President Donald Trump: Calling it the 'Chinese virus' is not racist at all, it comes from China

President Trump responds to a question about whether calling the coronavirus the 'Chinese virus' is racist. He says it isn't, because it came from China.

World Health Organization officials warned against calling COVID-19 the “Chinese virus” as President Donald Trump has done, saying that it could unintentionally lead to racial profiling.

“Viruses know no borders and they don’t care about your ethnicity, the color of your skin or how much money you have in the bank. So it’s really important we be careful in the language we use lest it lead to the profiling of individuals associated with the virus,” Dr. Mike Ryan, the executive director of WHO’s emergencies program, said at a news conference Wednesday when asked about Trump’s comments inciting violence against Asians.

Since emerging from Wuhan, China, just over three months ago, the new coronavirus has spread to almost every country around the world, infecting more than 212,000 people and killing at least 8,727 as of Wednesday afternoon, according to data compiled by John’s Hopkins University.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates agreed with Ryan, writing in an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit on Wednesday that “we should not call this the Chinese virus.”

Trump defended his characterization of the coronavirus at a White House news conference discussing the pandemic Wednesday.

“It’s not racist at all,” Trump said, “No, not at all.”

Trump was asked about his persistent use of the term “Chinese virus” despite reports that dozens of incidents of bias against Chinese Americans who have been blamed for allegedly spreading the coronavirus.

“Because it comes from China,” Trump said to the reporter who asked him that question. “That’s why.”

WHO officials intentionally gave the virus a generic name to avoid stigmatizing a country or particular group, choosing a name that doesn’t refer to a geographical location, animals, an individual or a group of people. The CO stands for corona, the VI for virus and the D for disease. COVID-19 was first detected late last year.

“Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said when the new name was announced Feb. 11.

Ryan repeated WHO’s calls for solidarity, saying that characterizing a virus in such a manner could result in xenophobic behavior and “I’m sure anyone would regret profiling a virus along those lines.”

“This is a time for solidarity, this is a time for facts, this is a time to move forward together, to fight this virus together. There is no blame in this,” he said. “All we need now is to identify the things we need to do to move forward quickly, with speed and to avoid any indication of ethnic or other associations with this virus.”



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[DaBrock]

The way he says, ” CHI-NA” has me dead

[ReggiesRevenge]

How did the people behind him keep a straight face 😂😂😂

[StoneBasses]

This clip aged very well. Media should be ashamed of themselves.

[DucaTech]

"It comes from China". Well he does have a point.

[wheresfrancis]

I don’t care what anyone says Trump is a legend for this alone 😂😭

[Coolguy-esmq]

What is funny about this video is that what he said is actually very obvious and he responded to an accusation of being racist with a rather sarcastic and legitimate remark that no person can dispute.

[KarloPunzal]

Amazed at the people behind Pres Trump keeping a straight face. Must be tough hearing POTUS destroy reporters without reacting.

[bipedalism]

"It's not racist at all, no. Not at all.  It comes from Chi-na.  That's why, it comes from china.  I want to be accurate."  Baller!

[gammasmash]

*"That can't happen. It's not gonna happen. Not as long as I'm President."*

My favorite version of Trump.

[stephainewoodw]

Can't stop watching this😂! "It comes from Chi-na" Everyone keeping a straight face, hilarious.

[newenvisionedgrowth]

Not a fan of this dude but this was savage funny 😂😂😂😂

[ComixMultiplication]

When presidents actually weren't afraid to take questions that weren't pre screened in advance

[sergiosoto]

Trump’s calm demeanor is so epic in his responses. That lady’s “trigger” jumped from 0-100 in seconds.

[lapingapatoelmundo]

Never seen a person that is funny but so true at the same time. He is special. “It comes from Chi Na”. Priceless!!!

[willfishforfood]

The only person EVER in the history of politics that calls it like he sees it without and

[neroidius]

I love how he casually talked over that woman who sounded like she was on the verge of anger

[jackmccall]

I’m an Australian, and this is absolute gold lmao this is what the world needs, HONESTY!

[icemanairsoft]

“It comes from CHI-NAH” best thing said so far in 2020 😂😂

[Njoofene]

Very good! He was the only world leader bold enough to tell the truth. I started liking him after this. Love from Africa.

[fleiteae]

Reporter: why are you calling the virus the China virus???
Trump: because the virus came from China.

Very simple.