cnbc--2020-07-17--Senate candidate Jon Ossoff looks to young voters to help him flip Georgia blue

CNBC.com is interviewing candidates for federal office this summer to gain insight into their political vision for the U.S. and how it can impact the economic outlook for the 37 % of the 2020 electorate that is from the millennial and Gen Z generations .
Set to be the first American generations to be worse off than their parents , facing the threat of climate change and struggling with student debt , money matters matter to young voters in this election .
Experience : CEO of Insight TWI , an investigative journalism television production company ; candidate in the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of millennials and younger think the U.S. should prioritize renewables over fossil fuels , according to Pew Research .
Your state , Georgia , consistently ranks as a top state for solar power .
Would you like to see an even further expansion ?
Yes , and in the Senate , I 'll work to make Georgia America 's leading state in clean energy production .
I will fight for massive investment in clean and renewable energy and transitioning away from carbon-emitting energy production .
One of the things I 'm most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate and the White House , we will have a historic opportunity to chart a new course for our economy , to save our environment , to bring commerce and human economic activity into harmony with the planet and to make the kinds of transformative and revolutionary investments that will lay the foundations for centuries of prosperity and sustainability .
Young people get this , no matter how much money the oil and gas industry spends on propaganda and lobbying .
Young people get that we have to get our act together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a country but as a species , depends upon making these changes , taking our cues from science and cleaning up our act .
CNBC : According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment report , the sector of our economy that will be the most negatively impacted by climate change is the health-care sector , with weather-related health conditions predicted to increase in severity and unanticipated health threats likely to emerge .
What changes do you think are needed for our health-care system to prepare for an impending climate crisis ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for decades that if we do n't get greenhouse gas emissions under control and if we do n't decarbonize energy production , then climate change poses a dire threat to our health , to our economy and to our security .
We 've already seen this in Georgia .
We 've seen the effects on our state 's agricultural sector of intensifying tropical storms , storm surge , high-wind events , drought , higher temperatures and increased fire risk , which all has great implications for human health .
Step one is making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy necessary to get carbon emissions under control and build an economy that is sustainable .
Also , I hope that this Covid-19 pandemic is a massive wake-up call for anyone who still believes it 's not vital that every single American has great health insurance .
We have to recognize that health care and health itself are human rights .
I think young people get this too .
I think young people recognize that unless we 're looking out for everyone 's health , our individual and collective health are at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight for a strong public option which will give people more choices and compete with private insurers .
I will fight for dramatic Medicaid expansion to break the link between health and wealth .
I 'll also fight for resources to build more clinics and hospitals in underserved and marginalized communities here in Georgia .
I 'll work to expand the U.S. public health service so that we have the health-care professionals trained and available to serve the people here in Georgia .
Half of our counties have no Ob/Gyn physician .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country , more than 1.4 million Georgians with no health insurance at all .
We had a public health crisis even before Covid-19 .
The good news is that it 's no mystery how we solve it .
When we control the Senate and the White House , we will .
CNBC : Your campaign has focused a lot on criminal justice reform .
Currently in Georgia , marijuana is still not decriminalized .
In the U.S. Senate , would you push for nationwide marijuana decriminalization ?
I wo n't just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for nationwide legalization of cannabis .
The prohibition of this substance is irrational .
It 's hugely expensive .
It has a terrible human toll .
The fact that there are people doing time for nonviolent marijuana-related offenses while others are getting rich in the cannabis industry is a grave injustice .
I 'll fight for outright cannabis legalization , an end to incarceration for nonviolent drug offenses and expungement of records for nonviolent cannabis offenses .
CNBC : Since 2010 , Amazon has invested $ 3.6 billion in your home state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's fourth most-loved brand .
However , politicians from Donald Trump to AOC have attacked the company .
Is there a disconnect between young voters and leaders surrounding big tech ?
Amazon provides a great service , but its corporate behavior is unethical .
Jeff Bezos and Amazon shareholders are making enough money that they could treat their workers well and pay their fair share of federal taxes , still provide a great service and still make a lot of money .
Amazon should strengthen labor standards and increase worker pay .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their labor protections during this pandemic have been totally inadequate .
They 've retaliated against corporate whistleblowers , and they 're avoiding paying taxes while they benefit from all of the services of the federal government , whether that 's the air-traffic system , the way that the U.S. supports and backstops international commerce or all of the infrastructure that Amazon uses to make money .
They 're not contributing sufficiently to the public investment that makes their enterprise possible .
CNBC : According to Pew Research , Gen Z reports being hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over half of those polled saying they know someone who lost a job or had to take a pay cut .
How will you in the Senate not just try to bring back jobs but bring jobs back for vulnerable young Americans entering the workforce ?
We put four-year college up on a pedestal , but what a lot of young people need is free vocational training .
I support expanding not just free vocational training but in many cases paid vocational training .
That intersects with another core priority , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program that will include massive investment in clean energy , but also in transit and transportation , rural broadband , improving the electric grid and transforming our quality of life with investments and infrastructure that are long overdue .
We can train young people to be part of that effort and can get them skills so that they can move from gig work and low-paid wage work without benefits to good-paying steady jobs with benefits helping to rebuild America from this crisis .
We also need to look at how we can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health sector .
Right now we have a shortage of critical health-care workers .
We have parts of Georgia , for example , where you 're many , many miles away even from a primary-care physician or a nurse practitioner , let alone from a trauma center , and so I think expanding the U.S. public health service is another way we can generate economic opportunity for young people .
But here 's what I 'm really optimistic about .
Young people get it .
I do n't think young people are falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- -- .
I think that young people have a very clear-eyed understanding of what 's happening in our country and in our world and where we need to get to .
We need to get to a place where every single citizen is guaranteed equal justice under the law , where voting rights are sacrosanct , where we understand that human health is a human right , and where we understand that we do n't have to choose between prosperity and sustainability .
We can build an economy that 's clean and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think there 's tremendous unity and excitement among young people to get out and vote for candidates who support that agenda .
And that 's my agenda .
Who 's on your playlist ?
I 've been listening to lofi hip-hop , man , just to stay calm and cool and collected .
Have you heard of ChilledCow ?
Check it out .
What was your college major ?
International relations Best financial advice you 've ever received from your parents ?
Save more than you spend .
If you were a Gen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector would you enter ?
Well , in Georgia ?
I hope that in the next few years we 're going to have a lot of opportunities for young people in the renewable-energy sector and in public health .
Also , we need to reinvigorate public-interest journalism and investigative journalism in this country .

Campaign workers pose for photos with an Ossoff campaign bus in 2017. "Here's what I'm really optimistic about. Young people get it," Ossoff tells CNBC of his current run for the U.S. Senate. Bill Clark | CQ Roll Call via Getty Images
CNBC.com is interviewing candidates for federal office this summer to gain insight into their political vision for the U.S. and how it can impact the economic outlook for the 37% of the 2020 electorate that is from the millennial and Gen Z generations. Set to be the first American generations to be worse off than their parents, facing the threat of climate change and struggling with student debt, money matters matter to young voters in this election.
Vital stats
Name: Jon Ossoff Running For: Senate, Georgia, Democrat Opponent: Republican Sen. David Perdue Age: 33 Experience: CEO of Insight TWI, an investigative journalism television production company; candidate in the most expensive House race ever Education: Georgetown (BS), London School of Economics (MS) Family: Wife, Alisha Fundraising total: $4.1 million (through May 20) Current polling: Perdue +3 (Fox News, June 20–23); "Lean Republican" (Cook Political Report, May) CNBC: 78% of millennials and younger think the U.S. should prioritize renewables over fossil fuels, according to Pew Research. Your state, Georgia, consistently ranks as a top state for solar power. Would you like to see an even further expansion? Yes, and in the Senate, I'll work to make Georgia America's leading state in clean energy production. I will fight for massive investment in clean and renewable energy and transitioning away from carbon-emitting energy production. One of the things I'm most excited about is that when we win the Senate and the White House, we will have a historic opportunity to chart a new course for our economy, to save our environment, to bring commerce and human economic activity into harmony with the planet and to make the kinds of transformative and revolutionary investments that will lay the foundations for centuries of prosperity and sustainability. Young people get this, no matter how much money the oil and gas industry spends on propaganda and lobbying. Young people get that we have to get our act together and that our success, not just as a country but as a species, depends upon making these changes, taking our cues from science and cleaning up our act. CNBC: According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment report, the sector of our economy that will be the most negatively impacted by climate change is the health-care sector, with weather-related health conditions predicted to increase in severity and unanticipated health threats likely to emerge. What changes do you think are needed for our health-care system to prepare for an impending climate crisis? The evidence is clear and has been clear for decades that if we don't get greenhouse gas emissions under control and if we don't decarbonize energy production, then climate change poses a dire threat to our health, to our economy and to our security. We've already seen this in Georgia. We've seen the effects on our state's agricultural sector of intensifying tropical storms, storm surge, high-wind events, drought, higher temperatures and increased fire risk, which all has great implications for human health. Step one is making the aggressive investments in clean and renewable energy necessary to get carbon emissions under control and build an economy that is sustainable. Also, I hope that this Covid-19 pandemic is a massive wake-up call for anyone who still believes it's not vital that every single American has great health insurance. We have to recognize that health care and health itself are human rights.
Young people get it. I don't think young people are falling for the usual political propaganda and bull----. I think that young people have a very clear-eyed understanding of what's happening in our country and in our world and where we need to get to.
I think young people get this too. I think young people recognize that unless we're looking out for everyone's health, our individual and collective health are at risk. In the Senate, I will fight for a strong public option which will give people more choices and compete with private insurers. I will fight for dramatic Medicaid expansion to break the link between health and wealth. I'll also fight for resources to build more clinics and hospitals in underserved and marginalized communities here in Georgia. I'll work to expand the U.S. public health service so that we have the health-care professionals trained and available to serve the people here in Georgia. Half of our counties have no Ob/Gyn physician. We have among the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, more than 1.4 million Georgians with no health insurance at all. We had a public health crisis even before Covid-19. The good news is that it's no mystery how we solve it. When we control the Senate and the White House, we will. CNBC: Your campaign has focused a lot on criminal justice reform. Currently in Georgia, marijuana is still not decriminalized. In the U.S. Senate, would you push for nationwide marijuana decriminalization? I won't just push for decriminalization; I'll push for nationwide legalization of cannabis. The prohibition of this substance is irrational. It's hugely expensive. It has a terrible human toll. The fact that there are people doing time for nonviolent marijuana-related offenses while others are getting rich in the cannabis industry is a grave injustice. I'll fight for outright cannabis legalization, an end to incarceration for nonviolent drug offenses and expungement of records for nonviolent cannabis offenses. CNBC: Since 2010, Amazon has invested $3.6 billion in your home state. Morning Consult says Amazon is Gen Z's fourth most-loved brand. However, politicians from Donald Trump to AOC have attacked the company. Is there a disconnect between young voters and leaders surrounding big tech? Amazon provides a great service, but its corporate behavior is unethical. Jeff Bezos and Amazon shareholders are making enough money that they could treat their workers well and pay their fair share of federal taxes, still provide a great service and still make a lot of money. Amazon should strengthen labor standards and increase worker pay. The conditions in these warehouses are appalling. Their labor protections during this pandemic have been totally inadequate. They've retaliated against corporate whistleblowers, and they're avoiding paying taxes while they benefit from all of the services of the federal government, whether that's the air-traffic system, the way that the U.S. supports and backstops international commerce or all of the infrastructure that Amazon uses to make money. They're not contributing sufficiently to the public investment that makes their enterprise possible. CNBC: According to Pew Research, Gen Z reports being hit the hardest financially by Covid-19, with over half of those polled saying they know someone who lost a job or had to take a pay cut. How will you in the Senate not just try to bring back jobs but bring jobs back for vulnerable young Americans entering the workforce? We put four-year college up on a pedestal, but what a lot of young people need is free vocational training. I support expanding not just free vocational training but in many cases paid vocational training. That intersects with another core priority, which is that we need an unprecedented American infrastructure program that will include massive investment in clean energy, but also in transit and transportation, rural broadband, improving the electric grid and transforming our quality of life with investments and infrastructure that are long overdue. We can train young people to be part of that effort and can get them skills so that they can move from gig work and low-paid wage work without benefits to good-paying steady jobs with benefits helping to rebuild America from this crisis.
U.S. Senate candidate Jon Ossoff attends Juneteenth Voter Registration Concert & Rally at Murphy Park Fairgrounds on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Paras Griffin | Getty Images
We also need to look at how we can get more young people employed in the public health sector. Right now we have a shortage of critical health-care workers. We have parts of Georgia, for example, where you're many, many miles away even from a primary-care physician or a nurse practitioner, let alone from a trauma center, and so I think expanding the U.S. public health service is another way we can generate economic opportunity for young people. But here's what I'm really optimistic about. Young people get it. I don't think young people are falling for the usual political propaganda and bull----. I think that young people have a very clear-eyed understanding of what's happening in our country and in our world and where we need to get to. We need to get to a place where every single citizen is guaranteed equal justice under the law, where voting rights are sacrosanct, where we understand that human health is a human right, and where we understand that we don't have to choose between prosperity and sustainability. We can build an economy that's clean and green and growing and prosperous. I think there's tremendous unity and excitement among young people to get out and vote for candidates who support that agenda. And that's my agenda. Netflix or Hulu: Netflix Apple Music or Spotify: Apple Music Who's on your playlist? I've been listening to lofi hip-hop, man, just to stay calm and cool and collected. Have you heard of ChilledCow? Check it out. What was your college major? International relations Favorite TV Show: That's tough! "The Wire." Best financial advice you've ever received from your parents? Save more than you spend. If you were a Gen Z individual entering the workforce, what sector would you enter? Well, in Georgia? I hope that in the next few years we're going to have a lot of opportunities for young people in the renewable-energy sector and in public health. Also, we need to reinvigorate public-interest journalism and investigative journalism in this country. Is a hot dog a sandwich? No.


cnbc--2020-07-18--Rep. John Lewis, civil rights freedom fighter who rose to Congress, dies at 80

Rep. John Lewis is seen near the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Capitol Rotunda before a memorial service for Rep. Elijah Cummings , D-Md.
, Oct. 24 , 2019 .
Rep. John Lewis , the sharecroppers ' son who battled against segregation — getting his head bashed by an Alabama state trooper in Selma on `` Bloody Sunday '' 1965 — and later became a 17-term congressman from Georgia , has died .
He was 80 .
He died Friday , his family said .
He was diagnosed with cancer in December .
Lewis moved his fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus stations and streets of the South to the halls of Congress , where he was the Democrats ' senior chief deputy whip and member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee .
He waged his fight against Jim Crow segregation laws by advocating nonviolent change despite being physically attacked and arrested numerous times .
In Congress , he voted against the Gulf War and the Iraq War , led a sit-in on the House floor to demand gun control legislation , pressed for improved health care for the poor , tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rearguard effort to protect welfare benefits from cuts .
In his final tweet exactly a week before his death , he railed against the Trump administration 's aborted plan to rescind the visas of international students if their colleges provided only online classes during the coronavirus surge .
The White House on Saturday ordered that all U.S. flags `` at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds , at all military posts and naval stations , and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Territories and possessions '' be flown at half-staff in Lewis ' honor .
`` You have been a moral compass for the nation and a voice for freedom and democracy in the world , '' Margaret Renkl wrote in an opinion piece in The New York Times in January .
Days before she wrote that open letter to Lewis , the congressman announced that doctors had discovered he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer .
`` I have been in some kind of fight — for freedom , equality , basic human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now , '' he said in a statement at the time .
`` I have decided to do what I know to do and do what I have always done : I am going to fight it and keep fighting for the Beloved Community .
We still have many bridges to cross .
... With God 's grace I will be back on the front lines soon .
Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this journey . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection to an 18th term in Congress , and during the protests following the police killing of George Floyd , he visited a 2-block-long asphalt canvas on Washington 's 16th Street that says `` BLACK LIVES MATTER '' in giant yellow letters .
'It 's very moving .
Very moving .
Impressive , '' he told a local Fox TV reporter .
`` I think the people in D.C. and around the nation are sending a mightily powerful and strong message to the rest of the world that we will get there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 , 1940 , to Willie Mae and Eddie Lewis in Pike County , Alabama .
He grew up on the family 's cotton farm in Troy and attended all-Black public schools .
As a boy , he dreamed of becoming a minister .
`` With the help of my brothers and sisters and cousins , we would gather all of our chickens in the chicken yard , and I would start preaching to the chickens .
They never quite said 'Amen , ' '' he said in a StoryCorps segment that aired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was inspired by Rosa Parks ' refusal in 1955 to sit in the back of a bus in Montgomery , Alabama , in defiance of Jim Crow practices .
After graduating high school two years later , he wrote a letter to the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. , and the leader of the nascent civil rights movement accepted Lewis ' offer to help in the struggle .
King sent him a bus ticket to Montgomery and they met there .
`` I was so scared .
I did n't know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Lewis recalled on StoryCorps .
`` And Dr. King said , 'Are you the boy from Troy ?
And I said , 'Dr .
King , I am John Robert Lewis . '
I gave my whole name .
But he still called me the 'boy from Troy . '
'' He received a B.A .
in religion and philosophy from Fisk University and was a graduate of the American Baptist Theological Seminary , both in Nashville , Tennessee .
As a college student , he organized sit-ins against segregated lunch counters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined the Freedom Rides against segregation at bus terminals across the South , according to his congressional website .

Rep. John Lewis is seen near the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Capitol Rotunda before a memorial service for Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., Oct. 24, 2019.
Rep. John Lewis, the sharecroppers' son who battled against segregation — getting his head bashed by an Alabama state trooper in Selma on "Bloody Sunday" 1965 — and later became a 17-term congressman from Georgia, has died. He was 80.
He died Friday, his family said. He was diagnosed with cancer in December.
Lewis moved his fight from the lunch counters, schools, bus stations and streets of the South to the halls of Congress, where he was the Democrats' senior chief deputy whip and member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
He waged his fight against Jim Crow segregation laws by advocating nonviolent change despite being physically attacked and arrested numerous times. In Congress, he voted against the Gulf War and the Iraq War, led a sit-in on the House floor to demand gun control legislation, pressed for improved health care for the poor, tried to strengthen voting rights laws and fought a rearguard effort to protect welfare benefits from cuts.
In his final tweet exactly a week before his death, he railed against the Trump administration's aborted plan to rescind the visas of international students if their colleges provided only online classes during the coronavirus surge.
final tweet
The White House on Saturday ordered that all U.S. flags "at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions" be flown at half-staff in Lewis' honor.
"You have been a moral compass for the nation and a voice for freedom and democracy in the world," Margaret Renkl wrote in an opinion piece in The New York Times in January.
Days before she wrote that open letter to Lewis, the congressman announced that doctors had discovered he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
"I have been in some kind of fight — for freedom, equality, basic human rights — for nearly my entire life. I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now," he said in a statement at the time. "I have decided to do what I know to do and do what I have always done: I am going to fight it and keep fighting for the Beloved Community. We still have many bridges to cross. ... With God's grace I will be back on the front lines soon. Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this journey."
While battling cancer, he ran for reelection to an 18th term in Congress, and during the protests following the police killing of George Floyd, he visited a 2-block-long asphalt canvas on Washington's 16th Street that says "BLACK LIVES MATTER" in giant yellow letters.
'It's very moving. Very moving. Impressive," he told a local Fox TV reporter. "I think the people in D.C. and around the nation are sending a mightily powerful and strong message to the rest of the world that we will get there."
Ramirez tweet
John Robert Lewis was born Feb. 21, 1940, to Willie Mae and Eddie Lewis in Pike County, Alabama. He grew up on the family's cotton farm in Troy and attended all-Black public schools.
As a boy, he dreamed of becoming a minister.
"With the help of my brothers and sisters and cousins, we would gather all of our chickens in the chicken yard, and I would start preaching to the chickens. They never quite said 'Amen,'" he said in a StoryCorps segment that aired on NPR.
At 15, he was inspired by Rosa Parks' refusal in 1955 to sit in the back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in defiance of Jim Crow practices. After graduating high school two years later, he wrote a letter to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and the leader of the nascent civil rights movement accepted Lewis' offer to help in the struggle. King sent him a bus ticket to Montgomery and they met there.
"I was so scared. I didn't know what to say or what to do," Lewis recalled on StoryCorps. "And Dr. King said, 'Are you the boy from Troy? And I said, 'Dr. King, I am John Robert Lewis.' I gave my whole name. But he still called me the 'boy from Troy.'"
He received a B.A. in religion and philosophy from Fisk University and was a graduate of the American Baptist Theological Seminary, both in Nashville, Tennessee.
As a college student, he organized sit-ins against segregated lunch counters in Nashville, and in 1961 he joined the Freedom Rides against segregation at bus terminals across the South, according to his congressional website.


cnbc--2020-07-19--White House seeks to block funds for coronavirus testing and tracing in relief bill

US President Donald Trump holds up swabs as he speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House in Washington , DC , on April 19 , 2020 .
The White House is trying to block billions of dollars for coronavirus testing and contact tracing in the upcoming stimulus relief bill , two Republican sources told NBC News , even as infections surge across the country and Americans face long wait times to receive test results amid high demand .
Senate GOP lawmakers , in a break with the administration , are pushing back and trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the bill , the sources told NBC News .
Some White House officials reportedly believe new money should n't be allocated for testing because previous funds remain unspent .
The White House declined CNBC 's request for comment .
The Washington Post first reported the news .
The Trump administration also wants to block billions of dollars that would go toward bolstering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the Pentagon and the State Department to combat the pandemic , The Post reported Saturday , citing people familiar with the deliberations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Trump administration is trying to use the legislation to fund priorities unrelated to the pandemic such as a new FBI building , according to the Post .
The White House effort to block funding for testing comes after the administration relied on overly optimistic models which suggested the U.S. moved past the peak of the outbreak in the spring , according to a report in The New York Times .
As a result , the administration pushed to reopen the economy and shifted responsibility for responding to the pandemic from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results , according to the Times .
President Trump has called coronavirus testing a `` double-edged sword '' and suggested at a campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma that officials should slow testing down .
White House officials later said Trump was joking .
The Times ' report portrayed a president who feels trapped politically because cases counts inevitably increase as more people are tested , jeopardizing the reopening of the economy and damaging his re-election chances .
Trump , when confronted with a chart showing surging infections , dismissed the data in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Wallace that if the nation tested less there would be fewer cases .
The U.S. hit a record 77,225 new cases on July 16 , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
`` Chris , that 's because we have great testing , because we have the best testing in the world , '' Trump told Wallace .
`` If we did n't test , you would n't be able to show that chart .
If we tested half as much , those numbers would be down . ''
`` Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those cases should n't even be cases , '' the president said .
`` Cases are up because we have the best testing in the world and we have the most testing . ''
Trump said many infected people `` automatically '' recover from the virus .
Health officials have repeatedly pointed out that new cases have outpaced the increase in testing , which indicates that the virus is spreading rapidly in communities across the country .
When Wallace pointed to the European Union , which he said is reporting about 6,000 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's because `` they do n't test '' and declined to acknowledge differences in policy responses between Europe and the U.S .
The U.S. has reported on average 66,498 new cases of the coronavirus per day over the past seven days , up more than 15 % compared with a week ago , according to a CNBC analysis of data from Hopkins .
Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have reported growth in cases by at least 5 % , on average over the past week .
And Covid-19 deaths , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begun to tick up nationally , driven by a number of states with expanding outbreaks .
`` No country has ever done what we 've done in terms of testing .
We are the envy of the world , '' Trump said .
`` You look at other countries , they do n't even do tests .
They do tests if somebody walks into the hospital . ''
When asked about his relationship with White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci , one of the nation 's top infectious disease experts , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but added that `` he 's a little bit of an alarmist . ''
Trump also said that he does n't agree with Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield , who said earlier this week that if everyone wore a mask , the U.S. could bring the virus under control in one to two months .
The president continued to tout the strength of the economy before the virus arrived in the U.S. in January , adding that Democratic officials are `` purposefully '' keeping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many states have implemented costly public health measures to curb the spread of the virus such as shutting down bars and other businesses , closing schools and banning large gatherings .
Trump specifically bemoaned his campaign 's inability to host campaign rallies in Michigan , Minnesota and Nevada .
`` The Democrats are purposely keeping their schools closed , keeping their states closed , '' he said .
`` We 're not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states . ''
Sen .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to unveil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the Senate returns from its two-week Fourth of July recess .
The Republican last week said that `` kids in school , jobs and health care are likely to be the focus of the bill . ''
Leaders in the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate acknowledged earlier this month that they need to approve more aid to combat the disease 's raid spread while supporting the economy and schools .
The White House deliberations come as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to spike nationally .
Dozens of states encountered resurgences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. states have the virus under control and just three are on track to contain Covid-19 , according to the tracking project Covid Act Now .
On Saturday , the United States reported 71,558 new cases , according to data from Johns Hopkins University , marking the second consecutive day that the country has seen at least 70,000 new cases .
Average daily new cases have increased 18.34 % nationwide compared to one week ago as of Saturday , according to a CNBC analysis of Johns Hopkins ' data .
The coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14.3 million confirmed cases and over 600,000 deaths , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
The U.S. has had more than 3.7 million cases and at least 140,131 deaths , according to the latest tallies , more than any other country .
-- CNBC 's Jacob Pramuk and Will Feuer contributed to this report .

US President Donald Trump holds up swabs as he speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 19, 2020.
The White House is trying to block billions of dollars for coronavirus testing and contact tracing in the upcoming stimulus relief bill, two Republican sources told NBC News, even as infections surge across the country and Americans face long wait times to receive test results amid high demand.
Senate GOP lawmakers, in a break with the administration, are pushing back and trying to keep the money for testing and tracing in the bill, the sources told NBC News. Some White House officials reportedly believe new money shouldn't be allocated for testing because previous funds remain unspent.
The White House declined CNBC's request for comment. The Washington Post first reported the news.
The Trump administration also wants to block billions of dollars that would go toward bolstering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pentagon and the State Department to combat the pandemic, The Post reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the deliberations.
While moving to block testing assistance, the Trump administration is trying to use the legislation to fund priorities unrelated to the pandemic such as a new FBI building, according to the Post.
The White House effort to block funding for testing comes after the administration relied on overly optimistic models which suggested the U.S. moved past the peak of the outbreak in the spring, according to a report in The New York Times. As a result, the administration pushed to reopen the economy and shifted responsibility for responding to the pandemic from the federal government to the states with disastrous results, according to the Times.
President Trump has called coronavirus testing a "double-edged sword" and suggested at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma that officials should slow testing down. White House officials later said Trump was joking.
The Times' report portrayed a president who feels trapped politically because cases counts inevitably increase as more people are tested, jeopardizing the reopening of the economy and damaging his re-election chances.
Trump, when confronted with a chart showing surging infections, dismissed the data in a Fox News interview, telling anchor Chris Wallace that if the nation tested less there would be fewer cases. The U.S. hit a record 77,225 new cases on July 16, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
"Chris, that's because we have great testing, because we have the best testing in the world," Trump told Wallace. "If we didn't test, you wouldn't be able to show that chart. If we tested half as much, those numbers would be down."
"Well, cases are up -- many of those cases shouldn't even be cases," the president said. "Cases are up because we have the best testing in the world and we have the most testing."
Trump said many infected people "automatically" recover from the virus. Health officials have repeatedly pointed out that new cases have outpaced the increase in testing, which indicates that the virus is spreading rapidly in communities across the country.
When Wallace pointed to the European Union, which he said is reporting about 6,000 new cases per day, Trump said it's because "they don't test" and declined to acknowledge differences in policy responses between Europe and the U.S.
The U.S. has reported on average 66,498 new cases of the coronavirus per day over the past seven days, up more than 15% compared with a week ago, according to a CNBC analysis of data from Hopkins. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have reported growth in cases by at least 5%, on average over the past week. And Covid-19 deaths, which lag the diagnosis of cases, have begun to tick up nationally, driven by a number of states with expanding outbreaks.
"No country has ever done what we've done in terms of testing. We are the envy of the world," Trump said. "You look at other countries, they don't even do tests. They do tests if somebody walks into the hospital."
When asked about his relationship with White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation's top infectious disease experts, Trump said he spoke with him on Saturday, but added that "he's a little bit of an alarmist." Trump also said that he doesn't agree with Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield, who said earlier this week that if everyone wore a mask, the U.S. could bring the virus under control in one to two months.
The president continued to tout the strength of the economy before the virus arrived in the U.S. in January, adding that Democratic officials are "purposefully" keeping the economy shutdown to hurt his reelection effort. Many states have implemented costly public health measures to curb the spread of the virus such as shutting down bars and other businesses, closing schools and banning large gatherings. Trump specifically bemoaned his campaign's inability to host campaign rallies in Michigan, Minnesota and Nevada.
"The Democrats are purposely keeping their schools closed, keeping their states closed," he said. "We're not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states."
Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to unveil a coronavirus relief plan this coming week when the Senate returns from its two-week Fourth of July recess. The Republican last week said that "kids in school, jobs and health care are likely to be the focus of the bill."
Leaders in the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate acknowledged earlier this month that they need to approve more aid to combat the disease's spread while supporting the economy and schools.
The White House deliberations come as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to spike nationally. Dozens of states encountered resurgences after reopening their economies. Only nine U.S. states have the virus under control and just three are on track to contain Covid-19, according to the tracking project Covid Act Now.
On Friday, the United States reported 71,558 new cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, marking the second consecutive day that the country has seen at least 70,000 new cases. Average daily new cases have increased 18.34% nationwide compared to one week ago as of Friday, according to a CNBC analysis of Johns Hopkins' data.
The coronavirus outbreak has spread worldwide, with more than 14.3 million confirmed cases and over 600,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. has had more than 3.7 million cases and at least 140,131 deaths, according to the latest tallies, more than any other country.
— CNBC's Jacob Pramuk and Will Feuer contributed to this report.
Correction: The U.S. reported new 71,558 cases Friday and average daily new cases increased 18.34% as of Friday compared with one week prior. A previous version misstated the day.


cnbc--2020-07-19--President Trump won't agree to accept 2020 election results as Biden leads in polls — 'I have to see

President Trump won't agree to accept 2020 election results as Biden leads in polls — 'I have to see'

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office at the White House after receiving a briefing from top law enforcement officials on operations against the MS-13 gang in Washington , DC , on July 15 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump declined Sunday to say he would accept the results of the 2020 election , adding that he will `` have to see '' and claiming without evidence that mail-in voting will `` rig the election . ''
Trump 's comments came during a wide-ranging interview with `` Fox News Sunday '' host Chris Wallace in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly downplayed the coronavirus , which has infected more than 3.7 million people in the U.S. and killed at least 140,131 , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
During the interview , Wallace debuted the results of Fox News ' latest national poll , which showed Democratic candidate for president Joe Biden leading Trump by 8 % .
The poll showed Biden leading on specific issues as well , including a 1 % lead over Trump on the economy .
When presented with the results , Trump downplayed the findings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First of all , I 'm not losing because those are fake polls , '' he said .
`` They were fake in 2016 and now they 're even more fake . ''
Later in the interview , when Wallace asked whether Trump is a `` gracious '' loser , the president responded that `` it depends '' and repeated claims he has made in the past that mail-in voting could lead to widespread voter fraud .
With the coronavirus spreading rapidly across large swaths of the U.S. , some states have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce the risk of infection at in-person voting locations come November .
Trump has previously attacked efforts made by officials in Michigan and Nevada to expand vote-by-mail access , repeatedly saying that they will lead to voter fraud , though he has n't presented evidence to back up that claim .
`` I think mail-in voting is going to rig the election , '' he said in Sunday 's interview .
`` I really do . ''
Wallace pressed Trump on whether he will accept the results of the 2020 election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly .
`` I have to see .
Look , you—I have to see , '' he said .
`` No , I 'm not going to just say yes .
I 'm not going to say no . ''
Earlier in the interview , Trump downplayed the coronavirus pandemic , attributing the recent surge in cases to increased testing and saying that many infected people `` automatically '' recover from the virus .
Health officials have repeatedly pointed out that new cases have outpaced the increase in testing , which indicates that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country .
When Wallace pointed to the European Union , which he said is reporting about 6,000 new cases per day , Trump said it 's because `` they do n't test '' and declined to acknowledge differences in policy responses between Europe and the U.S .
The U.S. has reported on average 66,498 new cases of the coronavirus per day over the past seven days , up more than 15 % compared with a week ago , according to a CNBC analysis of data from Hopkins .
Thirty-six states and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases by at least 5 % , on average over the past week .
And Covid-19 deaths , which lag the diagnosis of cases , have begun to tick up nationally , driven by a number of states with expanding outbreaks .
`` No country has ever done what we 've done in terms of testing .
We are the envy of the world , '' Trump said .
`` You look at other countries , they do n't even do tests .
They do tests if somebody walks into the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci , one of the nation 's top infectious disease experts , Trump said he spoke with him on Saturday , but added that `` he 's a little bit of an alarmist . ''
Trump also said that he does n't agree with Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield , who said earlier this week that if everyone wore a mask , the U.S. could bring the virus under control in one to two months .
The president continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the virus arrived in the U.S. in January , adding that Democratic officials are `` purposefully '' keeping the economy shutdown to hurt his reelection effort .
Many states have implemented costly public health measures to curb the spread of the virus such as shutting down bars and other businesses , closing schools and banning large gatherings .
Trump specifically bemoaned his campaign 's inability to host campaign rallies in Michigan , Minnesota and Nevada .
`` The Democrats are purposely keeping their schools closed , keeping their states closed , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states . ''

President Donald Trump declined in an interview that aired Sunday to say he would accept the results of the 2020 election, adding that he will "have to see" and claiming without evidence that mail-in voting will "rig the election."
Trump's comments came during a wide-ranging interview with "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace in which he criticized so-called cancel culture and repeatedly downplayed the coronavirus, which has infected more than 3.7 million people in the U.S. and killed at least 140,131, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
During the interview, which was conducted earlier in the week, Wallace debuted the results of Fox News' latest national poll, which showed Democratic candidate for president Joe Biden leading Trump by 8%. The poll showed Biden leading on specific issues as well, including a 1% lead over Trump on the economy.
When presented with the results, Trump downplayed the findings as "fake polls."
"First of all, I'm not losing because those are fake polls," he said. "They were fake in 2016 and now they're even more fake."
Later in the interview, when Wallace asked whether Trump is a "gracious" loser, the president responded that "it depends" and repeated claims he has made in the past that mail-in voting could lead to widespread voter fraud.
With the coronavirus spreading rapidly across large swaths of the U.S., some states have made efforts to more readily accommodate mail-in voting to reduce the risk of infection at in-person voting locations come November. Trump has previously attacked efforts made by officials in Michigan and Nevada to expand vote-by-mail access, repeatedly saying that they will lead to voter fraud, though he hasn't presented evidence to back up that claim.
"I think mail-in voting is going to rig the election," he said in the interview. "I really do."
Wallace pressed Trump on whether he will accept the results of the 2020 election, but Trump declined to answer the question directly.
"I have to see. Look, you—I have to see," he said. "No, I'm not going to just say yes. I'm not going to say no."
Asked for comment on Trump's remarks, Tim Murtaugh, communications director for Trump's reelection campaign, said in a statement to CNBC on Monday that mail-in voting is just one way Democrats are trying "to eliminate protections for election integrity."
Earlier in the interview, Trump downplayed the coronavirus pandemic, attributing the recent surge in cases to increased testing and saying that many infected people "automatically" recover from the virus. Health officials have repeatedly pointed out that new cases have outpaced the increase in testing, which indicates that the virus is spreading rapidly in communities across the country.
When Wallace pointed to the European Union, which he said is reporting about 6,000 new cases per day, Trump said it's because "they don't test" and declined to acknowledge differences in policy responses between Europe and the U.S.
The U.S. has reported on average 66,498 new cases of the coronavirus per day over the past seven days, up more than 15% compared with a week ago, according to a CNBC analysis of data from Hopkins. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have reported growth in cases by at least 5%, on average over the past week. And Covid-19 deaths, which lag the diagnosis of cases, have begun to tick up nationally, driven by a number of states with expanding outbreaks.
"No country has ever done what we've done in terms of testing. We are the envy of the world," Trump said. "You look at other countries, they don't even do tests. They do tests if somebody walks into the hospital."
When asked about his relationship with White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation's top infectious disease experts, Trump said he had spoken with Fauci the day before the interview, but added that "he's a little bit of an alarmist." Trump also said that he doesn't agree with Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield, who said earlier this week that if everyone wore a mask, the U.S. could bring the virus under control in one to two months.
The president continued to tout the strength of the economy before the virus arrived in the U.S. in January, adding that Democratic officials are "purposefully" keeping the economy shutdown to hurt his reelection effort. Many states have implemented costly public health measures to curb the spread of the virus such as shutting down bars and other businesses, closing schools and banning large gatherings. Trump specifically bemoaned his campaign's inability to host campaign rallies in Michigan, Minnesota and Nevada.
"The Democrats are purposely keeping their schools closed, keeping their states closed," he said. "We're not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states."
Correction: An earlier version incorrectly reported when Trump made his remarks in the interview. The interview aired Sunday but was recorded last week.


cnbc--2020-07-19--House Democrats call for an investigation into Trump's use of force against protestors in Portland

Protesters seen near the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17 , 2020 in Portland , Oregon .
Federal law enforcement agencies attempt to intervene as protests continue in Portland .
House Democrats on Sunday called for an immediate investigation into reports that federal law enforcement agents have unlawfully arrested protestors in Portland , Oregon in recent days .
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler , Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson , and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney co-signed a letter on Sunday condemning the recent law enforcement actions authorized by the Trump administration in Portland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Inspectors General of the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to open investigations .
Reports surfaced that as early as July 14 , federal law enforcement agents have been using unmarked vehicles in Portland to arrest those participating in protests , which were initially sparked by the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day weekend .
Federal authorities , including the U.S .
Marshals ' Special Operations Group , and a tactical unit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection , have allegedly arrested , searched and detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights .
On Sunday , Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler told CNN 's Jake Tapper on `` State of the Union '' that the presence of federal troops and enforcement officers is actually leading to `` more violence and more vandalism , '' adding that it 's not helping the situation .
`` The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland is abhorrent , '' Wheeler says .
`` People are being scooped off the streets into unmarked vans and rental cars , '' he added , saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to due process .
U.S. Border Patrol said in a statement that its `` agents have been deployed to Portland in direct support of the Presidential Executive Order and the newly established DHS Protecting American Communities Task Force ( PACT ) . ''
`` As a law enforcement component under DHS , CBP will be providing support , as needed at the request of the Federal Protective Service , to protect Federal facilities and property , '' Border Patrol said .
A Marshals ' Service spokeswoman told CNBC that while the agency does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear identification on their uniforms .
Additionally agents do let individuals know why they are being detained .
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Wolf condemned local leaders ' resistance to additional law enforcement , saying in a letter issued Thursday that Portland `` has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city . ''
President Trump also defended sending in federal agents on Sunday , saying that his administration is `` are trying to help Portland , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recent events in Portland , the House Democrats are also asking the inspectors general to investigate the actions taken by President Trump to clear protestors in Washington D.C. Last month , riot police from several federal agencies , including the Bureau of Prisons Crisis Management teams , were called in to forcibly clear protestors from Lafayette Square in front of the White House in Washington D.C. so President Donald Trump could participate in a photo-op in front of St. John 's Church .
`` The legal basis for this use of force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not at all clear that the Attorney General and the Acting Secretary are authorized to deploy federal law enforcement officers in this manner , '' the Democratic lawmakers write .

Protesters seen near the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Federal law enforcement agencies attempt to intervene as protests continue in Portland.
House Democrats on Sunday called for an immediate investigation into reports that federal law enforcement agents have unlawfully arrested protestors in Portland, Oregon in recent days.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney co-signed a letter on Sunday condemning the recent law enforcement actions authorized by the Trump administration in Portland and last month in Washington D.C. and called for the Inspectors General of the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security to open investigations.
"The Attorney General of the United States does not have unfettered authority to direct thousands of federal law enforcement personnel to arrest and detain American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights. The Acting Secretary [Chad Wolf] appears to be relying on an ill-conceived executive order meant to protect historic statues and monuments as justification for arresting American citizens in the dead of night."
Reports surfaced that as early as July 14, federal law enforcement agents have been using unmarked vehicles in Portland to arrest those participating in protests, which were initially sparked by the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day weekend. Federal authorities, including the U.S. Marshals' Special Operations Group, and a tactical unit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, have allegedly arrested, searched and detained individuals without proper notification of their Miranda Rights.
On Sunday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" that the presence of federal troops and enforcement officers is actually leading to "more violence and more vandalism," adding that it's not helping the situation.
"The tactics that the Trump administration are using on the streets of Portland is abhorrent," Wheeler says. "People are being scooped off the streets into unmarked vans and rental cars," he added, saying that those detained are being denied their right to due process.
U.S. Border Patrol said in a statement that its "agents have been deployed to Portland in direct support of the Presidential Executive Order and the newly established DHS Protecting American Communities Task Force (PACT)."
"As a law enforcement component under DHS, CBP will be providing support, as needed at the request of the Federal Protective Service, to protect Federal facilities and property," Border Patrol said.
A Marshals' Service spokeswoman told CNBC that while the agency does use unmarked vehicles, its personnel wear clear identification on their uniforms. Additionally agents do let individuals know why they are being detained.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Wolf condemned local leaders' resistance to additional law enforcement, saying in a letter issued Thursday that Portland "has been under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob while local political leaders refuse to restore order to protect their city."
President Trump also defended sending in federal agents on Sunday, saying that his administration is "are trying to help Portland, not hurt it."
In addition to the recent events in Portland, the House Democrats are also asking the inspectors general to investigate the actions taken by President Trump to clear protestors in Washington D.C. Last month, riot police from several federal agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons Crisis Management teams, were called in to forcibly clear protestors from Lafayette Square in front of the White House in Washington D.C. so President Donald Trump could participate in a photo-op in front of St. John's Church.
"The legal basis for this use of force has never been explained—and, frankly, it is not at all clear that the Attorney General and the Acting Secretary are authorized to deploy federal law enforcement officers in this manner," the Democratic lawmakers write.


cnbc--2020-07-19--How nonprofit Color of Change applies pressure to fight racial inequality

As protests against racial inequality continue , the nonprofit Color of Change is turning to major companies and police forces around the country to push for significant changes in policy , product and behavior .
The organization , a Black Lives Matter partner , has been waging their own war on racial inequality for over a decade , working as a change maker within the spheres of culture and media representation of Black people and experiences .
Color of Change 's latest fight is with Facebook , which has received pressure from hundreds of advertisers threatening to boycott the platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company 's failure to properly prevent the spread of hate speech and misinformation .
`` About a thousand corporations have stood with this boycott .
Many brands that no one would call social justice warriors are standing with social justice leaders in this moment because everyone recognizes the threat that Facebook provides if they are not reined in , '' said Rashad Robinson , president and executive director of Color of Change , in a recent interview on CNBC 's `` Squawk Alley . ''
`` Corporations do not want their ads and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content and to have to hear Mark Zuckerberg talk about how he 's not going to be held accountable . ''
In defense , Facebook tasked a group of auditors to evaluate its policies , leading to an independent review with disappointing results , according to numerous leaders in the civil rights space .
The audit zeroed in on Facebook 's decision to leave up a post from President Donald Trump using the phrase `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts , '' in response to protests over the police killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Memorial Day .
Trump 's post echoed a phrase used by a Miami police chief in the 1960s , widely interpreted as a violent threat against protesters .
`` After the company publicly left up the looting and shooting post , more than five political and merchandise ads have run on Facebook sending the same dangerous message that 'looters ' and 'Antifa terrorists ' can or should be shot by armed citizens , '' the auditors wrote in an 89-page report .
The ad boycott campaign , led by Color of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with major brands like Unilever , Coca-Cola , and Starbucks pulling their ads from the social network .
The issue has put Facebook in a precarious position and is likely to come up on July 27 when CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify before the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee .
Facebook is n't the only company feeling the heat .
Color of Change , founded in 2005 , is rattling large TV and streaming companies like Netflix and Fox .
Already , Color of Change has shaken up legacy media outlets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Cops '' in 2013 from Fox , one of the network 's leading shows for 25 years up until that point .
The show then was picked up by the Paramount Network .
But last month the television channel announced it would cancel the show amid protests against police brutality in the wake of Floyd 's death .
For years , Color of Change has argued that the show glorified police officers and unfairly portrayed low-income people as villains .
To paint `` the poor people who have been already targeted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Robinson in an interview with CNBC .
A similar battle is brewing .
Up next for Color of Change is an effort to replicate their experience with `` Cops , '' shifting their focus to other shows that also depict police officers in a flattering light without considering the practices they disproportionately inflict on people of color .
`` We are really focused on reality cop shows , which set up a relationship with police where they 're only going to be shown in positive lights and sets up a world that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targets and shows certain types of communities , '' Robinson said .
Earlier this year , the organization put together a report , called `` Normalizing Injustice , '' which outlines practices producers and industry executives can follow to make crime television shows more realistic .
The report found that crime TV as a genre `` plays a considerable role in advancing distorted representations of crime , justice , race and gender in media and culture , '' according to the press release .
`` These fictitious depictions build on false perceptions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intersects with race and gender while ignoring many important realities . ''
Crime TV also has among the least diverse crews of showrunners and writers , the report found .
More than 81 % of showrunners of 26 shows studied are white men , and 20 out of 26 shows either have no Black writers or just one Black writer , according to the study .
Because much of their recent work is focused on the relationship between law enforcement and people of color , Robinson maintains that the organization 's relationship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the country have welcomed discourse with Color of Change on the topics of police brutality and its disproportionate impact on people of color , Robinson told CNBC .
The police `` is not a monolith , '' he said .
`` I 've actually had very good conversations with police chiefs .
And it does n't mean that we always agree .
It just means that we are having conversations and I feel like there is a sharing of perspectives . ''
One law enforcement body , the Fraternal Order of Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conversation , Robinson said .
`` They want more militarized policing and they want more control over our communities and have failed in their fundamental responsibility to keep us safe time and time again , '' Robinson said of the group , which is made up of over 330,000 sworn law enforcement officers nationwide .
Robinson recalled a surprising meeting at the White House in 2016 after the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile when former President Barack Obama was in office .
During this meeting , Robinson was discussing racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being stopped and frisked while walking through Central Park .
Also present was Bryan Stevenson , the lawyer who successfully appealed the murder conviction of Walter McMillian and wrote the book `` Just Mercy , '' which became a movie starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx .
As the two spoke , `` the head of the Fraternal Order of Police interrupts me and says all of this talk of racial profiling is new to me , '' Robinson said .
In the meeting with heavyweight civil rights leaders Robinson and Stevenson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of other activists , '' the FOP head felt `` completely comfortable with not saying , ' I do n't agree , ' '' Robinson said .
`` He did n't say , ' I do n't agree with your demands . '
He did n't say , ' I think you guys are overstating the problem . '
He gas-lit us to basically believe that the problem does n't exist . ''
Robinson conceded that afterwards he heard from other police chiefs who had also been in the room when the exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about what they heard , a bit of encouragement for Robinson that came out of what had become a sour meeting .
And despite having many forces open to hearing from them , the nature of their work `` makes it so that we are not a fan favorite of the police , '' Robinson said .
The Fraternal Order of Police did n't immediately respond to a request for comment .
The silver lining is that police forces are generally under local jurisdiction , meaning that Color of Change can go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local leaders about police reform .
It also means that external influences like the Fraternal Order of Police and the White House do not have the power to command the police or stop reforms from happening .
Since President Donald Trump entered office , Color of Change has not engaged the White House and there are no plans to do so in the near future , Robinson said .
`` You ca n't engage an institution that does n't want to be engaged and does n't believe in engagement , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House that thinks that there were 'fine people ' on the other side of Charlottesville , '' he said , referring to the protests and clashes of 2017 in the Virginia city .
`` This is a grifter White House that uses issues to stoke resentment , to stoke attention , but does n't actually want to solve problems .
And it 's all a reality show .
And so , you know , we are trying to deal with serious issues here and trying to advance serious causes . ''
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground , so Color of Change does n't need the White House 's cooperation or approval to keep their operations going .
But if former Vice President Joe Biden wins the presidency come November , Color of Change will `` absolutely '' engage the White House , Robinson said , adding that it 's not a partisan issue because the group has worked with Republican lawmakers to fight for small Black-owned businesses .
Instead , the issue is with Trump himself , he said .
`` This is a president that has supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Robinson said .
`` We would n't know where to start , and going hat in hand to a person who time and time again has proven themselves to not be a stable force for change would be a mistake . ''
The White House did n't immediately respond to a request for comment .
These efforts have widened Color of Change 's reach , leading to a ramp-up in fundraising and membership .
The organization has quadrupled its membership count from 1.7 million to 7 million people in the last few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview with the New York Times , Robinson said that Color of Change has received `` hundreds of thousands of individual donations '' in the last few weeks .
`` More folks have reached out wanting to support our work as they become aware of who we are , '' Robinson told CNBC .
`` And we think it 's a rallying cry for us to grow our reach and deepen our efforts . ''
Color of Change has a policy against taking direct financial contributions from corporations , but corporate donations have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests continue nationwide .
The group 's board has plans to redistribute those donations to various black-led organizations , the Times reported .
Because Color of Change does n't accept corporate donations , `` we are really continuing to rely on the support of individuals and foundations all around the country who believe in racial justice and believe that we need strong organizations to achieve it , '' Robinson said .
The process begins with open conversation .
To communicate with these large companies in an effort to get closer to a society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Change tries to engage first before applying pressure in the form of a campaign .
`` We try to really understand what the arguments are on the other side , '' Robinson said .
But if initial discussions do n't seem pointed toward progress or understanding , Color of Change can use its vast backing to press these companies to reconsider .
There 's no one strategy that fits every company .
For Facebook , the ad boycott campaign has put the social media giant on the defensive as it loses millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each company and institution , Color of Change looks at gaps it can strategically use to navigate their concerns .
`` If a network relies on advertisers , there may be a space '' to apply pressure , Robinson said .
And while some campaigns are more visually obvious than others – like targeting shows readily available on Netflix or daytime television – more frequently , it 's the employees of a company who sound the alarms and invite Color of Change to get involved .
`` Lots of times , employees of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are on the outside , and oftentimes do n't have the same level of power to speak up on the inside , particularly black employees and employees who see who see themselves as allies of black folks , '' Robinson said .

Rashad Robinson speaks onstage during the BET "Finding Justice" Atlanta premiere at The Foundry At Puritan Mill on March 04, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Paras Griffin | Getty Images
As protests against racial inequality continue, the nonprofit Color of Change is turning to major companies and police forces around the country to push for significant changes in policy, product and behavior. The organization, a Black Lives Matter partner, has been waging their own war on racial inequality for over a decade, working as a change maker within the spheres of culture and media representation of Black people and experiences. Color of Change's latest fight is with Facebook , which has received pressure from hundreds of advertisers threatening to boycott the platform because of what the organization calls the company's failure to properly prevent the spread of hate speech and misinformation. "About a thousand corporations have stood with this boycott. Many brands that no one would call social justice warriors are standing with social justice leaders in this moment because everyone recognizes the threat that Facebook provides if they are not reined in," said Rashad Robinson, president and executive director of Color of Change, in a recent interview on CNBC's "Squawk Alley." "Corporations do not want their ads and their brands showing up to white nationalist content and to have to hear Mark Zuckerberg talk about how he's not going to be held accountable." In defense, Facebook tasked a group of auditors to evaluate its policies, leading to an independent review with disappointing results, according to numerous leaders in the civil rights space. The audit zeroed in on Facebook's decision to leave up a post from President Donald Trump using the phrase "when the looting starts, the shooting starts," in response to protests over the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, on Memorial Day. Trump's post echoed a phrase used by a Miami police chief in the 1960s, widely interpreted as a violent threat against protesters.
watch now
"After the company publicly left up the looting and shooting post, more than five political and merchandise ads have run on Facebook sending the same dangerous message that 'looters' and 'Antifa terrorists' can or should be shot by armed citizens," the auditors wrote in an 89-page report. The ad boycott campaign, led by Color of Change, has gained significant traction, with major brands like Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks pulling their ads from the social network. The issue has put Facebook in a precarious position and is likely to come up on July 27 when CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify before the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee.
Media representation
Facebook isn't the only company feeling the heat. Color of Change, founded in 2005, is rattling large TV and streaming companies like Netflix and Fox. Already, Color of Change has shaken up legacy media outlets. The group rallied for the cancellation of "Cops" in 2013 from Fox, one of the network's leading shows for 25 years up until that point. The show then was picked up by the Paramount Network. But last month the television channel announced it would cancel the show amid protests against police brutality in the wake of Floyd's death. For years, Color of Change has argued that the show glorified police officers and unfairly portrayed low-income people as villains. To paint "the poor people who have been already targeted and attacked doesn't serve us," said Robinson in an interview with CNBC. A similar battle is brewing. Up next for Color of Change is an effort to replicate their experience with "Cops," shifting their focus to other shows that also depict police officers in a flattering light without considering the practices they disproportionately inflict on people of color. "We are really focused on reality cop shows, which set up a relationship with police where they're only going to be shown in positive lights and sets up a world that is not actually accurate and only really targets and shows certain types of communities," Robinson said.
A street sign of Black Lives Matter Plaza is seen near St. John's Episcopal Church, as the protests against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd continue, in Washington, June 5, 2020. Carlos Barria | Reuters
Earlier this year, the organization put together a report, called "Normalizing Injustice," which outlines practices producers and industry executives can follow to make crime television shows more realistic. The report found that crime TV as a genre "plays a considerable role in advancing distorted representations of crime, justice, race and gender in media and culture," according to the press release. "These fictitious depictions build on false perceptions of the criminal justice system and how it intersects with race and gender while ignoring many important realities." Crime TV also has among the least diverse crews of showrunners and writers, the report found. More than 81% of showrunners of 26 shows studied are white men, and 20 out of 26 shows either have no Black writers or just one Black writer, according to the study.
Working with the police
Because much of their recent work is focused on the relationship between law enforcement and people of color, Robinson maintains that the organization's relationship with the police is complicated. Many forces around the country have welcomed discourse with Color of Change on the topics of police brutality and its disproportionate impact on people of color, Robinson told CNBC. The police "is not a monolith," he said. "I've actually had very good conversations with police chiefs. And it doesn't mean that we always agree. It just means that we are having conversations and I feel like there is a sharing of perspectives." One law enforcement body, the Fraternal Order of Police, has never been receptive to such a conversation, Robinson said. "They want more militarized policing and they want more control over our communities and have failed in their fundamental responsibility to keep us safe time and time again," Robinson said of the group, which is made up of over 330,000 sworn law enforcement officers nationwide. Robinson recalled a surprising meeting at the White House in 2016 after the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile when former President Barack Obama was in office. During this meeting, Robinson was discussing racial profiling, sharing his own experience of being stopped and frisked while walking through Central Park. Also present was Bryan Stevenson, the lawyer who successfully appealed the murder conviction of Walter McMillian and wrote the book "Just Mercy," which became a movie starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. As the two spoke, "the head of the Fraternal Order of Police interrupts me and says all of this talk of racial profiling is new to me," Robinson said. In the meeting with heavyweight civil rights leaders Robinson and Stevenson, as well as "a roomful of other activists," the FOP head felt "completely comfortable with not saying, 'I don't agree,'" Robinson said. "He didn't say, 'I don't agree with your demands.' He didn't say, 'I think you guys are overstating the problem.' He gas-lit us to basically believe that the problem doesn't exist." Robinson conceded that afterwards he heard from other police chiefs who had also been in the room when the exchange went down. They reached out to talk about what they heard, a bit of encouragement for Robinson that came out of what had become a sour meeting. And despite having many forces open to hearing from them, the nature of their work "makes it so that we are not a fan favorite of the police," Robinson said. The Fraternal Order of Police didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The White House factor
The silver lining is that police forces are generally under local jurisdiction, meaning that Color of Change can go from state to state talking with governors and local leaders about police reform. It also means that external influences like the Fraternal Order of Police and the White House do not have the power to command the police or stop reforms from happening. Since President Donald Trump entered office, Color of Change has not engaged the White House and there are no plans to do so in the near future, Robinson said. "You can't engage an institution that doesn't want to be engaged and doesn't believe in engagement," he explained. "And this is a White House that thinks that there were 'fine people' on the other side of Charlottesville," he said, referring to the protests and clashes of 2017 in the Virginia city. "This is a grifter White House that uses issues to stoke resentment, to stoke attention, but doesn't actually want to solve problems. And it's all a reality show. And so, you know, we are trying to deal with serious issues here and trying to advance serious causes." So much of the work happens on the ground, so Color of Change doesn't need the White House's cooperation or approval to keep their operations going. But if former Vice President Joe Biden wins the presidency come November, Color of Change will "absolutely" engage the White House, Robinson said, adding that it's not a partisan issue because the group has worked with Republican lawmakers to fight for small Black-owned businesses. Instead, the issue is with Trump himself, he said. "This is a president that has supported, engaged and uplifted white nationalists," Robinson said. "We wouldn't know where to start, and going hat in hand to a person who time and time again has proven themselves to not be a stable force for change would be a mistake." The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Behind the scenes
These efforts have widened Color of Change's reach, leading to a ramp-up in fundraising and membership. The organization has quadrupled its membership count from 1.7 million to 7 million people in the last few weeks, Robinson said. In an interview with the New York Times, Robinson said that Color of Change has received "hundreds of thousands of individual donations" in the last few weeks. "More folks have reached out wanting to support our work as they become aware of who we are," Robinson told CNBC. "And we think it's a rallying cry for us to grow our reach and deepen our efforts." Color of Change has a policy against taking direct financial contributions from corporations, but corporate donations have been flooding in as the waves of protests continue nationwide. The group's board has plans to redistribute those donations to various black-led organizations, the Times reported. Because Color of Change doesn't accept corporate donations, "we are really continuing to rely on the support of individuals and foundations all around the country who believe in racial justice and believe that we need strong organizations to achieve it," Robinson said. The process begins with open conversation. To communicate with these large companies in an effort to get closer to a society where racial justice does exist, Color of Change tries to engage first before applying pressure in the form of a campaign. "We try to really understand what the arguments are on the other side," Robinson said. But if initial discussions don't seem pointed toward progress or understanding, Color of Change can use its vast backing to press these companies to reconsider. There's no one strategy that fits every company. For Facebook, the ad boycott campaign has put the social media giant on the defensive as it loses millions of dollars in advertising money.
People participate in a march in Brooklyn for both Black Lives Matter and to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth on June 19, 2020 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-07-20--Biden pledges to end Trump's 'Muslim ban' on his first day in office

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday pledged that if he is elected president , he will end President Donald Trump 's so-called Muslim travel ban on his first day in office .
`` I will end the Muslim ban on day one .
Day one .
And I will work with Congress to pass hate crimes legislation like the Jabara-Heyer No Hate Act and the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act , '' Biden said to attendees of the Million Muslim Votes Summit , an online conference hosted by the nation 's largest Muslim-American political group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ president in 2017 was to suspend entry to the United States of travelers from seven majority Muslim nations : Iran , Iraq , Libya , Somalia , Sudan , Syria and Yemen , for 90 days .
The executive order created chaos at airports around the world , and lawsuits against the ban quickly followed .
After federal judges barred the first ban 's implementation , Trump issued a second ban that was also quickly tied up in federal courts .
A third version of the ban was issued by the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this one applied to six majority Muslim countries and two non-majority Muslim countries .
The following year , the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the third ban , which remains in place today .
Speaking on Monday , Biden said Muslim communities `` were the first to feel Donald Trump 's assault on black and brown people with his vile Muslim ban .
That fight was the opening barrage in what has been nearly four years of constant pressure , insults and attacks '' by Trump against minorities .
Biden pointed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America over the past three years and to several recently announced Trump political appointees who have expressed openly Islamophobic views .
`` Donald Trump has fanned the flames of hate in this country across the board , '' said Biden , `` through his words , his policies , his appointments and his deeds . ''
Reached for comment , Trump campaign spokeswoman Courtney Parella told CNBC , `` President Trump understands that our faith is what unites us as a nation .
He has and will continue to staunchly defend religious freedoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads Trump by an average of 8.6 points in national polls , according to Real Clear Politics ' polling average .
And while polling of Muslims is limited , a 2018 Pew Research survey found only 13 % of American Muslims identified as Republicans , a number that has changed little over the past decade .
Thus far in his reelection campaign , however , Trump has shown little interest in reaching out to groups that have n't traditionally supported him , choosing instead to champion issues such as Confederate monuments and law @ @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday pledged that if he is elected president, he will end President Donald Trump's so-called Muslim travel ban on his first day in office.
"I will end the Muslim ban on day one. Day one. And I will work with Congress to pass hate crimes legislation like the Jabara-Heyer No Hate Act and the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act," Biden said to attendees of the Million Muslim Votes Summit, an online conference hosted by Emgage Action, the nation's largest Muslim-American political group.
One of Trump's first actions as president in 2017 was to suspend entry to the United States of travelers from seven majority Muslim nations: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, for 90 days. The executive order created chaos at airports around the world, and lawsuits against the ban quickly followed.
After federal judges barred the first ban's implementation, Trump issued a second ban that was also quickly tied up in federal courts.
A third version of the ban was issued by the White House in the fall of 2017, and this one applied to six majority Muslim countries and two non-majority Muslim countries. The following year, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the third ban, which remains in place today.
Speaking on Monday, Biden said Muslim communities "were the first to feel Donald Trump's assault on black and brown people with his vile Muslim ban. That fight was the opening barrage in what has been nearly four years of constant pressure, insults and attacks" by Trump against minorities.
Biden pointed to the rise in reported hate crimes in America over the past three years and to several recently announced Trump political appointees who have expressed openly Islamophobic views.
"Donald Trump has fanned the flames of hate in this country across the board," said Biden, "through his words, his policies, his appointments and his deeds."
Reached for comment, Trump campaign spokeswoman Courtney Parella told CNBC, "President Trump understands that our faith is what unites us as a nation. He has and will continue to staunchly defend religious freedoms for all Americans."
Biden currently leads Trump by an average of 8.6 points in national polls, according to Real Clear Politics' polling average. And while polling of Muslims is limited, a 2018 Pew Research survey found only 13% of American Muslims identified as Republicans, a number that has changed little over the past decade.
Thus far in his reelection campaign, however, Trump has shown little interest in reaching out to groups that haven't traditionally supported him, choosing instead to champion issues such as Confederate monuments and law enforcement that excite his base.


cnbc--2020-07-20--Trump says face masks are 'patriotic' after months of largely resisting wearing one

But up until his tweet Monday , Trump has taken a less full-throated approach .
As multiple states experience a record-breaking surge in coronavirus cases , masks have been embraced by business leaders , politicians of both major parties and even Trump administration health officials .
The tweet from Trump , appearing to endorse the use of face coverings in public , follows months of mixed messages on whether he believed they were an essential tool to help prevent transmission of the disease .
`` Many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There is nobody more Patriotic than me , your favorite President ! ''
Trump 's tweet refers to Covid-19 as the `` Invisible China Virus '' – a name for the disease he has frequently been criticized for using – and features a black-and-white photo of him wearing a mask .
President Donald Trump offered his strongest endorsement yet for wearing face masks in public , tweeting Monday that it is a `` Patriotic '' action to take during the coronavirus pandemic .
In a Fox News interview that aired Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I do n't agree with the statement that if everybody wear a mask everything disappears . ''
The president was responding to remarks made by Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a member of the White House coronavirus task force , who said that if `` everybody '' wore masks , the virus could be under control in a matter of weeks .
`` All of sudden everybody 's got to wear a mask , and as you know masks cause problems , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added : `` With that being said , I 'm a believer in masks .
I think masks are good . ''
Trump has largely refused to wear a mask in public .
He notes that it 's not necessary for him as president , because nearly everyone in his proximity is tested for Covid-19 before they approach him .
But he has declined to don a face covering in numerous public settings throughout the crisis , including at a Honeywell factory in Arizona that produces masks .
When the CDC in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using a face covering in public areas where social distancing was unfeasible , Trump made the announcement himself – but while delivering the news , he said , `` I do n't think I 'm going to be doing it . ''
Trump 's skepticism toward masks , as well as his broad refusal to wear one even as a symbolic gesture , have played a role in the issue dividing Americans along partisan lines , experts say .
`` Unfortunately , as with much of science and health , the issue became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I think the president bears a lot of responsibility for that , '' said Michael Sparer , professor and chair of health policy and management at Columbia University , in an interview with CNBC on Monday before Trump 's tweet .
Only twice since the pandemic began has Trump been seen wearing a mask , and only once did he wear one in full view of the press .
He openly wore a mask for the first time just this month , during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters , `` I 've never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place . ''
But it remained unclear at what time and place Trump considered masks appropriate .
`` I think his messaging has been extraordinarily inconsistent , '' Sparer said .
The implicit message of Trump wearing a mask in a hospital and taking it off in other public settings , the professor said , is that deciding when and where to wear a mask is an individual choice .
`` We do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice to wear a seat belt .
We do n't tell people they have the freedom of choice not to wear a motorcycle helmet , '' Sparer said .
`` There are certain public health actions that we take on behalf of the public . ''
The Trump administration has been criticized for failing to show strong leadership by allowing states to disregard the federal government 's social distancing recommendations and set their own rules on how to combat the pandemic .
The administration has also repeatedly rebuffed pressure from Democrats and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Masks were not always championed by public health officials .
In March and April , when hospitals in hot-spot states faced dire shortages of personal protective equipment , experts pushed back on Trump 's own suggestion that Americans use scarves to cover their faces in public .
At that time , there was little empirical evidence to support the claim that cloth coverings could help slow the spread of the virus .
But new information about asymptomatic transmission prompted the CDC and others to update their guidance shortly after .
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. states have put in place statewide mandates requiring people to wear masks .
More than 140,000 people have died due to the coronavirus in the United States , according to a Johns Hopkins University tally .
More than 3.8 million have been infected .
Trump 's tweet also came after his announcement that he would resume daily coronavirus briefings at the White House , as his approval rating for handling the crisis has plummeted , and he has lost significant ground in polls to Democratic rival Joe Biden .
The next briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ET , Trump and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said .

But up until his tweet Monday, Trump has taken a less full-throated approach.
As multiple states experience a record-breaking surge in coronavirus cases, masks have been embraced by business leaders, politicians of both major parties and even Trump administration health officials.
The tweet from Trump, appearing to endorse the use of face coverings in public, follows months of mixed messages on whether he believed they were an essential tool to help prevent transmission of the disease.
"Many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can't socially distance," Trump tweeted. "There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President!"
Trump's tweet refers to Covid-19 as the "Invisible China Virus" – a name for the disease he has frequently been criticized for using – and features a black-and-white photo of him wearing a mask.
President Donald Trump offered his strongest endorsement yet for wearing face masks in public, tweeting Monday that it is a "Patriotic" action to take during the coronavirus pandemic .
In a Fox News interview that aired Sunday, for instance, Trump said, "I don't agree with the statement that if everybody wear a mask everything disappears." The president was responding to remarks made by Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, who said that if "everybody" wore masks, the virus could be under control in a matter of weeks.
"All of sudden everybody's got to wear a mask, and as you know masks cause problems, too," Trump told Fox.
But he added: "With that being said, I'm a believer in masks. I think masks are good."
Trump has largely refused to wear a mask in public. He notes that it's not necessary for him as president, because nearly everyone in his proximity is tested for Covid-19 before they approach him. But he has declined to don a face covering in numerous public settings throughout the crisis, including at a Honeywell factory in Arizona that produces masks.
When the CDC in early April changed its guidance to recommend using a face covering in public areas where social distancing was unfeasible, Trump made the announcement himself – but while delivering the news, he said, "I don't think I'm going to be doing it."
Trump's skepticism toward masks, as well as his broad refusal to wear one even as a symbolic gesture, have played a role in the issue dividing Americans along partisan lines, experts say.
"Unfortunately, as with much of science and health, the issue became extraordinarily politicized [during the pandemic] and I think the president bears a lot of responsibility for that," said Michael Sparer, professor and chair of health policy and management at Columbia University, in an interview with CNBC on Monday before Trump's tweet.
Only twice since the pandemic began has Trump been seen wearing a mask, and only once did he wear one in full view of the press.
He openly wore a mask for the first time just this month, during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Before arriving there, Trump told reporters, "I've never been against masks but I do believe they have a time and a place."
But it remained unclear at what time and place Trump considered masks appropriate.
"I think his messaging has been extraordinarily inconsistent," Sparer said. The implicit message of Trump wearing a mask in a hospital and taking it off in other public settings, the professor said, is that deciding when and where to wear a mask is an individual choice.
"We don't tell people they have the freedom of choice to wear a seat belt. We don't tell people they have the freedom of choice not to wear a motorcycle helmet," Sparer said. "There are certain public health actions that we take on behalf of the public."
The Trump administration has been criticized for failing to show strong leadership by allowing states to disregard the federal government's social distancing recommendations and set their own rules on how to combat the pandemic.
The administration has also repeatedly rebuffed pressure from Democrats and other groups to enact a national mask mandate.
Masks were not always championed by public health officials. In March and April, when hospitals in hot-spot states faced dire shortages of personal protective equipment, experts pushed back on Trump's own suggestion that Americans use scarves to cover their faces in public.
At that time, there was little empirical evidence to support the claim that cloth coverings could help slow the spread of the virus. But new information about asymptomatic transmission prompted the CDC and others to update their guidance shortly after.
As of Monday, more than half of all U.S. states have put in place statewide mandates requiring people to wear masks.
More than 140,000 people have died due to the coronavirus in the United States, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally. More than 3.8 million have been infected.
Trump's tweet also came after his announcement that he would resume daily coronavirus briefings at the White House, as his approval rating for handling the crisis has plummeted, and he has lost significant ground in polls to Democratic rival Joe Biden. The next briefing will be held Tuesday around 5 p.m. ET, Trump and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said.