Analyzing the political fallout over Trump’s comments in Bob Woodward’s new book “Rage”

New recordings from veteran journalist Bob Woodward show President Trump privately acknowledge the severity of the coronavirus, while publicly downplaying the danger posed by the virus. CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett explains the political fallout and how these comments could impact the 2020 race.

Each weekday morning, "CBS This Morning" co-hosts Gayle King, Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil deliver two hours of original reporting, breaking news and top-level newsmaker interviews in an engaging and informative format that challenges the norm in network morning news programs. The broadcast has earned a prestigious Peabody Award, a Polk Award, four News & Documentary Emmys, three Daytime Emmys and the 2017 Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. The broadcast was also honored with an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award as part of CBS News division-wide coverage of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Check local listings for "CBS This Morning" broadcast times.

[Markstun]

Keeping people calm is very important. I believe that fire alarms should be removed from all buildings- the noise tends to panic people. Also stop warning people about hurricanes and tornadoes. We don’t want them to overreact .
.

[benbochenek]

Atleast he is positive. I’d rather have that than the fake news scare tactics.

[ronaldgarrison]

Trump's position: You can't handle the truth!

[WhySoitanly]

How dumb is Trump? He gave 18 damning interviews to Woodward. That's one really dumb Stable Genius.

[datmeme]

Imagine not telling someone they had treatable cancer until it was too late because you didn't want them to panic.

[Chrisbell]

We really need a clause in the constitution for this sort of asinine presidential behavior! Did the generals disarm the nuclear football yet? I am ashamed to be an American today. Biden Harris 2020

[n-one]

Are these people even living in the same country as us?

[SAB]

There is a HUGE difference in not wanting to cause a panic and outright lying. Behind doors, he knew this was a serious but in public he told us to our faces it was no big deal. He outright lied to the American public and there is no amount of spin that will change that.

[claraschuld]

He always has an excuse....never takes responsibility for anything....surprised he took responsibility for his kids!

[deadname...]

Minimizing public panic and taking action behind the scenes is standard
Presidential protocol, which is exactly what Trump did.

[AlvaStrong]

Remember when Nancy Pelosi said it was no big deal back on February 24th in Chinatown (a month AFTER Trump imitated the travel ban)? "That’s what we’re trying to do today is to say everything is fine here, " Pelosi said. “...all I can say is, 'I’m here.' We feel safe and sound, so many of us coming here."

[MarkM]

If blabing to reporters about secret weapons and hiding information about a deadly contagious disease isn't a national security threat what is?

[dwightperry]

he is not optimistic and strong he is delusional 🤯🤦🏿‍♂️

[fransvanmook]

But still the GOP Senators support him. Vote them out.

[SenorKennedy]

I had to close my business and stay home for 30 days. At times I had to find an acceptable alternative to toilet paper. There was no downplaying of this virus.

[Luke-ebke]

People have picked their sides at this point.There is nothing that Trump can do wrong in his supporters eyes.
We have to just hope and pray enough us can vote him out.
Get ready to vote like your life depends on it.Because it does more then you know!

[rg]

Defending Trump is a very weird hill to die on..

[ronaldgarrison]

A term that needs to be brought into this campaign: We were BRIGHT-SIDED.

[richmulv]

Frankly the Woodward book is a nothingburger.

[smalltowngirlbigcityheart]

You think any other President wouldn’t have tried to downplay it so not to cause panic? Trump is no different-