foxnews--2020-03-23--Grisham defends tougher Trump stance

Grisham defends tougher Trump stance

This is a rush transcript from `` MediaBuzz , '' March 22 , 2020 .
This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated .
HOWARD KURTZ , HOST : This is a Fox News alert .
I 'm Howard Kurtz in Washington .
New York Governor , Andrew Cuomo , is about to brief reporters on the situation in his state , the hardest hit by the coronavirus .
Virginia Governor , Ralph Northam , is speaking as well .
In a dip into Governor Cuomo ( Inaudible ) this as the number of confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark this morning .
Vice President Pence and his wife Karen said last night they have tested negative for the virus .
Hawaii has offered -- ordered a mandatory two week quarantine for all new arrivals , Italy reporting 793 more deaths just yesterday , the largest one-day increase by far .
And NBC audio technician , Larry Edgeworth , has died after contracting the coronavirus .
His wife said he also suffered from other health ailments .
President Trump in recent days has been taking a much tougher and far more aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters he 's always taken the virus seriously .
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP : This is a pandemic .
I 've felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic .
KURTZ : But a review of the president 's comments in January , February , and earlier this month suggest otherwise .
UNIDENTIFIED MALE : Are you worried about a pandemic at this point ?
TRUMP : No , not at all .
And we have it totally under control .
It is one person coming in from China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's going to be just fine .
Now , the Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus .
You know that , right , coronavirus .
And this is their new hoax .
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE : Are you concerned that the virus is getting closer to the White House and D.C. ?
TRUMP : No , I 'm not concerned at all .
No , I 'm not .
You know , we 've done a great job .
KURTZ : The president is no longer soft-pedalling the magnitude of this crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or August .
TRUMP : We have a problem that a month ago nobody ever thought about .
This is a bad one .
This is a very bad one .
This is bad in the sense that it 's so contagious .
KURTZ : And many in the media welcoming the president 's new and sharper tone .
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE : He is being the kind of leader that people need , at least in tone , today and yesterday .
UNIDENTIFIED MALE : The president 's tone has changed .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessarily or , frankly , something that should be expected to continue .
This is where he should have been all along .
UNIDENTIFIED MALE : The president was sober .
He actually -- he did what a president 's supposed to do .
He delivered the bad news .
KURTZ : Joining us now here in Washington is Stephanie Grisham , the White House Press Secretary .
Welcome , I may have to interrupt our conversation to get to -- to cover Governor Cuomo for at least a couple of minutes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media are welcoming , even praising the president 's new and more aggressive tone , even as some journalists say he should have been speaking and acting this way much earlier .
What caused the shift ?
STEPHANIE GRISHAM , WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY : You know I do n't know that there was a shift per se .
You 've got to remember .
The president , he declared a national health emergency in January .
He took his decisive action to shut down the borders with China very , very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bold actions since then , including shutting down borders with Europe .
So he has acted appropriately as we have learned and had new developments about this virus .
KURTZ : But , you know , many programs have played clips similar to what I just did .
Many have written stories in which the president said things like we have totally got it under control .
So it does seem -- you know -- take my word for it .
It seems , to many people , Stephanie , that earlier he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of the full scale mobilization .
GRISHAM : Well , the virus we -- the virus was n't where it was today at the beginning either .
And I would also say I do n't know why the media has to continue to look backwards .
You 've got to -- KURTZ : All right .
Let me pause you right there .
Let me pause you right there .
Governor Andrew Cuomo .
KURTZ : We 'll continue to monitor Governor Cuomo 's briefing in New York .
He 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back Stephanie Grisham , the White House Press Secretary .
You just heard Andrew Cuomo say that the federal government should nationalize the acquisition of medical supplies because the states ca n't do it on their own .
The states are competing among themselves for masks and so forth .
Is that something that could be under consideration ?
GRISHAM : Well , I mean , we 'll see what happens .
The task force is meeting every day , multiple times a day .
I 've got to tell you .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this administration has been working around the clock with the leadership of the vice president and the president , 24 hours a day , 7 days a week .
People are not stopping .
So they 're doing everything they can to help keep the country safe and healthy .
That is the president 's priority .
So they 've been working on that .
And we 'll see what happens .
We 'll see what next steps have to be taken .
KURTZ : Before we interrupted for Governor Cuomo , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press focusing on various things the president had to say in January , February , and much of March , which they say did n't match the coming crisis even though there were n't that many cases in the U.S. You want to pick up that point ?
GRISHAM : Yeah .
I would just want to say that the president did n't have a crystal ball there .
And he has acted appropriately .
He has acted appropriately from the beginning .
As I said , he started in January and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he started back in January , working towards how important this virus has become for our country .
And he has only ramped up those efforts .
Again , the task force is meeting every singling day .
They 're briefing the public every single day , including the president .
All they 're focused on is to make sure that the American people are getting the information .
I do n't think it 's appropriate right now for the press to be going backwards .
There 's no reason to go backwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when .
We 've got a crisis on our hands .
We 've got a coronavirus in this country .
And the press should -- they have got a real opportunity , if you ask me , to also spread great information to this public and give information that our task force is trying to get out there .
KURTZ : Right .
Well , journalists would say that looking at the record is part of our scrutiny .
But let 's get the specifics here .
So the president the other day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House Correspondent , Peter Alexander , as you know .
He had asked a question about the president was talking about a couple of malaria drugs .
He does n't know whether they would be effective against coronavirus but was willing to support further research .
He said are you giving false hope to people over these drugs ?
And then Alexander said that what do you have to say to millions of scared Americans .
The president said Peter Alexander had asked a nasty question and he was a terrible reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
GRISHAM : Well , I want to point out before I answer that question .
The president just the day before , I believe it was or prior to the day before to that , had said that he felt that the media coverage was actually pretty fair .
So he has given credit where it 's due .
In that instance , the fact that he , a reporter , is asking if he 's giving false hope to the American people , I think that was inappropriate .
He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helm of this country .
And it is his job as president to try and comfort this country .
And make sure that they know that they 're working towards options that will help people .
It is his job to show , not only leadership , but try to calm the American people .
So to come after him and say he 's giving false hope , I think , was wildly inappropriate .
And I believe that 's how he reacted the way he did .
KURTZ : Well , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's John King reacted by calling the president 's response to Peter Alexander BS .
He used the actual word on the air .
And MSNBC 's Rachel Maddow said cable news should n't even carry these virus briefings live , because she says the president is spreading misinformation , your response ?
GRISHAM : Well , the irony there about -- now , they should n't have briefings is not lost on me , certainly .
But it does n't surprise me that either of those networks or that cable channel would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point .
Right now , they need to set aside their bias against this president .
And we need to do what this White House is doing and show leadership and try to get information to the American public .
That is your job as journalists .
KURTZ : At another briefing , the president responded to a question from One America News about whether some in the media was supposedly siding with Chinese Communist Party propaganda , by ripping into the New York Times , the Washington Post , the Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ siding with China .
What did he mean ?
GRISHAM : There have been many , many outlets that have printed that the Chinese government is doing all that they can and that they are showing leadership towards this virus , and that 's not the case .
There 's also , you know , there have been reporters who have jumped to calling it the Chinese virus racist .
He was talking about that .
Again , this is the media outlets ripping into the president because they can .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He did n't call the virus a hoax .
He called the way the Democrats and media are treating it as just another hoax and that they 're trying to take him down .
This president is focused on the American people , so should the media , period .
KURTZ : Well , I would just point out that those three papers , among many others , have reported about the lies and the cover-up and the censorship and suppression of China in the early outbreak there .
And that Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times , Washington Post , and The Wall Street Journal .
But let me move on , because with the sever stock market losses , much of the country shut down .
The president is pushing a financial rescue plan on the Hill , could cost almost a trillion and a half dollars to taxpayers , to small businesses , to affected industries .
Has n't the Republican Party always been against what some call big government bailouts ?
GRISHAM : I think that they still are , but this is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got people who are being told to stay home , especially small businesses , you 've got people in the service industry who are not able to work .
It 's important that we take care of those people .
The president has said many times that the economy will bounce back .
He believes that to be true .
Under his leadership , he has made our economy boom .
So we 're able to do this .
Again , I think this is just an extraordinary circumstance .
And it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country are taken care of right now .
KURTZ : Stephanie , you also work for the first lady .
Rick Wilson , an anti- Trump Republican pundit , took aim the other day at Melania Trump who , of course , has her BE BEST campaign , after an announcement that she would involved in public service announcements about the coronavirus , if we can put this up .
He tweeted her picture with the hashtag be infected .
A lot of criticism , he refused to apologize , your reaction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small fraction of a man he is .
We 're in a crisis right now .
And Mrs. Trump is doing what she always does .
She 's working to try and help children and families especially understand that this is temporary .
And there are things that people can be doing at home .
The fact that he did that , I really do hope that the particular cable network that he goes on .
I hope that Don Lemon especially will insist on not having him on anymore .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have done that to somebody , it would be headline news everywhere .
This has already been forgotten .
But again , the bottom line is Mrs. Trump , the president , the vice president , this entire White House , is focused on this country .
And if people want to be small and petty about it , you know , that 's their choice .
KURTZ : All right .
I 've got about 20 seconds .
The president , of course , is entitled to criticize any media coverage he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis and anxiety in America , might it be better if he can just try to stay above the fray in terms of dealing with the press ?
GRISHAM : I think he has stayed above the fray .
I think he 's gone out every single day and faced the press .
He has absolutely stayed above the fray .
But when he is working 24 hours a day , 7 days a week , and he sees doctors and everybody in our administration working and the press are choosing to attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to frustrate him .
And he 's going to fight back and he 's going to defend what we 're doing .
And I think that 's absolutely warranted .
GRISHAM : The press , the media , our administration , everybody should be working for this country together .
KURTZ : Well , you 're defending the administration as well .
You do it well .
We appreciate you coming on , Stephanie Grisham , White House Press Secretary .
KURTZ : And we will return now with this Fox News alert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York , briefing reporters in Albany .
KURTZ : New York Governor Andrew Cuomo scolding people in New York City for getting together in large numbers in places like Central Park , also calling on the federal government to nationalize the acquisition of medical supplies , saying the states ca n't do it on their own .
Let 's bring in our guests now .
We have Mollie Hemingway of The Federalist here in Washington , also Ray Suarez , former PBS NewsHour correspondent , and in Los Angeles , radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me start with Mollie and Ray .
I want to go back to President Trump and the briefings this week on the coronavirus .
I mentioned earlier a reporter , Chanel Rion from One America News asking the president whether he considers the term `` Chinese food '' racist as a way of ridiculing the critics of the president using the term `` Chinese virus , '' and here 's how it went down .
CHANEL RION , OAN CORRESPONDENT : Major left-wing news media even in this room have teamed up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming you 're racist .
DONALD TRUMP , PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES : It amazes me when I read The Wall Street Journal , which is always so negative .
It amazes me when I read The New York Times is not even -- I do n't -- I barely read it .
The Washington Post is going wild lately .
I do n't know what happened to them .
They are siding with China .
KURTZ : Mollie , the president says these newspapers who have just been banned by Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see any evidence of that ?
MOLLIE HEMINGWAY , FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR , SENIOR EDITOR AT THE FEDERALIST , SENIOR JOURNALISM FELLOW AT HILLSDALE COLLEGE : Well , first of all , there are differences between each of these papers .
I think if you look at their front page , The Wall Street Journal tends to play it pretty straight .
The New York Times and The Washington Post less so .
They do a lot of critical analysis of the president .
We 're really seeing that this is a complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the challenge .
Already , you know , even if it 's an apolitical story , they sensationalize things .
They are unable to provide context .
That 's even true if it 's like a shark attack .
When you 're dealing with a complicated public health , economic , constitutional issues like what we 're going through now , they 're just not doing a particularly good job , and their need for Trump to fail at all costs which they 've shown that they are obsessed with for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ray , there 's a difference between criticizing the media coverage as the president does all the time and saying that these organizations are siding with China .
What are your thoughts ?
RAY SUAREZ , KQED CO-HOST , FORMER PBS NEWS CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT : It 's just a ramping up of the same kind of rhetoric that was present in the briefing room earlier in the Trump administration .
If you look carefully at the pages of all three newspapers , you 'll find reported the attempts of the Chinese government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the early days of the virus .
You 'll find reporting on the extensive measures that the Chinese government took to throttle freedom of movement and freedom of speech when it would have helped to have people able to speak freely about how to respond to the virus .
And you 'll see reporting about how China is now today trying to win the PR battle by pivoting toward giving materials and supplies and advice - - SUAREZ : -- to countries around the world that are having problem to response -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm coming up on a hard break .
Leslie , half a minute , Joe Biden says he 's going to start doing coronavirus briefing himself tomorrow .
He and the campaign have basically been kind of wiped off the radar by the coronavirus .
Would you agree ?
LESLIE MARSHALL , FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR : Well , yeah , absolutely .
But Joe Biden does n't suffer from this as much as Senator Sanders does because he was n't out there doing as many big rallies and also Senator Sanders is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do -- MARSHALL : -- so Joe Biden can focus on giving that message which does start on Monday , you are correct .
KURTZ : All right .
Let me get the hard break in here , and we 'll be back on the other side .
KURTZ : At the White House , NBC 's Peter Alexander asked whether the president was giving people a false sense of hope by touting the possible effects of two malaria drugs on the coronavirus , and then this happened .
PETER ALEXANDER , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you say to Americans who are scared though ?
I guess nearly 200 dead , 14,000 who are sick , millions , as you witnessed , who are scared right now .
What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared ?
D. TRUMP : I say that you 're a terrible reporter .
That 's what I say .
D. TRUMP : I think it 's a very nasty question , and I think it 's a very bad signal that you 're putting out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are looking for answers and they 're looking for hope .
And you 're doing sensationalism , and the same with NBC and Comcast .
I do n't call it Comcast .
I call it `` con-cast . ''
KURTZ : Mollie Hemingway , what does the president get out of saying this was a nasty question ?
It was n't in fact a nasty or unfair question .
HEMINGWAY : Well , in a vacuum , the question was totally fine .
The three minutes preceding that question , which were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Trump was doing , accusing him of trying to harm the American people , it was the part that I think bothered the president .
And it 's important when people report about it , that they do include that context of what led up to this moment .
And this general approach of being so negative against the president , I think , does n't wear as well as a lot of people in the media think it does .
KURTZ : Ray Suarez , your thoughts on that stuff with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grisham telling me earlier that she does n't think it 's appropriate for the media to be looking back at the president who some say minimized this for weeks and weeks and weeks .
Is that part of our job or should we be just focused on today and tomorrow ?
SUAREZ : If you 're press secretary for somebody who has said wrong , incorrect , and misleading things about the state of play for months , that 's probably a good position to take .
We were not at 15 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it .
A test was not available to every American who wanted one when he said it .
It 's not each true today .
So why would n't Stephanie Grisham suggest that we should n't keep looking back ?
The job for any president is to be careful , consistent and credible , and I guess we can do a post-mortem when this is all over or whether the president succeeded -- KURTZ : That will have to wait .
Leslie Marshall , I asked you about Joe Biden .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week and barely any coverage .
Has the coronavirus basically frozen the presidential campaign right now ?
MARSHALL : No .
The coronavirus has taken over as the leading news item because it 's affecting so many people .
It 's so rapid , it 's unprecedented .
It is nothing that we 've ever seen in any of our lifetimes because the last epidemic or pandemic on this level was about 100 years ago , according to my husband , the doctor , and other medical professionals .
People are frightened -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick -- KURTZ : You ca n't because the computer is going to cut us off .
MARSHALL : -- a leader has to calm the nation .
KURTZ : Thank you so much .
We 'll see you next week with more about it with more `` MediaBuzz . ''
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This is a rush transcript from "MediaBuzz," March 22, 2020. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.
HOWARD KURTZ, HOST: This is a Fox News alert. I'm Howard Kurtz in Washington. New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, is about to brief reporters on the situation in his state, the hardest hit by the coronavirus. Virginia Governor, Ralph Northam, is speaking as well. In a dip into Governor Cuomo (Inaudible) this as the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. passed the 26,000 mark this morning.
Vice President Pence and his wife Karen said last night they have tested negative for the virus. Hawaii has offered -- ordered a mandatory two week quarantine for all new arrivals, Italy reporting 793 more deaths just yesterday, the largest one-day increase by far. And NBC audio technician, Larry Edgeworth, has died after contracting the coronavirus. His wife said he also suffered from other health ailments.
President Trump in recent days has been taking a much tougher and far more aggressive stance against the coronavirus, and he told reporters he's always taken the virus seriously.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: This is a pandemic. I've felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KURTZ: But a review of the president's comments in January, February, and earlier this month suggest otherwise.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you worried about a pandemic at this point?
TRUMP: No, not at all. And we have it totally under control. It is one person coming in from China. And we have it under control. It's going to be just fine. Now, the Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus. You know that, right, coronavirus. And this is their new hoax.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you concerned that the virus is getting closer to the White House and D.C.?
TRUMP: No, I'm not concerned at all. No, I'm not. You know, we've done a great job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KURTZ: The president is no longer soft-pedalling the magnitude of this crisis, saying the virus could last until July or August.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: We have a problem that a month ago nobody ever thought about. This is a bad one. This is a very bad one. This is bad in the sense that it's so contagious.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KURTZ: And many in the media welcoming the president's new and sharper tone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He is being the kind of leader that people need, at least in tone, today and yesterday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The president's tone has changed. This is not something that should be applauded necessarily or, frankly, something that should be expected to continue. This is where he should have been all along.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The president was sober. He actually -- he did what a president's supposed to do. He delivered the bad news.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KURTZ: Joining us now here in Washington is Stephanie Grisham, the White House Press Secretary. Welcome, I may have to interrupt our conversation to get to -- to cover Governor Cuomo for at least a couple of minutes. As I said, many people in the media are welcoming, even praising the president's new and more aggressive tone, even as some journalists say he should have been speaking and acting this way much earlier. What caused the shift?
STEPHANIE GRISHAM, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: You know I don't know that there was a shift per se. You've got to remember. The president, he declared a national health emergency in January. He took his decisive action to shut down the borders with China very, very early. And he's taken many bold actions since then, including shutting down borders with Europe.
So he has acted appropriately as we have learned and had new developments about this virus.
KURTZ: But, you know, many programs have played clips similar to what I just did. Many have written stories in which the president said things like we have totally got it under control. So it does seem -- you know -- take my word for it. It seems, to many people, Stephanie, that earlier he was not where he is today in terms of the full scale mobilization.
GRISHAM: Well, the virus we -- the virus wasn't where it was today at the beginning either. And I would also say I don't know why the media has to continue to look backwards. You've got to --
(CROSSTALK)
KURTZ: All right. Let me pause you right there. Let me pause you right there. Governor Andrew Cuomo.
(NEWS BREAK)
KURTZ: We'll continue to monitor Governor Cuomo's briefing in New York. He's been doing this daily. Let's bring back Stephanie Grisham, the White House Press Secretary. You just heard Andrew Cuomo say that the federal government should nationalize the acquisition of medical supplies because the states can't do it on their own.
The states are competing among themselves for masks and so forth. Is that something that could be under consideration?
GRISHAM: Well, I mean, we'll see what happens. The task force is meeting every day, multiple times a day. I've got to tell you. And I want to tell the public that this administration has been working around the clock with the leadership of the vice president and the president, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People are not stopping.
So they're doing everything they can to help keep the country safe and healthy. That is the president's priority. So they've been working on that. And we'll see what happens. We'll see what next steps have to be taken.
KURTZ: Before we interrupted for Governor Cuomo, you were about to make a point about the press focusing on various things the president had to say in January, February, and much of March, which they say didn't match the coming crisis even though there weren't that many cases in the U.S. You want to pick up that point?
GRISHAM: Yeah. I would just want to say that the president didn't have a crystal ball there. And he has acted appropriately. He has acted appropriately from the beginning. As I said, he started in January and declared a public health emergency. So he started back in January, working towards how important this virus has become for our country.
And he has only ramped up those efforts. Again, the task force is meeting every singling day. They're briefing the public every single day, including the president. All they're focused on is to make sure that the American people are getting the information. I don't think it's appropriate right now for the press to be going backwards.
There's no reason to go backwards and figure out tick-tocks of what happened when. We've got a crisis on our hands. We've got a coronavirus in this country. And the press should -- they have got a real opportunity, if you ask me, to also spread great information to this public and give information that our task force is trying to get out there.
KURTZ: Right. Well, journalists would say that looking at the record is part of our scrutiny. But let's get the specifics here. So the president the other day really got into it with NBC's White House Correspondent, Peter Alexander, as you know. He had asked a question about the president was talking about a couple of malaria drugs.
He doesn't know whether they would be effective against coronavirus but was willing to support further research. He said are you giving false hope to people over these drugs? And then Alexander said that what do you have to say to millions of scared Americans. The president said Peter Alexander had asked a nasty question and he was a terrible reporter. What was nasty about those questions?
GRISHAM: Well, I want to point out before I answer that question. The president just the day before, I believe it was or prior to the day before to that, had said that he felt that the media coverage was actually pretty fair. So he has given credit where it's due. In that instance, the fact that he, a reporter, is asking if he's giving false hope to the American people, I think that was inappropriate.
He's the commander-in-chief. He is at the helm of this country. And it is his job as president to try and comfort this country. And make sure that they know that they're working towards options that will help people. It is his job to show, not only leadership, but try to calm the American people. So to come after him and say he's giving false hope, I think, was wildly inappropriate. And I believe that's how he reacted the way he did.
KURTZ: Well, it was a question. Now, CNN's John King reacted by calling the president's response to Peter Alexander BS. He used the actual word on the air. And MSNBC's Rachel Maddow said cable news shouldn't even carry these virus briefings live, because she says the president is spreading misinformation, your response?
GRISHAM: Well, the irony there about -- now, they shouldn't have briefings is not lost on me, certainly. But it doesn't surprise me that either of those networks or that cable channel would attack him. And that's not the point. Right now, they need to set aside their bias against this president. And we need to do what this White House is doing and show leadership and try to get information to the American public. That is your job as journalists.
KURTZ: At another briefing, the president responded to a question from One America News about whether some in the media was supposedly siding with Chinese Communist Party propaganda, by ripping into the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and saying they are siding with China. What did he mean?
GRISHAM: There have been many, many outlets that have printed that the Chinese government is doing all that they can and that they are showing leadership towards this virus, and that's not the case. There's also, you know, there have been reporters who have jumped to calling it the Chinese virus racist. He was talking about that.
Again, this is the media outlets ripping into the president because they can. This is why earlier he called it a hoax. He didn't call the virus a hoax. He called the way the Democrats and media are treating it as just another hoax and that they're trying to take him down. This president is focused on the American people, so should the media, period.
KURTZ: Well, I would just point out that those three papers, among many others, have reported about the lies and the cover-up and the censorship and suppression of China in the early outbreak there. And that Beijing has booted out reporters from the New York Times, Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. But let me move on, because with the sever stock market losses, much of the country shut down.
The president is pushing a financial rescue plan on the Hill, could cost almost a trillion and a half dollars to taxpayers, to small businesses, to affected industries. Hasn't the Republican Party always been against what some call big government bailouts?
GRISHAM: I think that they still are, but this is an unusual situation. And when you've got people who are being told to stay home, especially small businesses, you've got people in the service industry who are not able to work. It's important that we take care of those people. The president has said many times that the economy will bounce back. He believes that to be true.
Under his leadership, he has made our economy boom. So we're able to do this. Again, I think this is just an extraordinary circumstance. And it's very important that the people of this country are taken care of right now.
KURTZ: Stephanie, you also work for the first lady. Rick Wilson, an anti- Trump Republican pundit, took aim the other day at Melania Trump who, of course, has her BE BEST campaign, after an announcement that she would involved in public service announcements about the coronavirus, if we can put this up. He tweeted her picture with the hashtag be infected. A lot of criticism, he refused to apologize, your reaction.
GRISHAM: I think it shows what a small fraction of a man he is. We're in a crisis right now. And Mrs. Trump is doing what she always does. She's working to try and help children and families especially understand that this is temporary. And there are things that people can be doing at home. The fact that he did that, I really do hope that the particular cable network that he goes on.
I hope that Don Lemon especially will insist on not having him on anymore. If a Republican -- excuse me, would have done that to somebody, it would be headline news everywhere. This has already been forgotten. But again, the bottom line is Mrs. Trump, the president, the vice president, this entire White House, is focused on this country. And if people want to be small and petty about it, you know, that's their choice.
KURTZ: All right. I've got about 20 seconds. The president, of course, is entitled to criticize any media coverage he wants. But at this time of crisis and anxiety in America, might it be better if he can just try to stay above the fray in terms of dealing with the press?
GRISHAM: I think he has stayed above the fray. I think he's gone out every single day and faced the press. He has absolutely stayed above the fray. But when he is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and he sees doctors and everybody in our administration working and the press are choosing to attack him on occasion, that's going to frustrate him.
And he's going to fight back and he's going to defend what we're doing. And I think that's absolutely warranted.
KURTZ: Right.
GRISHAM: The press, the media, our administration, everybody should be working for this country together.
KURTZ: Well, you're defending the administration as well. You do it well. We appreciate you coming on, Stephanie Grisham, White House Press Secretary.
GRISHAM: Thank you.
KURTZ: And we will return now with this Fox News alert to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Democratic Governor of New York, briefing reporters in Albany.
(NEWS BREAK)
KURTZ: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo scolding people in New York City for getting together in large numbers in places like Central Park, also calling on the federal government to nationalize the acquisition of medical supplies, saying the states can't do it on their own.
Let's bring in our guests now. We have Mollie Hemingway of The Federalist here in Washington, also Ray Suarez, former PBS NewsHour correspondent, and in Los Angeles, radio talk show host Leslie Marshall.
Let me start with Mollie and Ray. I want to go back to President Trump and the briefings this week on the coronavirus. I mentioned earlier a reporter, Chanel Rion from One America News asking the president whether he considers the term "Chinese food" racist as a way of ridiculing the critics of the president using the term "Chinese virus," and here's how it went down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHANEL RION, OAN CORRESPONDENT: Major left-wing news media even in this room have teamed up with Chinese communist party narratives and they are claiming you're racist. DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It amazes me when I read The Wall Street Journal, which is always so negative. It amazes me when I read The New York Times is not even -- I don't -- I barely read it. The Washington Post is going wild lately. I don't know what happened to them. They are siding with China.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KURTZ: Mollie, the president says these newspapers who have just been banned by Beijing are siding with China. Do you see any evidence of that?
MOLLIE HEMINGWAY, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR, SENIOR EDITOR AT THE FEDERALIST, SENIOR JOURNALISM FELLOW AT HILLSDALE COLLEGE: Well, first of all, there are differences between each of these papers. I think if you look at their front page, The Wall Street Journal tends to play it pretty straight. The New York Times and The Washington Post less so. They do a lot of critical analysis of the president.
We're really seeing that this is a complex moment and our media are not particularly up to the challenge. Already, you know, even if it's an apolitical story, they sensationalize things. They are unable to provide context. That's even true if it's like a shark attack.
When you're dealing with a complicated public health, economic, constitutional issues like what we're going through now, they're just not doing a particularly good job, and their need for Trump to fail at all costs which they've shown that they are obsessed with for the last several years --
KURTZ: OK.
HEMINGWAY: -- makes it particularly problematic.
KURTZ: Ray, there's a difference between criticizing the media coverage as the president does all the time and saying that these organizations are siding with China. What are your thoughts?
RAY SUAREZ, KQED CO-HOST, FORMER PBS NEWS CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's just a ramping up of the same kind of rhetoric that was present in the briefing room earlier in the Trump administration. If you look carefully at the pages of all three newspapers, you'll find reported the attempts of the Chinese government to cover up the spread in Wuhan in the early days of the virus.
You'll find reporting on the extensive measures that the Chinese government took to throttle freedom of movement and freedom of speech when it would have helped to have people able to speak freely about how to respond to the virus. And you'll see reporting about how China is now today trying to win the PR battle by pivoting toward giving materials and supplies and advice - -
KURTZ: Right.
SUAREZ: -- to countries around the world that are having problem to response --
KURTZ: Let me jump in because I'm coming up on a hard break. Leslie, half a minute, Joe Biden says he's going to start doing coronavirus briefing himself tomorrow. He and the campaign have basically been kind of wiped off the radar by the coronavirus. Would you agree?
LESLIE MARSHALL, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: Well, yeah, absolutely. But Joe Biden doesn't suffer from this as much as Senator Sanders does because he wasn't out there doing as many big rallies and also Senator Sanders is still a sitting senator and has work to do --
KURTZ: Right.
MARSHALL: -- so Joe Biden can focus on giving that message which does start on Monday, you are correct.
KURTZ: All right. Let me get the hard break in here, and we'll be back on the other side.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KURTZ: At the White House, NBC's Peter Alexander asked whether the president was giving people a false sense of hope by touting the possible effects of two malaria drugs on the coronavirus, and then this happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETER ALEXANDER, NBC NEWS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: What do you say to Americans who are scared though? I guess nearly 200 dead, 14,000 who are sick, millions, as you witnessed, who are scared right now. What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?
D. TRUMP: I say that you're a terrible reporter. That's what I say.
(CROSSTALK)
D. TRUMP: I think it's a very nasty question, and I think it's a very bad signal that you're putting out to the American people. The American people are looking for answers and they're looking for hope. And you're doing sensationalism, and the same with NBC and Comcast. I don't call it Comcast. I call it "con-cast."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KURTZ: Mollie Hemingway, what does the president get out of saying this was a nasty question? It wasn't in fact a nasty or unfair question.
HEMINGWAY: Well, in a vacuum, the question was totally fine. The three minutes preceding that question, which were full of making the worst case about what Trump was doing, accusing him of trying to harm the American people, it was the part that I think bothered the president.
And it's important when people report about it, that they do include that context of what led up to this moment. And this general approach of being so negative against the president, I think, doesn't wear as well as a lot of people in the media think it does.
KURTZ: Ray Suarez, your thoughts on that stuff with the NBC reporter, but also Stephanie Grisham telling me earlier that she doesn't think it's appropriate for the media to be looking back at the president who some say minimized this for weeks and weeks and weeks. Is that part of our job or should we be just focused on today and tomorrow? SUAREZ: If you're press secretary for somebody who has said wrong, incorrect, and misleading things about the state of play for months, that's probably a good position to take. We were not at 15 cases on our way to zero when he said it. A test was not available to every American who wanted one when he said it. It's not each true today. So why wouldn't Stephanie Grisham suggest that we shouldn't keep looking back?
The job for any president is to be careful, consistent and credible, and I guess we can do a post-mortem when this is all over or whether the president succeeded --
KURTZ: That will have to wait. Leslie Marshall, I asked you about Joe Biden. He won Florida, Illinois and Arizona this week and barely any coverage. Has the coronavirus basically frozen the presidential campaign right now?
MARSHALL: No. The coronavirus has taken over as the leading news item because it's affecting so many people. It's so rapid, it's unprecedented. It is nothing that we've ever seen in any of our lifetimes because the last epidemic or pandemic on this level was about 100 years ago, according to my husband, the doctor, and other medical professionals. People are frightened --
KURTZ: All right.
MARSHALL: If I can weigh in quick --
KURTZ: You can't.
MARSHALL: -- I think a leader --
KURTZ: You can't because the computer is going to cut us off.
MARSHALL: -- a leader has to calm the nation.
KURTZ: Thank you so much. We'll see you next week with more about it with more "MediaBuzz."
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foxnews--2020-03-24--Global coronavirus infections top 400,000

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The number of COVID-19 infections worldwide topped 400,000 on Tuesday and more than 18,200 people have died as a result , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
COVID-19 rapidly spread across the globe after it was first discovered in Wuhan , China and world leaders and health officials continue to grapple with how best to contain the spread of infection .
TRUMP , DURING FOX NEWS CORONAVIRUS TOWNHALL , CALLS FOR RE-OPENING ECONOMY BY EASTER : 'WE HAVE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China—which has 81,591 confirmed cases of the virus—Italy continues to battle with a staggering 69,176 cases and the highest death toll in the world with 6,820 people dead .
In the United States , with a recorded 50,493 cases of coronavirus , state officials in at least 16 states have issued sweeping stay at home orders , mandating non-essential workers to work from home and shutting down businesses , dine-in restaurants , schools , and other places to prevent large groups of people from congregating .
Despite the growing number of cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes to reopen most businesses and resume normalcy by April 11 , in time for the Easter holidays , even as health officials warn the number of cases could continue to grow as more testing becomes available and the country may need to batten down for months before efforts to `` flatten the curve '' are deemed successful .
In New York -- the epicenter of the virus for the U.S. -- Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , D-N.Y. warned that the number of confirmed cases in his state “ is doubling about every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 to date .
The number of cases in the heavily populated city is 10 times that of California and Washington , both of which are facing massive numbers of infections .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India told citizens not to panic Tuesday even as he declared a 21-day countrywide lockdown to fight the pandemic .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP In Tokyo , the 2020 Summer Olympics have been postponed .

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The number of COVID-19 infections worldwide topped 400,000 on Tuesday and more than 18,200 people have died as a result, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
COVID-19 rapidly spread across the globe after it was first discovered in Wuhan, China and world leaders and health officials continue to grapple with how best to contain the spread of infection.
TRUMP, DURING FOX NEWS CORONAVIRUS TOWNHALL, CALLS FOR RE-OPENING ECONOMY BY EASTER: 'WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO WORK'
Aside from China—which has 81,591 confirmed cases of the virus—Italy continues to battle with a staggering 69,176 cases and the highest death toll in the world with 6,820 people dead.
In the United States, with a recorded 50,493 cases of coronavirus, state officials in at least 16 states have issued sweeping stay at home orders, mandating non-essential workers to work from home and shutting down businesses, dine-in restaurants, schools, and other places to prevent large groups of people from congregating.
Despite the growing number of cases in the U.S., President Trump said he hopes to reopen most businesses and resume normalcy by April 11, in time for the Easter holidays, even as health officials warn the number of cases could continue to grow as more testing becomes available and the country may need to batten down for months before efforts to "flatten the curve" are deemed successful.
In New York-- the epicenter of the virus for the U.S.-- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y. warned that the number of confirmed cases in his state “is doubling about every three days,” with 25,665 cases of COVID-19 to date. The number of cases in the heavily populated city is 10 times that of California and Washington, both of which are facing massive numbers of infections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India told citizens not to panic Tuesday even as he declared a 21-day countrywide lockdown to fight the pandemic.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
In Tokyo, the 2020 Summer Olympics have been postponed.


foxnews--2020-03-23--The coronavirus did not escape from a lab: Here's how we know

As the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 spreads across the globe , with cases surpassing 284,000 worldwide today ( March 20 ) , misinformation is spreading almost as fast .
One persistent myth is that this virus , called SARS-CoV-2 , was made by scientists and escaped from a lab in Wuhan , China , where the outbreak began .
A new analysis of SARS-CoV-2 may finally put that latter idea to bed .
A group of researchers compared the genome of this novel coronavirus with the seven other coronaviruses known to infect humans : SARS , MERS and SARS-CoV-2 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with HKU1 , NL63 , OC43 and 229E , which typically cause just mild symptoms , the researchers wrote March 17 in the journal Nature Medicine .
`` Our analyses clearly show that SARS-CoV-2 is not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus , '' they write in the journal article .
Kristian Andersen , an associate professor of immunology and microbiology at Scripps Research , and his colleagues looked at the genetic template for the spike proteins that protrude from the surface of the virus .
The coronavirus uses these spikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host 's cells and then enter those cells .
They specifically looked at the gene sequences responsible for two key features of these spike proteins : the grabber , called the receptor-binding domain , that hooks onto host cells ; and the so-called cleavage site that allows the virus to open and enter those cells .
That analysis showed that the `` hook '' part of the spike had evolved to target a receptor on the outside of human cells called ACE2 , which is involved in blood pressure regulation .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the researchers said the spike proteins were the result of natural selection and not genetic engineering .
Here 's why : SARS-CoV-2 is very closely related to the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS ) , which fanned across the globe nearly 20 years ago .
Scientists have studied how SARS-CoV differs from SARS-CoV-2 — with several key letter changes in the genetic code .
Yet in computer simulations , the mutations in SARS-CoV-2 do n't seem to work very well at helping the virus bind to human cells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , they would n't have chosen mutations that computer models suggest wo n't work .
But it turns out , nature is smarter than scientists , and the novel coronavirus found a way to mutate that was better — and completely different— from anything scientists could have created , the study found .
Another nail in the `` escaped from evil lab '' theory ?
The overall molecular structure of this virus is distinct from the known coronaviruses and instead most closely resembles viruses found in bats and pangolins that had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humans any harm .
`` If someone were seeking to engineer a new coronavirus as a pathogen , they would have constructed it from the backbone of a virus known to cause illness , '' according to a statement from Scripps .
Where did the virus come from ?
The research group came up with two possible scenarios for the origin of SARS-CoV-2 in humans .
One scenario follows the origin stories for a few other recent coronaviruses that have wreaked havoc in human populations .
In that scenario , we contracted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case of SARS and camels in the case of Middle East respiratory syndrome ( MERS ) .
In the case of SARS-CoV-2 , the researchers suggest that animal was a bat , which transmitted the virus to another intermediate animal ( possibly a pangolin , some scientists have said ) that brought the virus to humans .
Related : 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history In that possible scenario , the genetic features that make the new coronavirus so effective at infecting human cells ( its pathogenic powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopping to humans .
In the other scenario , those pathogenic features would have evolved only after the virus jumped from its animal host to humans .
Some coronaviruses that originated in pangolins have a `` hook structure '' ( that receptor binding domain ) similar to that of SARS-CoV-2 .
In that way , a pangolin either directly or indirectly passed its virus onto a human host .
Then , once inside a human host , the virus could have evolved to have its other stealth feature — the cleavage site that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Once it developed that capacity , the researchers said , the coronavirus would be even more capable of spreading between people .
All of this technical detail could help scientists forecast the future of this pandemic .
If the virus did enter human cells in a pathogenic form , that raises the probability of future outbreaks .
The virus could still be circulating in the animal population and might again jump to humans , ready to cause an outbreak .
But the chances of such future outbreaks are lower if the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then evolve the pathogenic properties , the researchers said .
• Coronavirus in the US : Map & cases • What are the symptoms ?
• How deadly is the new coronavirus ?
• How long does virus last on surfaces ?
• Is there a cure for COVID-19 ?
• How does it compare with seasonal flu ?
• How does the coronavirus spread ?
• Can people spread the coronavirus after they recover ?

Editor's note: On April 16, news came out that the U.S. government said it was investigating the possibility that the novel coronavirus may have somehow escaped from a lab, though experts still think the possibility that it was engineered is unlikely. This Live Science report explores the origin of SARS-CoV-2.
As the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 spreads across the globe , with cases surpassing 284,000 worldwide today (March 20), misinformation is spreading almost as fast.
One persistent myth is that this virus, called SARS-CoV-2, was made by scientists and escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China, where the outbreak began.
A new analysis of SARS-CoV-2 may finally put that latter idea to bed. A group of researchers compared the genome of this novel coronavirus with the seven other coronaviruses known to infect humans: SARS, MERS and SARS-CoV-2, which can cause severe disease; along with HKU1, NL63, OC43 and 229E, which typically cause just mild symptoms, the researchers wrote March 17 in the journal Nature Medicine .
"Our analyses clearly show that SARS-CoV-2 is not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus," they write in the journal article.
Related: 13 coronavirus myths busted by science
Kristian Andersen, an associate professor of immunology and microbiology at Scripps Research, and his colleagues looked at the genetic template for the spike proteins that protrude from the surface of the virus. The coronavirus uses these spikes to grab the outer walls of its host's cells and then enter those cells. They specifically looked at the gene sequences responsible for two key features of these spike proteins: the grabber, called the receptor-binding domain, that hooks onto host cells; and the so-called cleavage site that allows the virus to open and enter those cells.
That analysis showed that the "hook" part of the spike had evolved to target a receptor on the outside of human cells called ACE2 , which is involved in blood pressure regulation. It is so effective at attaching to human cells that the researchers said the spike proteins were the result of natural selection and not genetic engineering.
Here's why: SARS-CoV-2 is very closely related to the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which fanned across the globe nearly 20 years ago. Scientists have studied how SARS-CoV differs from SARS-CoV-2 — with several key letter changes in the genetic code. Yet in computer simulations, the mutations in SARS-CoV-2 don't seem to work very well at helping the virus bind to human cells. If scientists had deliberately engineered this virus, they wouldn't have chosen mutations that computer models suggest won't work. But it turns out, nature is smarter than scientists, and the novel coronavirus found a way to mutate that was better — and completely different— from anything scientists could have created, the study found.
Another nail in the "escaped from evil lab" theory? The overall molecular structure of this virus is distinct from the known coronaviruses and instead most closely resembles viruses found in bats and pangolins that had been little studied and never known to cause humans any harm.
"If someone were seeking to engineer a new coronavirus as a pathogen, they would have constructed it from the backbone of a virus known to cause illness," according to a statement from Scripps .
Where did the virus come from? The research group came up with two possible scenarios for the origin of SARS-CoV-2 in humans. One scenario follows the origin stories for a few other recent coronaviruses that have wreaked havoc in human populations. In that scenario, we contracted the virus directly from an animal — civets in the case of SARS and camels in the case of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the researchers suggest that animal was a bat, which transmitted the virus to another intermediate animal (possibly a pangolin, some scientists have said) that brought the virus to humans.
Related: 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history
In that possible scenario, the genetic features that make the new coronavirus so effective at infecting human cells (its pathogenic powers) would have been in place before hopping to humans.
In the other scenario, those pathogenic features would have evolved only after the virus jumped from its animal host to humans. Some coronaviruses that originated in pangolins have a "hook structure" (that receptor binding domain) similar to that of SARS-CoV-2. In that way, a pangolin either directly or indirectly passed its virus onto a human host. Then, once inside a human host, the virus could have evolved to have its other stealth feature — the cleavage site that lets it easily break into human cells. Once it developed that capacity, the researchers said, the coronavirus would be even more capable of spreading between people.
All of this technical detail could help scientists forecast the future of this pandemic. If the virus did enter human cells in a pathogenic form, that raises the probability of future outbreaks. The virus could still be circulating in the animal population and might again jump to humans, ready to cause an outbreak. But the chances of such future outbreaks are lower if the virus must first enter the human population and then evolve the pathogenic properties, the researchers said.
Coronavirus science and news
Originally published on Live Science .


foxnews--2020-03-24--Nancy Grace investigates the dark web: 'Sicilian Hitmen' for hire

Former prosecutor and Fox Nation host Nancy Grace delved into the seedy back alleys of the Internet , investigating the so-called dark web , in the latest episode of Fox Nation 's `` Crime Stories . ''
As Grace and her expert panel explained , the dark web is not something that the average person would stumble across -- you have to go looking for it .
`` You have to get a special browser .
It 's not really a direct thing .
You just do n't log onto a web site , '' said Ray Caputo , lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News , 96.5 WDBO , who did his own independent reporting on the shadowy Internet marketplace . ''
LIMITED TIME OFFER , GET YOUR FIRST MONTH OF FOX NATION FOR $ 0.99 '' The way I did it is you download a browser and that gives you access to these sites and then you 're kind of on your own , '' he continued .
`` It 's not a straightforward thing , but it 's really not that difficult , even if you 're a little bit tech-savvy . ''
John Cardillo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` America Talks , '' told Grace that the variety of black market material available of the dark web , at one time , was unbelievable .
`` There was a famous case called the Silk Road case .
Silk Road at the time was the largest marketplace on the dark web , '' said Cardillo .
`` They were actually pedaling bricks of heroin and fully automatic , anti-aircraft weapons .
I mean , it was insane the types of things you could buy from around the world . ''
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to combatting criminal activity by tracking the lawbreakers .
`` The problem for the bad guys was that many of them were just tech-savvy enough , but not tech-savvy enough , '' Cardillo said , `` so they would download this browser , but they would n't do things like mask their IP address , the location of their computer . ''
Law enforcement officials were able to locate the people suspected of nefarious activity on the dark web nearly as easily as they could track a phone number .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a young , recently married , Illinois nurse , who was looking for someone to murder the wife of a man with whom she was having an affair .
`` According to prosecutors , they say she went on the dark web to hire a hitman from -- I mean , this is straight out of central casting -- Sicilian Hitman International , '' said Grace .
Tina Jones , 32 , pleaded guilty in August to one count of attempted first-degree murder and was sentenced to 12 years in prison and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was n't a crime of passion .
She made bitcoin installments over three months , '' according to Caputo .
`` She had plenty of time to revisit this plan .
But she ended up making that last bitcoin payment and so she was serious about this . ''
To hear more about the Tina Jones case and watch more of `` Crime Stories with Nancy Grace '' go to Fox Nation and sign up today .
LIMITED TIME OFFER , GET YOUR FIRST MONTH OF FOX NATION FOR $ 0.99 Fox Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobile device app , but only for Fox Nation subscribers .
Go to Fox Nation today to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from Tomi Lahren , Pete Hegseth , Abby Hornacek , Laura Ingraham , Ainsley Earhardt , Greg Gutfeld , Judge Andrew Napolitano and many more of your favorite Fox News personalities .

Former prosecutor and Fox Nation host Nancy Grace delved into the seedy back alleys of the Internet, investigating the so-called dark web, in the latest episode of Fox Nation's "Crime Stories."
As Grace and her expert panel explained, the dark web is not something that the average person would stumble across -- you have to go looking for it.
"You have to get a special browser. It's not really a direct thing. You just don't log onto a web site," said Ray Caputo, lead news anchor for Orlando’s Morning News, 96.5 WDBO, who did his own independent reporting on the shadowy Internet marketplace."
LIMITED TIME OFFER, GET YOUR FIRST MONTH OF FOX NATION FOR $0.99
"The way I did it is you download a browser and that gives you access to these sites and then you're kind of on your own," he continued. "It's not a straightforward thing, but it's really not that difficult, even if you're a little bit tech-savvy."
John Cardillo, a former NYPD officer and host of "America Talks," told Grace that the variety of black market material available of the dark web, at one time, was unbelievable.
"There was a famous case called the Silk Road case. Silk Road at the time was the largest marketplace on the dark web," said Cardillo. "They were actually pedaling bricks of heroin and fully automatic, anti-aircraft weapons. I mean, it was insane the types of things you could buy from around the world."
However, law enforcement has gone a long way to combatting criminal activity by tracking the lawbreakers.
"The problem for the bad guys was that many of them were just tech-savvy enough, but not tech-savvy enough," Cardillo said, "so they would download this browser, but they wouldn't do things like mask their IP address, the location of their computer."
Law enforcement officials were able to locate the people suspected of nefarious activity on the dark web nearly as easily as they could track a phone number.
One of the people caught up in this crackdown was a young, recently married, Illinois nurse, who was looking for someone to murder the wife of a man with whom she was having an affair.
5 TRUE CRIME SHOW TO BINGE-WATCH ON FOX NATION
"According to prosecutors, they say she went on the dark web to hire a hitman from -- I mean, this is straight out of central casting -- Sicilian Hitman International," said Grace.
Tina Jones, 32, pleaded guilty in August to one count of attempted first-degree murder and was sentenced to 12 years in prison and three years of probation.
"This wasn't a crime of passion. She made bitcoin installments over three months," according to Caputo. "She had plenty of time to revisit this plan. But she ended up making that last bitcoin payment and so she was serious about this."
To hear more about the Tina Jones case and watch more of "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace" go to Fox Nation and sign up today.
LIMITED TIME OFFER, GET YOUR FIRST MONTH OF FOX NATION FOR $0.99
Fox Nation programs are viewable on-demand and from your mobile device app, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation today to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from Tomi Lahren, Pete Hegseth, Abby Hornacek, Laura Ingraham, Ainsley Earhardt, Greg Gutfeld, Judge Andrew Napolitano and many more of your favorite Fox News personalities.


foxnews--2020-03-24--Coronavirus forces stars to work from home, change the way content is produced

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way content is produced , as everyone from newscasters to A-list celebrities are forced to work from home .
Many stars are using social media to reach viewers , while others have launched formal programs dedicated to all-things coronavirus .
Oprah Winfrey ’ s new Apple TV show , “ Oprah Talks COVID-19 , ” features the talk show legend broadcasting from her home .
The premiere episode featured actor Idris Elba – who was also at home .
CORONAVIRUS : WHAT TO KNOW Miley Cyrus launched a live talk show from her home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bright Minded , '' aiming to bring positivity amid the current `` dark times '' surrounding the pandemic .
Late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon , Jimmy Kimmel , Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah have all taped monologues or segments from home , while a plethora of high-profile news anchors have also worked from the comfort of their homes .
Robert De Niro recently recorded a 24-second video , seemingly from inside his home , in which he warned New Yorkers to continue to isolate themselves so that they don ’ t spread the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dance parties ” on Instagram from his kitchen where everyone from Michelle Obama to Mark Zuckerberg has tuned in to listen to him spin records from home .
Madonna even shared a bizarre coronavirus-themed video from her bathroom .
While the sports industry and Broadway productions have shuttered , celebraties from the entertainment industry are able to amuse fans from their living rooms .
The result has been access to A-listers that would have never been possible without somewhat-recent technology and advancements in social media .
As stars work remotely , Vanity Fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s like to see inside the homes of many celebrities .
SHANNEN DOHERTY 'S CORONAVIRUS SOCIAL-DISTANCING MESSAGE : 'WITH STAGE 4 CANCER , MY BATTLE IS HARD ENOUGH' “ I ’ ve seen the nooks , the crannies , the bathrooms of their first , second , or third homes , ” Bryant wrote .
“ I have always wondered in what ways , exactly , the stars are just like us , and this pause on public life is an unprecedented opportunity to do rigorous accounting.
” Bryant then listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in work-from-home content , including Ellen DeGeneres ’ s “ big couch , ” “ gorgeous natural light behind Vanessa Hudgens ’ head as she spoke those ill-chosen words.
” and Reese Witherspoon ’ s “ Southern-comfort decor.
” While some are envious of the posh homes of celebrities , others see this as a glimpse into the future .
Comedian and “ No Things Considered ” host Tim Young told Fox News it ’ s remarkable that the technology for people to broadcast from exists — but this may simply be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SEEMINGLY MAKES LIGHT OF CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK WHILE GETTING BOTOX INJECTIONS “ It keeps us together in a time when we have to be kept apart , ” Young said .
“ It also might be a tipping point for some types of productions .
It 's significantly cheaper to produce a show from someone ’ s own home , and with the popularity of many YouTube shows which now get more viewers than most TV shows , ” Young added .
“ I 'd be shocked if we didn ’ t see a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call to make this a permanent shift.
” MTV has already launched “ MTV Unplugged at Home , ” in which Wyclef Jean and other music stars perform mini-concerts from the comfort of their own homes .
In fact , it doesn ’ t appear that the trend of broadcasting from home will end anytime soon .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Axios reported on Tuesday that ATTN , a streaming video service for young people , is releasing “ several ” new series featuring celebrities discussing coronavirus .
Actor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the stars set to partake , according to Axios .
“ I think this is a dream scenario for smart TV execs who realize they can get the same amount of viewers at only a fraction of the cost , ” Young said .

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way content is produced, as everyone from newscasters to A-list celebrities are forced to work from home.
Many stars are using social media to reach viewers, while others have launched formal programs dedicated to all-things coronavirus. Oprah Winfrey’s new Apple TV show, “Oprah Talks COVID-19,” features the talk show legend broadcasting from her home. The premiere episode featured actor Idris Elba – who was also at home.
CORONAVIRUS: WHAT TO KNOW
Miley Cyrus launched a live talk show from her home that is streamed on Instagram titled "Bright Minded," aiming to bring positivity amid the current "dark times" surrounding the pandemic.
Late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah have all taped monologues or segments from home, while a plethora of high-profile news anchors have also worked from the comfort of their homes.
STATES THREATENING JAIL TIME OVER CORONAVIRUS ORDERS' VIOLATIONS
Robert De Niro recently recorded a 24-second video, seemingly from inside his home, in which he warned New Yorkers to continue to isolate themselves so that they don’t spread the coronavirus.
DJ D-Nice has thrown virtual “dance parties” on Instagram from his kitchen where everyone from Michelle Obama to Mark Zuckerberg has tuned in to listen to him spin records from home. Madonna even shared a bizarre coronavirus-themed video from her bathroom.
While the sports industry and Broadway productions have shuttered, celebraties from the entertainment industry are able to amuse fans from their living rooms. The result has been access to A-listers that would have never been possible without somewhat-recent technology and advancements in social media.
As stars work remotely, Vanity Fair’s Kenzie Bryant wrote about that it’s like to see inside the homes of many celebrities.
SHANNEN DOHERTY'S CORONAVIRUS SOCIAL-DISTANCING MESSAGE: 'WITH STAGE 4 CANCER, MY BATTLE IS HARD ENOUGH'
“I’ve seen the nooks, the crannies, the bathrooms of their first, second, or third homes,” Bryant wrote. “I have always wondered in what ways, exactly, the stars are just like us, and this pause on public life is an unprecedented opportunity to do rigorous accounting.”
Bryant then listed luxurious digs of A-listers that have appeared in work-from-home content, including Ellen DeGeneres’s “big couch,” “gorgeous natural light behind Vanessa Hudgens’ head as she spoke those ill-chosen words.” and Reese Witherspoon’s “Southern-comfort decor.”
While some are envious of the posh homes of celebrities, others see this as a glimpse into the future.
Comedian and “No Things Considered” host Tim Young told Fox News it’s remarkable that the technology for people to broadcast from exists — but this may simply be the start of something larger.
KELLY RIPA SEEMINGLY MAKES LIGHT OF CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK WHILE GETTING BOTOX INJECTIONS
“It keeps us together in a time when we have to be kept apart,” Young said.
“It also might be a tipping point for some types of productions. It's significantly cheaper to produce a show from someone’s own home, and with the popularity of many YouTube shows which now get more viewers than most TV shows,” Young added. “I'd be shocked if we didn’t see a few celebs and TV networks make the call to make this a permanent shift.”
MTV has already launched “MTV Unplugged at Home,” in which Wyclef Jean and other music stars perform mini-concerts from the comfort of their own homes.
In fact, it doesn’t appear that the trend of broadcasting from home will end anytime soon.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Axios reported on Tuesday that ATTN, a streaming video service for young people, is releasing “several” new series featuring celebrities discussing coronavirus. Actor Ravi Patel and Arnold Schwarzenegger are two of the stars set to partake, according to Axios.
“I think this is a dream scenario for smart TV execs who realize they can get the same amount of viewers at only a fraction of the cost,” Young said.
Fox News’ Melissa Roberto contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-03-23--A prepper reveals what she keeps in her pantry — and what you should have, too

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Sign up here .
Deborah D. Moore knows a thing or two about prepping her pantry for an extended period of time , having lived most of her life as a “ prepper ” before there was even a word to describe “ prepping.
” “ When I was a newlywed , just 19 years old , we lived in Detroit , ” explained Moore , the author of “ A Prepper ’ s Cookbook , ” in an interview with Fox News .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming and we were to stay off the roads … I checked my cupboards and we had a half loaf of bread and two cans of soup.
” WHICH FOODS SHOULD YOU HAVE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY ?
As Moore told Fox News , she drove to a nearby market to pick up supplies , only to find chaos and enormous check-out lines .
“ I vowed that day to never have less than a week of food on hand at all times , ” she said .
“ That was 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake-up call , Moore explained that she began tending a garden , and took up canning and preserving as a way to store her jams and produce .
Since that time , she ’ s become something of an expert on the types of items everyone should have on hand , as well as in their “ working ” pantry ( i.e.
, short-term pantry ) and “ retreat ” pantry ( long-term ) .
So before you make another run to the grocery store , allow Moore to share a few of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foods for an ideal pantry , as well as ultimately cooking those foods for a family dinner .
How should you start stocking a ‘ working ’ pantry ?
“ Everyone has a working pantry ; it ’ s called a cupboard , ” says Moore .
“ Once a person realizes the convenience of having food on hand , they graduate to a closet .
I now have a room.
” CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER As Moore explained , the first things to think about keeping in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foods most commonly consumed within the house .
“ A person starts with what they like to eat , ” she said .
“ ’ Store what you eat ; Eat what you store.
’ I coined that phrase over 30 years ago , and it still holds true.
” That said , there are several items almost every pantry would benefit from having .
In Moore ’ s opinion , that includes “ flour , sugar , salt , yeast , cooking oil , and dry pasta , ” the latter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” food in her pantry .
( “ It ’ s cheap and it stores VERY well , ” she said . )
“ There should be foods ready to eat without cooking like beans , canned meats and fish , soup , ” she added “ A variety is essential to not getting bored .
Add herbs and spices , cheese , jarred garlic , olives , pickles.
” “ The biggest difference is the amount and the method of storage , ” explained Moore of her retreat — or long-term — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the working pantry one might keep a 5-pound bag of potatoes ; in the retreat pantry it would be a couple of boxes of potato flakes or dehydrated slices — shelf-stable food.
” When allocating for a retreat pantry , Moore again explained that it ’ s best to start with preferred foods , but only if those are shelf-stable , and won ’ t be expiring for a very , very long time .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS To calculate what should be included , Moore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then multiplying that by however many weeks one plans on “ retreating.
” “ When I lived off-grid for seven years , we wintered in , ” she explained .
“ I needed to have ALL my food supplies on my shelf no later than November 1 .
It took planning and it took keeping track of what we actually used.
” What are the must-have items people often forget ?
In addition to kitchen supplies such as aluminum foil , plastic bags , paper plates , can opener , etc.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as those too are shelf-stable .
“ There ’ s nothing that says normal to me like Jell-O and fruit cocktail !
” she said .
“ And popcorn.
” And as a pet-owner , Moore urged anyone planning a pantry to remember that their furry friends will need plenty of supplies too .
“ Please , do not forget your pets , ” she said .
“ My cat has his own storage space.
” When it comes to crowd-pleasing recipes , Moore has more than a few ideas — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them in her new cookbook .
But while she says pasta dishes and soups are the easiest for novice chefs , she says one of her favorite easy meals is “ Chicken in a Nest , ” which comes together in a flash .
Keep reading for the recipe , or check out Moore 's website for more information on her books .
• Fresh or dried herbs , such as basil • Mix drained chicken* with salt and pepper to taste .
Add one egg and mix ; add bread crumbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and mix well again .
Divided into 2-3 patties .
Set aside in refrigerator .
• When ready to begin making the dish , start by boiling water for pasta** ( preferably angel hair ) .
Cook enough for 2-3 people .
• In a frying pan , begin frying the chicken patties in a little bit of oil .
Saute until browned and cooked through .
• While pasta and chicken are cooking , heat a can of mushroom soup ( if it ’ s concentrated soup , add ½ can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add the cooked pasta and toss .
• Divide pasta onto dishes and swirl to make a nest .
Set cooked chicken patty in the center ; dust with grated cheese , maybe sprinkle with fresh basil .
Add any veggie for color .
*Substitute tuna or salmon for the chicken .
If using fish , dust with dill instead of basil .
**If not using pasta , cheesy rice can be substituted .

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
Deborah D. Moore knows a thing or two about prepping her pantry for an extended period of time, having lived most of her life as a “prepper” before there was even a word to describe “prepping.”
“When I was a newlywed, just 19 years old, we lived in Detroit,” explained Moore, the author of “A Prepper’s Cookbook,” in an interview with Fox News. “I heard there was a snow storm coming and we were to stay off the roads … I checked my cupboards and we had a half loaf of bread and two cans of soup.”
WHICH FOODS SHOULD YOU HAVE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?
As Moore told Fox News, she drove to a nearby market to pick up supplies, only to find chaos and enormous check-out lines.
“I vowed that day to never have less than a week of food on hand at all times,” she said. “That was 50 years ago.”
Shortly after that first wake-up call, Moore explained that she began tending a garden, and took up canning and preserving as a way to store her jams and produce. Since that time, she’s become something of an expert on the types of items everyone should have on hand, as well as in their “working” pantry (i.e., short-term pantry) and “retreat” pantry (long-term).
So before you make another run to the grocery store, allow Moore to share a few of her top tips for buying and storing foods for an ideal pantry, as well as ultimately cooking those foods for a family dinner.
How should you start stocking a ‘working’ pantry?
“Everyone has a working pantry; it’s called a cupboard,” says Moore. “Once a person realizes the convenience of having food on hand, they graduate to a closet. I now have a room.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
As Moore explained, the first things to think about keeping in a “working” pantry are the foods most commonly consumed within the house.
“A person starts with what they like to eat,” she said. “’Store what you eat; Eat what you store.’ I coined that phrase over 30 years ago, and it still holds true.”
That said, there are several items almost every pantry would benefit from having. In Moore’s opinion, that includes “flour, sugar, salt, yeast, cooking oil, and dry pasta,” the latter of which she calls the “most versatile” food in her pantry. (“It’s cheap and it stores VERY well,” she said.)
“There should be foods ready to eat without cooking like beans, canned meats and fish, soup,” she added “A variety is essential to not getting bored. Add herbs and spices, cheese, jarred garlic, olives, pickles.”
What about a longer-term, ‘retreat’ pantry?
“The biggest difference is the amount and the method of storage,” explained Moore of her retreat — or long-term — pantry. “As an example, in the working pantry one might keep a 5-pound bag of potatoes; in the retreat pantry it would be a couple of boxes of potato flakes or dehydrated slices — shelf-stable food.”
When allocating for a retreat pantry, Moore again explained that it’s best to start with preferred foods, but only if those are shelf-stable, and won’t be expiring for a very, very long time.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
To calculate what should be included, Moore recommended planning out a one-week menu, and then multiplying that by however many weeks one plans on “retreating.”
“When I lived off-grid for seven years, we wintered in,” she explained. “I needed to have ALL my food supplies on my shelf no later than November 1. It took planning and it took keeping track of what we actually used.”
What are the must-have items people often forget?
In addition to kitchen supplies such as aluminum foil, plastic bags, paper plates, can opener, etc., Moore insisted people stock comfort foods, as long as those too are shelf-stable. “There’s nothing that says normal to me like Jell-O and fruit cocktail!” she said. “And popcorn.”
And as a pet-owner, Moore urged anyone planning a pantry to remember that their furry friends will need plenty of supplies too.
“Please, do not forget your pets,” she said. “My cat has his own storage space.”
Any recommended recipes?
When it comes to crowd-pleasing recipes, Moore has more than a few ideas — which is why she shares over 100 of them in her new cookbook. But while she says pasta dishes and soups are the easiest for novice chefs, she says one of her favorite easy meals is “Chicken in a Nest,” which comes together in a flash.
CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS' CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Keep reading for the recipe, or check out Moore's website for more information on her books.
Chicken in a Nest
Ingredients:
1 can chicken meat, drained
1 egg
¼ cup bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon dried onion (or fresh minced)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta (preferably angel hair)
1 can mushroom soup
Grated cheese
Fresh or dried herbs, such as basil
Directions:
Mix drained chicken* with salt and pepper to taste. Add one egg and mix; add bread crumbs and dried onions (or fresh minced) and mix well again. Divided into 2-3 patties. Set aside in refrigerator. When ready to begin making the dish, start by boiling water for pasta** (preferably angel hair). Cook enough for 2-3 people. In a frying pan, begin frying the chicken patties in a little bit of oil. Saute until browned and cooked through. While pasta and chicken are cooking, heat a can of mushroom soup (if it’s concentrated soup, add ½ can of water). When hot, add the cooked pasta and toss. Divide pasta onto dishes and swirl to make a nest. Set cooked chicken patty in the center; dust with grated cheese, maybe sprinkle with fresh basil. Add any veggie for color.
*Substitute tuna or salmon for the chicken. If using fish, dust with dill instead of basil.
**If not using pasta, cheesy rice can be substituted.


foxnews--2020-03-24--Deroy Murdock: Congress must fight coronavirus economic threat with backstops, not bailouts

“ In negotiations for economic crisis relief , some are pushing for a special carve-out just for Boeing & GE , ” Senator Ted Cruz , R – Texas , complained Saturday via Twitter .
“ That would be WRONG .
Millions are losing jobs ; we don ’ t need bailouts or corporate welfare — those companies should participate in the same liquidity programs as everyone else.
” Senator Cruz is right .
The economic response to COVID-19 should involve backstops , not bailouts .
Staunch free-marketeers like Cruz rarely advocate government help for business .
Under normal circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching Cruz demand tax hikes .
But , of course , these circumstances are light-years from normal .
DEFENSE SECRETARY MARK ESPER : IN CORONAVIRUS FIGHT , US MILITARY IS ON THE FRONT LINES The COVID-19 global pandemic has turned thriving cities into ghost towns , as denizens hide indoors .
( As I write these words in my East Village apartment , Manhattan sounds like Montana .
My neighborhood ’ s motorcycles , garbage trucks , buses , screaming lunatics , feuding lovers , and drivers blasting music — and never the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ germs . )
This quietude echoes the suddenly silenced economy : Bars , restaurants , hotel ballrooms , amusement parks , airplanes , and the entire Las Vegas Strip are padlocked .
COVID-19 is not a re-run of 2008 , when Washington rescued companies and people who deliberately did stupid , reckless things .
Americans signed mortgages that they couldn ’ t afford , loaned to borrowers who couldn ’ t repay , and bundled dodgy debt into tranches of securities that amplified this wobbliness .
When the entire McMansion of cards collapsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who crashed on the wrong side of moral hazard .
Renters and others who avoided such tomfoolery got stuck with the bill .
Today ’ s crisis does not flow from irresponsible behavior .
This time , Americans minded their own business , created jobs , worked hard , and thrived .
Suddenly , like a bowl of egg drop soup fumbled onto our collective lap , COVID-19 roared out of China as its Communist leaders covered up the contagion for precious weeks .
This disease soon ravaged Italy , marched across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too .
Through no fault of their own , Americans now find themselves terrorized , not by Al Qaeda or ISIS , but by microbes .
Even worse , they are impoverished , as the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Monday afternoon surrendered all of the gains since Donald J. Trump ’ s election .
So , under these circumstances , emergency government assistance is philosophically tolerable .
But , as Cruz argues , it must be done right .
First , special interest goodies should be sehr verboten .
In a withering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. identified several of the irrelevancies over which Democrats are filibustering the Phase III medical and financial-relief measure on which some 330 million Americans are waiting .
“ Here are some of the items on the Democratic wish list , over which they choose to block this legislation , ” McConnell said on the Senate floor .
“ Tax credits for solar energy and wind energy .
Provisions to force employers to give special new treatment to Big Labor .
And listen to this : New emissions standards for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me ?
” McConnell asked in astonishment .
“ Democrats won ’ t let us fund hospitals or save small businesses unless they get to dust off the Green New Deal.
” McConnell called this “ a left-wing episode of ‘ Supermarket Sweep ’ ” and denounced House Democrat whip James Clyburn of South Carolina for saying last week : “ This is a tremendous opportunity to restrict things to fit our vision.
” Second , rather than such advantage-taking ugliness , the American people deserve legislation that relies far more on backstops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gifts .
Club for Growth president David McIntosh ’ s advice , once again , is worth heeding : “ Club for Growth issued a series of policy options and recommendations , and the first said that any financial rescue of industry should be in the form of government loans , even if the interest is zero , and not as grants or bailouts.
” Washington should offer embattled airlines , hotels , restaurants , movie theaters , and other corporations five-year , interest-free loans , which would carry these limited-but-crucial strings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to : • Pay wages and keep employees on staff • Purchase mission-critical supplies and pay vital operating expenses , such as rent , utilities , and marketing • Conversely , no federal funds for bonuses or luxury items • A violation of any of these rules would make these loans due within one year , with the national-average credit-card-interest rate added to the principle .
Third , tax relief should be part of the equation .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER Companies should be excused from all corporate taxes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , provided they follow the same rules for loans above .
Furthermore , immediate expensing of business purchases should be made permanent .
Fourth , Fox News host Steve Hilton wisely suggests that the federal government indemnify commercial insurers to pay business-interruption insurance , provided that they accept COVID-19 as a reason to pay claims .
If so , private companies could invoke such policies and get paid quickly by private insurers who are so equipped .
Fifth , small businesses should be welcome to all of these benefits and should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities created by the Federal Reserve ’ s enormous expansion in lending capacity .
As much as possible , these steps would allow American workers to stay employed and get paid by their employers , not Congress .
This will make it far easier for shuttered enterprises to maintain their staffs through this crisis and then mobilize them , once COVID-19 has coughed off into the sunset .
Relief via paychecks lets workers keep their dignity and maintain their morale .
Also , the jobless rate would remain relatively low , while a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and business confidence and speed the economy ’ s dance around the drain .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Sixth , additional federal payments to individuals should be targeted and temporary , not Washington ’ s usual waterfall of cash .
Limited government may be too much to ask in this totally unforeseen calamity .
But limiting unlimited government is as vital as ever to America ’ s long-term health .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DEROY MURDOCK

“In negotiations for economic crisis relief, some are pushing for a special carve-out just for Boeing & GE,” Senator Ted Cruz, R – Texas, complained Saturday via Twitter. “That would be WRONG. Millions are losing jobs; we don’t need bailouts or corporate welfare — those companies should participate in the same liquidity programs as everyone else.”
Senator Cruz is right. The economic response to COVID-19 should involve backstops, not bailouts.
Staunch free-marketeers like Cruz rarely advocate government help for business. Under normal circumstances, this would be as startling as watching Cruz demand tax hikes. But, of course, these circumstances are light-years from normal.
DEFENSE SECRETARY MARK ESPER: IN CORONAVIRUS FIGHT, US MILITARY IS ON THE FRONT LINES
The COVID-19 global pandemic has turned thriving cities into ghost towns, as denizens hide indoors. (As I write these words in my East Village apartment, Manhattan sounds like Montana. My neighborhood’s motorcycles, garbage trucks, buses, screaming lunatics, feuding lovers, and drivers blasting music — and never the good kind — all have been stilled…by germs.)
This quietude echoes the suddenly silenced economy: Bars, restaurants, hotel ballrooms, amusement parks, airplanes, and the entire Las Vegas Strip are padlocked.
COVID-19 is not a re-run of 2008, when Washington rescued companies and people who deliberately did stupid, reckless things. Americans signed mortgages that they couldn’t afford, loaned to borrowers who couldn’t repay, and bundled dodgy debt into tranches of securities that amplified this wobbliness.
When the entire McMansion of cards collapsed, Uncle Sam rushed in to nurse those who crashed on the wrong side of moral hazard. Renters and others who avoided such tomfoolery got stuck with the bill.
Today’s crisis does not flow from irresponsible behavior. This time, Americans minded their own business, created jobs, worked hard, and thrived.
Suddenly, like a bowl of egg drop soup fumbled onto our collective lap, COVID-19 roared out of China as its Communist leaders covered up the contagion for precious weeks. This disease soon ravaged Italy, marched across Europe, and infected the U.S., too.
Through no fault of their own, Americans now find themselves terrorized, not by Al Qaeda or ISIS, but by microbes.
Even worse, they are impoverished, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Monday afternoon surrendered all of the gains since Donald J. Trump’s election.
So, under these circumstances, emergency government assistance is philosophically tolerable. But, as Cruz argues, it must be done right.
First, special interest goodies should be sehr verboten. In a withering speech on Monday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. identified several of the irrelevancies over which Democrats are filibustering the Phase III medical and financial-relief measure on which some 330 million Americans are waiting.
“Here are some of the items on the Democratic wish list, over which they choose to block this legislation,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “Tax credits for solar energy and wind energy. Provisions to force employers to give special new treatment to Big Labor. And listen to this: New emissions standards for the airlines.”
“Are you kidding me?” McConnell asked in astonishment. “Democrats won’t let us fund hospitals or save small businesses unless they get to dust off the Green New Deal.”
McConnell called this “a left-wing episode of ‘Supermarket Sweep’” and denounced House Democrat whip James Clyburn of South Carolina for saying last week: “This is a tremendous opportunity to restrict things to fit our vision.”
Second, rather than such advantage-taking ugliness, the American people deserve legislation that relies far more on backstops, guarantees, and loans than handouts and gifts.
Club for Growth president David McIntosh’s advice, once again, is worth heeding: “Club for Growth issued a series of policy options and recommendations, and the first said that any financial rescue of industry should be in the form of government loans, even if the interest is zero, and not as grants or bailouts.”
Washington should offer embattled airlines, hotels, restaurants, movie theaters, and other corporations five-year, interest-free loans, which would carry these limited-but-crucial strings: These taxpayer dollars must be used to:
Pay wages and keep employees on staff
Purchase mission-critical supplies and pay vital operating expenses, such as rent, utilities, and marketing
Conversely, no federal funds for bonuses or luxury items
A violation of any of these rules would make these loans due within one year, with the national-average credit-card-interest rate added to the principle.
Third, tax relief should be part of the equation.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER
Companies should be excused from all corporate taxes on revenue in the first two quarters of 2020, provided they follow the same rules for loans above. Furthermore, immediate expensing of business purchases should be made permanent.
For employers and employees alike, President Trump’s proposed payroll-tax holiday makes tremendous sense.
Fourth, Fox News host Steve Hilton wisely suggests that the federal government indemnify commercial insurers to pay business-interruption insurance, provided that they accept COVID-19 as a reason to pay claims. If so, private companies could invoke such policies and get paid quickly by private insurers who are so equipped.
Fifth, small businesses should be welcome to all of these benefits and should be encouraged to capitalize on the ample borrowing opportunities created by the Federal Reserve’s enormous expansion in lending capacity.
As much as possible, these steps would allow American workers to stay employed and get paid by their employers, not Congress. This will make it far easier for shuttered enterprises to maintain their staffs through this crisis and then mobilize them, once COVID-19 has coughed off into the sunset.
Relief via paychecks lets workers keep their dignity and maintain their morale. Also, the jobless rate would remain relatively low, while a spike in that metric would sink consumer and business confidence and speed the economy’s dance around the drain.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Sixth, additional federal payments to individuals should be targeted and temporary, not Washington’s usual waterfall of cash.
Limited government may be too much to ask in this totally unforeseen calamity. But limiting unlimited government is as vital as ever to America’s long-term health.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DEROY MURDOCK