumptive presidential nominee, will eclipse the Senate races. If Trump manages to beat Biden, the GOP will remain in control of the upper chamber, more optimistic strategists reportedly believe.
Although states such as Maine and Colorado appear to be leaning Democratic, Trump could carry Iowa, Arizona, and North Carolina. Furthermore, the GOP could conceivably pick up a seat in Alabama, where Democratic Sen. Doug Jones won a special election three years ago.
According to Stewart Boss, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Party is well-positioned to defeat the GOP.
“Democrats have expanded the Senate map and put Mitch McConnell’s majority at risk with impressive challengers, record-breaking grass roots fundraising, and a focus on the issues that matter most to voters like defending coverage protections for preexisting conditions,” he said.
Polling suggests that Democrats are indeed in a strong position. According to a Hart Research Associates survey released earlier this week, Biden has opened up a wide lead over Trump in a number of key Senate battlegrounds. The former vice president is ahead in Montana, Arizona, Maine, North Carolina, Iowa, and Colorado.


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Mike Pence Is Distancing Himself From Others After His Press Secretary Tests Positive For Coronaviru

Mike Pence Is Distancing Himself From Others After His Press Secretary Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Vice-President Mike Pence has made the decision to distance himself from others for a few days , NBC News reported on Sunday .
The decision comes after the announcement that his Press Secretary , Katie Miller , tested positive for novel coronavirus on Friday .
The senior official told NBC News that the Vice-President will be taking a step back and limiting his contact with others for a few days because of his exposure to Miller before it was known she had the virus .
However , the senior official stressed that Pence ’ s schedule hasn ’ t really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow strict self-isolation or quarantine procedures .
Pence ’ s spokesperson , Devin O ’ Malley , released a statement on Sunday explaining the decision , The Hill reported .
“ Vice President Pence will continue to follow the advice of the White House Medical Unit and is not in quarantine .
Additionally , Vice President Pence has tested negative every single day and plans to be at the White House tomorrow.
” According to The Hill , President Donald Trump and Vice-President Pence were being tested for novel coronavirus on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being tested every day .
Miller is not the only White House staffer who has tested positive for the virus .
A valet for President Trump , Ivanka Trump ’ s personal assistant , and several secret service members have tested positive recently .
Three other members of the White House ’ s Coronavirus Task Force have chosen to self-isolate or self-quarantine after being exposed to people who tested positive for the virus .
Dr. Anthony Fauci — the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — announced on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine ” procedures .
Fauci is planning to work from home as much as possible for the next two weeks and only go into the office if no one else is there .
He is planning to avoid going to the White House and Capitol Hill unless it ’ s absolutely necessary .
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn and CDC director Robert Redfield are both following strict self-quarantine procedures for the next two weeks .
According to The Hill , the numerous positive tests have caused concern about the novel coronavirus spreading within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence have continually dismissed concerns about the spread of novel coronavirus in the White House .
Both men have both been criticized for not wearing masks during public appearances , NBC News reported .
After the positive tests last week , officials have made it clear that the White House will be taking extra precautions , per The Hill .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Rosie O’Donnell Says She’s Helping Michael Cohen Write ‘Spicy’ Tell-All Book About Donald Trump

Rosie O ’ Donnell said she is lending a hand to Michael Cohen as he writes a tell-all book about former boss , Donald Trump .
The actress and comedian told The Daily Beast that she paid visits to Cohen in his federal lock-up to discuss the memoirs he has been working on , meeting with him for a total of six hours .
Cohen ’ s book will cover his time working as the personal lawyer for Trump , which led to him getting hit with federal campaign finance charges for the hush money he helped pay to women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
O ’ Donnell promised that the book would have some hot details , and some potentially explosive timing for the president .
“ It ’ s pretty spicy , ” she said , noting that Cohen was in the middle of writing the book and nearly done , hoping it will be published before the 2020 presidential election .
O ’ Donnell , who has been a longtime nemesis of Trump , said that she wrote to Cohen in prison the day Trump was impeached , offering forgiveness for the attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s employ .
The former daytime talk show host said that Cohen was so moved by her letter , he “ started crying.
” Cohen already shared a number of details about his time working for Trump and the underhanded requests he claimed to have carried out , telling members of Congress that Trump is a “ racist , ” “ conman , ” and a “ cheat.
” O ’ Donnell said the two connected over their now clear view of Trump .
“ Michael and I talked a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how it ’ s a cult , and what role he played not only in Trump Inc. , ” she said .
Trump ’ s team is reportedly trying to stop the book from coming out .
As The Inquisitr reported , a lawyer representing Trump ’ s company sent a letter to Cohen reminding him of a nondisclosure agreement that they claimed barred him from speaking publicly about his work with either Trump , his family , or the Trump Organization .
It ’ s not clear if the threat will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the book .
A source told The Daily Beast that Cohen had been planning to share some very revealing stories about his time working for the real estate magnate-turned-president .
“ Michael ’ s stories about Trump are incredible , ” the source said .
“ He has saved a lot of them for when the time is right and the time is now right .
Michael spent a long time with Trump — he is going to go into everything and he ’ s not going to hold anything back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s pissed he had to go to jail for this .
”

Rosie O’Donnell said she is lending a hand to Michael Cohen as he writes a tell-all book about former boss, Donald Trump.
The actress and comedian told The Daily Beast that she paid visits to Cohen in his federal lock-up to discuss the memoirs he has been working on, meeting with him for a total of six hours. Cohen’s book will cover his time working as the personal lawyer for Trump, which led to him getting hit with federal campaign finance charges for the hush money he helped pay to women accusing Trump of having extra-marital affairs with them.
O’Donnell promised that the book would have some hot details, and some potentially explosive timing for the president.
“It’s pretty spicy,” she said, noting that Cohen was in the middle of writing the book and nearly done, hoping it will be published before the 2020 presidential election.
O’Donnell, who has been a longtime nemesis of Trump, said that she wrote to Cohen in prison the day Trump was impeached, offering forgiveness for the attacks he had launched against her while in Trump’s employ. The former daytime talk show host said that Cohen was so moved by her letter, he “started crying.”
Cohen already shared a number of details about his time working for Trump and the underhanded requests he claimed to have carried out, telling members of Congress that Trump is a “racist,” “conman,” and a “cheat.”
O’Donnell said the two connected over their now clear view of Trump.
“Michael and I talked a lot about how he got involved in Trump, how it’s a cult, and what role he played not only in Trump Inc.,” she said.
Trump’s team is reportedly trying to stop the book from coming out. As The Inquisitr reported, a lawyer representing Trump’s company sent a letter to Cohen reminding him of a nondisclosure agreement that they claimed barred him from speaking publicly about his work with either Trump, his family, or the Trump Organization.
It’s not clear if the threat will stop Cohen, or impact his plans for the book. A source told The Daily Beast that Cohen had been planning to share some very revealing stories about his time working for the real estate magnate-turned-president.
“Michael’s stories about Trump are incredible,” the source said. “He has saved a lot of them for when the time is right and the time is now right. Michael spent a long time with Trump — he is going to go into everything and he’s not going to hold anything back. He has paid his dues and he’s pissed he had to go to jail for this.”


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Andrew Cuomo Is Creating A ‘High-Tech Dystopia’ Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, Author Says

In a Friday piece for The Intercept , author Naomi Klein argues that New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo is using his connections to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt — as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation — to create a “ high-tech dystopia ” under cover of the mass death that the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked on the state .
“ This is a future in which , for the privileged , almost everything is home delivered , either virtually via streaming and cloud technology , or physically via driverless vehicle or drone , then screen ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she wrote .
According to Klein , this future will see less employment for doctors , teachers , and drivers , and more reliance on anonymous workers in data centers , warehouses , and electronic sweatshops , among other industries .
While Klein claims this technology-driven future was already being pushed on America in the name of convenience , concerns about its effects on privacy and democracy kept the possibility on the horizon .
Now , Klein argues , the COVID-19 pandemic has created the perfect landscape to push it into reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locating virus-stricken people and determining who they interacted with .
It is a technology-based coronavirus approach that is being pushed for widespread use around the U.S .
In an op-ed for The New York Times , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden pushed for “ widespread , easily available and prompt testing , ” but urged the protection of privacy in the process .
With his billionaire connections , Klein says Cuomo is best positioned to pave the way for integrating technology into the state ’ s daily life .
According to Klein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being enabled by Cuomo to create a society that is reminiscent of the dystopian sci-fi show Black Mirror .
The 50-year-old author highlights Schmidt ’ s role in advising the Department of Defense on the use of artificial intelligence in the military , as well as his advisory role over Congress related to AI and “ related machine learning developments ” and technologies .
The U.S. is not the only country that has seen a rise in skepticism over an increased technological push amid the pandemic .
Around the world , concerns have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps related to coronavirus .
As reported by Global News , numerous privacy watchdogs in Canada have sounded the alarm on smartphone apps that will track user location and determine who they contact .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Charlamagne tha God Tells Black Americans To Buy Guns For Protection From ‘Vanilla [Islamic State]’

Radio host Charlamagne tha God appeared on MSNBC on Sunday and encouraged black Americans to purchase firearms to protect themselves from “ vanilla [ Islamic State ] , ” Breitbart reported .
The 41-year-old television personality ’ s comment comes amid the controversy surrounding the killing of Ahmaud Arbery , who was shot to death in Georgia by Gregory and Travis McMichael back in February .
“ My thoughts are rest in peace and condolences to his family , ” Charlamagne said .
Charlamagne encouraged his “ brothers and sisters ” to purchase legal firearms and learn to use them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , owning a licensed gun as a black American is a “ form of self-care.
” “ That ’ s my thoughts on that , ” he said .
Arbery was gunned down by Travis McMichael while jogging in his neighborhood .
According to Travis and his father — a former police officer at Glynn County Police Department — Arbery was suspected of being involved in a series of recent break-ins .
In addition , Travis claims he killed Arbery in self-defense .
However , CNN reported that no break-ins were reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The arrest of the McMichael ’ s came after months of public outcry .
While speaking to MSNBC , Charlamagne said he does not have faith in America ’ s justice system and claimed that he has seen “ plenty of white people ” get away with killing unarmed black Americans in the country .
The solution , he says , is owning a firearm and protecting one ’ s self by using the rights provided to every U.S. citizen by the Second Amendment .
Recent footage revealed the minutes before Arbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have entered a nearby construction site .
While the footage does not show evidence of a crime , some suggest it supports the narrative that he was breaking and entering .
Others believe Arbery was harmlessly looking at the construction site as he jogged through the neighborhood .
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation , Travis and Gregory McMichael currently face murder and aggravated assault charges and are being held in the Glynn County Jail .
The bureau has not yet confirmed when the pair will appear in court .

'1000 Lb Sister' Tammy Slaton Defends Her 'Filtered' Pictures, Ask Critics to Talk to Her Hand
She said, "Listen, I am not trying to be rude, but it's my profile. And if I like using the filters, I will. Plain and simple," as she waved goodbye. ...


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Chris Wallace Presses Steve Mnuchin On ‘Rosy Predictions’ Of US Economic Recovery

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin appeared on Fox News Sunday and spoke to host Chris Wallace about his predictions of the U.S. economy in the coming weeks and months amid the coronavirus pandemic , Raw Story reported .
While Mnuchin appeared optimistic about America ’ s economic recovery , Wallace pushed back and pointed to the 22.8 percent unemployment reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in April .
“ That does not include the 7 million people who have lost their jobs since then , ” Wallace said .
“ Aren ’ t we talking close to 25 % at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood ?
” Mnuchin agreed that the number could be close to 25 percent .
However , he noted that the current crisis was created by the voluntary shutdown of the economy , as opposed to the economic issues that drove the Great Depression .
Despite Mnuchin ’ s optimism , Wallace was not convinced .
He pointed to both Mnuchin and President Donald Trump ‘ s assertion that the economy will come “ roaring back ” despite predictions that suggest unemployment will be over 9 percent until the close of 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic reality or the November election ?
” Wallace asked Mnuchin .
Mnuchin pushed back on the notion that his numbers are overly optimistic and again suggested that the economy will recover after a “ very , very bad ” second quarter .
According to Mnuchin , this recovery will be connected to available COVID-19 vaccines and therapies he believes will soon become available to the American people .
As The Inquisitr reported , Trump spoke to Fox News on Friday and expressed confidence in his ability to bring the economy back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans who lost their jobs in April .
Such losses are directly linked to the close of non-essential businesses , as well as layoffs from open businesses looking to reduce costs .
While the Trump administration continues to be optimistic about the potential for an economic bounce-back , others are wary .
In a piece for The Atlantic , journalist and author McKay Coppins described his unsettling experience flying during the pandemic and said the plan to reopen the economy and return to pre-coronavirus normalcy is not grounded in reality .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waits on the other end of these stay-at-home orders is a mirage , ” he said .
Even if governors lift restrictions , Coppins claims that until the looming threat of disease is gone , things will not return to any sense of the normal that existed before coronavirus spread across the world .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Donald Trump Reportedly ‘Shell-Shocked’ And Depressed By His Falling Popularity

President Donald Trump is reportedly surprised and saddened by his continuing decline in popularity amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
The Washington Post reports that numerous anonymous staffers and allies weighed in on Trump ’ s state of mind as poll after poll reveals that the public is increasingly unhappy with his response to the global crisis .
“ Some of Trump ’ s advisers described the president as glum and shell-shocked by his declining popularity .
In private conversations , he has struggled to process how his fortunes suddenly changed from believing he was on a glide path to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the likely Democratic nominee , former vice president Joe Biden , in virtually every poll , including his own campaign ’ s internal surveys , advisers said , ” the Washington Post writes .
Not only is he concerned about the current wave of infections plaguing the country , but he is worried that if the disease has a second wave , which many experts predict could happen , it could further hurt his chances at re-election .
“ He also has been fretting about the possibility that a bad outbreak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing in the November election , ” the paper reported .
Trump has been facing criticism for his response to the crisis , with people arguing that he hasn ’ t worked hard enough to ensure that a nationwide testing system , which experts say is necessary before the country can start to return to normal , is in place before calling for states to reopen .
He has also recently suggested that the virus will fade away on its own without a vaccine , though he conceded that an effective inoculation would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , critics said the president repeatedly downplayed the severity of the situation and suggested that the virus might fade on its own .
He also reassured the country that COVID-19 was contained , even as it began spreading across the U.S .
In recent polls , the president consistently comes in behind his presumed opponent , with many people citing his handling of the pandemic as the reason they favor Biden over Trump .
The economy has taken a hit , with employment reaching historically high numbers amid the pandemic , another factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as Trump has predicted that the economy will be booming by next year .
Trump has been pushing to get the country back to business and is planning to begin holding rallies again in June and may even hold a fundraiser as early as next month in order to boost his chances at winning the election in November .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Mike Pence Reportedly Asked CEOs To Remove Masks Before Meeting Him Just Hours After Staffer Tested

Mike Pence Reportedly Asked CEOs To Remove Masks Before Meeting Him Just Hours After Staffer Tested Positive

Last week , Vice President Mike Pence ’ s press secretary tested positive for COVID-19 , but that didn ’ t stop him from reportedly asking a group of food industry leaders to remove their masks before a meeting .
The Intercept posted a video of the meeting , showing five leaders from food giants Kroger , Tyson Foods , and the American Farm Bureau Federation sitting at a table .
Though the audio isn ’ t clear , a staffer comes out to the table and speaks with the CEOs , who then remove their masks before Pence emerges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katie Miller tested positive for the novel coronavirus , delaying Pence ’ s flight to the meeting at the headquarters of the Hy-Vee supermarket chain .
While the vice president maintained social distancing during the meeting , the Intercept reports that it highlights the ways in which some members of the Trump administration choose not to follow federal guidelines related to COVID-19 .
While those who attended the event were tested for elevated temperatures , it appears that many people who attended the meeting didn ’ t wear facemasks .
The decision on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become a political focal point , with both Pence and Trump facing repeated criticism for failing to wear masks despite the Trump administration ’ s own guidelines to wear protective equipment to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Trump recently met with elderly World War II veterans but chose not to wear a mask during the event .
The White House defended the decision , saying that the war heroes chose to meet the president knowing that he may choose not to wear a mask .
Pence faced criticism after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while failing to wear a mask .
His wife initially said that he wasn ’ t aware of any mask requirements , something the clinic denied .
Pence later admitted that he should have worn the face covering .
Both Pence and Trump have argued that they ’ re tested regularly , so wearing a mask over their face isn ’ t necessary .
However , a recent report suggests that the president also views wearing a mask to be potentially harmful to his image and could reduce his chances of being re-elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an important element of slowing the spread of the disease , it is possible to get a false negative , which means an individual could be sick and not test positive .
“ An infected person could get a so-called ‘ false negative ’ test result if the swab missed the virus , for example , ” Harvard Medical School said .

Last week, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary tested positive for COVID-19, but that didn’t stop him from reportedly asking a group of food industry leaders to remove their masks before a meeting.
The Intercept posted a video of the meeting, showing five leaders from food giants Kroger, Tyson Foods, and the American Farm Bureau Federation sitting at a table. Though the audio isn’t clear, a staffer comes out to the table and speaks with the CEOs, who then remove their masks before Pence emerges.
The move came just hours after Katie Miller tested positive for the novel coronavirus, delaying Pence’s flight to the meeting at the headquarters of the Hy-Vee supermarket chain.
While the vice president maintained social distancing during the meeting, the Intercept reports that it highlights the ways in which some members of the Trump administration choose not to follow federal guidelines related to COVID-19.
While those who attended the event were tested for elevated temperatures, it appears that many people who attended the meeting didn’t wear facemasks.
The decision on whether or not to wear a mask has become a political focal point, with both Pence and Trump facing repeated criticism for failing to wear masks despite the Trump administration’s own guidelines to wear protective equipment to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Trump recently met with elderly World War II veterans but chose not to wear a mask during the event. The White House defended the decision, saying that the war heroes chose to meet the president knowing that he may choose not to wear a mask.
Pence faced criticism after attending an event at a Mayo Clinic while failing to wear a mask. His wife initially said that he wasn’t aware of any mask requirements, something the clinic denied. Pence later admitted that he should have worn the face covering.
Both Pence and Trump have argued that they’re tested regularly, so wearing a mask over their face isn’t necessary. However, a recent report suggests that the president also views wearing a mask to be potentially harmful to his image and could reduce his chances of being re-elected.
Experts note that while testing is an important element of slowing the spread of the disease, it is possible to get a false negative, which means an individual could be sick and not test positive.
“An infected person could get a so-called ‘false negative’ test result if the swab missed the virus, for example,” Harvard Medical School said.


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Nancy Pelosi Says Next Coronavirus Stimulus Will Have Vote-By-Mail

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared on Full Court Press on Sunday and spoke to host Greta van Susteren about the next coronavirus relief package , which she said will have vote-by-mail .
As reported by Breitbart , Pelosi said she believes the procedure is “ essential ” and has the support of Republicans all around the country .
“ They like voting by mail , ” she said .
“ They have more of a habit of voting by mail.
” In terms of the reasoning behind the procedure , Pelosi said that mail-in voting is necessary to keep people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
“ This is related to COVID for the reason that we are trying to keep people at home , vote at home and the rest , vote by mail does one thing—I was a former chair of the California party , and our goal was to remove all obstacles to participation.
” Pelosi ’ s comment comes after California Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed an order to provide every resident of the state with a mail-in ballot , CBS News reported .
After the news , President Donald Trump suggested that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting center — is part of a plan to “ steal another election.
” “ It ’ s all rigged out there , ” he tweeted .
“ These votes must not count .
SCAM !
” Nevertheless , Pelosi believes that vote-by-mail is an “ opportunity ” to take down participation barriers that many voters face in the electoral process and also reduce the gatherings that will take place on election day .
In particular , Pelosi pointed to Wisconsin and the coronavirus cases that were allegedly tied to people who waited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she noted that Oregon has used vote-by-mail for years and seen “ success.
” As reported by CNN , Trump is increasingly getting involved in legal battles tied to mail-in voting .
The president , who has been on a mission to defund the postal service , met with his allies last week to speak about legal efforts against Democrats and their push for mail-in voting in various parts of the country .
Although CNN notes that evidence does not suggest mail-in voting specifically benefits Republicans or Democrats , Trump has continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will pave the way for fraud .
Andy Orellana , a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , pushed back against the notion that vote-by-mail is undermining electoral security .
“ Expanding voting access is NOT stealing an election , contrary to what Republicans in Washington may believe , ” he said .
Trump previously called mail-in ballots corrupt just weeks after he mailed-in his own vote for the Florida primary .


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Donald Trump Fires Back At Barack Obama’s Criticism Of His Coronavirus Handling

On Saturday , leaked audio revealed former President Barack Obama criticizing the Trump administration for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to fire back at Obama with a message accusing him of mishandling the H1N1 swine flu in 2009 .
“ We are getting great marks for the handling of the CoronaVirus pandemic , especially the very early BAN of people from China , the infectious source , entering the USA , ” Trump wrote .
“ Compare that to the Obama/Sleepy Joe disaster known as H1N1 Swine Flu .
Poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have a clue !
” As The Inquisitr previously reported , Obama spoke with about 3,000 members of the Obama Alumni Association about current events and the importance of supporting Joe Biden in the upcoming election in order to defeat Trump ’ s bid for re-election .
“ It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘ what ’ s in it for me ’ and ‘ to heck with everybody else ’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government , ” Obama said .
Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the response to COVID-19 and said that strong leadership is necessary during challenges like a global pandemic .
That ’ s why , he said , he ’ d be supporting his former vice president as much as possible .
Obama also slammed the Trump administration for dropping charges against Michael Flynn , who pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI .
Earlier this week , the charges against Flynn were dropped after his legal team argued that the FBI had no cause to be questioning the former national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former president had warned Trump not to employ Flynn in his administration , but Trump hired him anyway , though he resigned after just 24 days .
It ’ s not the first time that Trump has attacked Obama for his response to the 2009 outbreak of the swine flu , during which 12,469 people died .
So far , over 78,700 people have died of COVID-19 in the U.S. Trump continued his early morning Twitter tirade , attacking the media and those involved in the Russia investigation and the impeachment trial against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a happy mother ’ s day and retweeted the announcement of the opening of his golf course in California .
“ We are thrilled to announce the reopening of @ trumpgolfla beginning Saturday May 9th !
We look forward to welcoming you back , ” the message read .
Likely as a result of the conflict between the two leaders , the hashtag “ TrumpsJealousOfObama ” was trending on Twitter on Sunday morning .

On Saturday, leaked audio revealed former President Barack Obama criticizing the Trump administration for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to fire back at Obama with a message accusing him of mishandling the H1N1 swine flu in 2009.
“We are getting great marks for the handling of the CoronaVirus pandemic, especially the very early BAN of people from China, the infectious source, entering the USA,” Trump wrote. “Compare that to the Obama/Sleepy Joe disaster known as H1N1 Swine Flu. Poor marks, bad polls – didn’t have a clue!”
As The Inquisitr previously reported, Obama spoke with about 3,000 members of the Obama Alumni Association about current events and the importance of supporting Joe Biden in the upcoming election in order to defeat Trump’s bid for re-election.
“It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government,” Obama said.
Obama argued that tribalism had limited the effectiveness of the response to COVID-19 and said that strong leadership is necessary during challenges like a global pandemic. That’s why, he said, he’d be supporting his former vice president as much as possible.
Obama also slammed the Trump administration for dropping charges against Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI. Earlier this week, the charges against Flynn were dropped after his legal team argued that the FBI had no cause to be questioning the former national security adviser in the first place.
The former president had warned Trump not to employ Flynn in his administration, but Trump hired him anyway, though he resigned after just 24 days.
It’s not the first time that Trump has attacked Obama for his response to the 2009 outbreak of the swine flu, during which 12,469 people died. So far, over 78,700 people have died of COVID-19 in the U.S.
Trump continued his early morning Twitter tirade, attacking the media and those involved in the Russia investigation and the impeachment trial against him. He also wished the country a happy mother’s day and retweeted the announcement of the opening of his golf course in California.
“We are thrilled to announce the reopening of @trumpgolfla beginning Saturday May 9th! We look forward to welcoming you back,” the message read.
Likely as a result of the conflict between the two leaders, the hashtag “TrumpsJealousOfObama” was trending on Twitter on Sunday morning.


inquisitr--2020-05-10--Chuck Schumer Demands To Know Why Unproven Hydroxychloroquine Was Used By VA

In March , U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to espouse the benefits of hydroxychloroquine , a drug typically used to treat malaria and/or lupus , in relation to the fight against the novel coronavirus .
However , there was little in the way of meaningful evidence to back up the president ’ s claims at the time , and the drug was later shown to be ineffective ( and potentially dangerous ) as a COVID-19 treatment .
Now , New York Sen. Chuck Schumer is demanding to know why the Department of Veterans Affairs allowed its use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by The Associated Press , Schumer ’ s request for information comes in the wake of a whistleblower complaint by Dr. Rick Bright — former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority — alleging that the White House aimed to “ flood ” virus hot spots in New York and New Jersey with the drug .
In an AP interview , Schumer alluded to disturbing findings about hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus treatment .
“ There are concerns that they are using this drug when the medical evidence says it doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Senate ’ s minority leader .
The evidence Schumer is referencing has grown significantly stronger in the weeks since Trump introduced hydroxychloroquine as a talking point .
At the heart of the current complaint is a study of VA patients funded by the National Institutes of Health and the University of Virginia that found a higher incidence of negative outcomes as a result of taking the drug .
As reported by The Inquisitr , 368 older , male patients took part in the study , which showed a significantly higher mortality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to those whose treatment plans did not include hydroxychloroquine .
It was not , however , a rigorous experiment , and calls for clinical trials and further testing are still being made .
More recently , a study involving 1,400 patients who were treated using hydroxychloroquine at New York City ’ s Columbia University found that the drug is “ not a panacea.
” However , the crux of Schumer ’ s probe is the drug ’ s use by the VA .
The senator is now calling upon VA Secretary Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of VA hospital data .
Wilkie is also being prompted to address whether anyone at the department was pressured by the Trump administration to use hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 .
For his part , Wilkie has denied that veterans were used as test subjects and claimed that the drug has actually been effective in treating younger and middle-aged veterans .
However , the AP notes that there is no published evidence to back those claims .