'I don't want to create panic': Trump defends coronavirus remarks he made to Bob Woodward

Donald Trump said he was 'trying to avoid panic' by not revealing the severity of Covid-19, despite CNN audio published on Wednesday from an interview in February in which he acknowledged the virus was 'deadly'.

The president, who defended his comments to the journalist Bob Woodward for Woodward's book Rage, insisted his strategy was focused on encouraging Americans to remain calm, as the virus spread across the country

The Guardian YouTube network:

[woohoooooooooo]

In some way Trump is right. It should never have happened.

[littlestar]

“They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.”
— Job 15:35 (KJV)

[markgreen]

"Mr. Mayor, why didn't you tell the people that there was a serial killer on the loose in the city who has killed 23 random people?"
"I didn't want to create panic. But maybe people should start locking their doors, now that I think about it."

[NateVHVT]

But, why didn't you tell me there was an axe murderer behind me?
I didn't want to panic you.

[SuperRmalta]

Yes, based on his inciteful impeccable advice I just installed silent fire alarms in my house, to avoid panic. Lol.

[inkondesign]

this virus also came to South Korea too, but competent leadership kept the death toll only 300 instead of the 190, 000

[CookieMunstaaa]

I'm baffled that there is even a possibility of this man continuing on in this role for another few years.

[gracehumphrey]

By not telling people the severity of covid 19.some people did not take it as seriously as they should have and they are now dead.Get it through your head mr.president

[gfuke]

Did you lie to not cause panic and make yourself look bad?
Yes

[IamwhoIam]

WE ALL KNOW HOW MUCH HE LIES. HE WAS AFRAID THAT THE MARKET'S WOULD CRASH BEFORE HE COULD PROTECT HIS MONEY .

[yyyyy]

Next time, ask all Americans to stand still on the railway when the train approaches in high speed. Trump's Panic Avoidance Training.

[johnpatton]

JUST SAY YOU DIDNT WANT THE STOCK MARKET TO FALL TO THE BOTTOM

[kaminznanna]

The guy who almost never wears a mask isn't showing a sense of panic? I think I already figured that out.

[john]

I tried to toast a bagel but the bagel is stuck in the toaster and now the toaster is on fire. Help.

[whataloadofbollox]

he didn't want to panic people when he kept on tweeting LIBERATE, what an absolute charlatan !

[MrAwol]

this man derserves the nobel prize for what he has to put up with

[krustymuffhole]

Wow comments are turned on for the guardian 👌

[RayMerrell]

Babel fish translation: You can't handle the truth.

[dixiedoos]

we have media in England doing the same thing makes ppl panic

[Stringfellow-xodo]

People began to panic buy food and things like toilet paper when this thing kicked off. What do you think would of happened if Trump (and most likely other leaders) hadn't down played it to prevent panic? You people have short memories, I can remember several UK newspapers doing stories on all the food that was bring thrown out by the panic buyers because the rumored food shortages never happened.