Rachel Maddow lost it on her recent show as she described Trump’s response to governors asking for help for critical medical supplies and equipment.
Rachel Maddow justifiably loses it
The New York Times reported the call as follows.
WASHINGTON — President Trump told governors on a conference call on Monday that he had not “heard about testing in weeks,” suggesting that a chronic lack of kits to screen people for the coronavirus was no longer a problem.
But governors painted a different picture on the ground.
Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana, a Democrat, said that officials in his state were trying to do “contact tracing” — tracking down people who have come into contact with those who have tested positive — but that they were struggling because “we don’t have adequate tests,” according to an audio recording of the conversation obtained by The New York Times.
“Literally we are one day away, if we don’t get test kits from the C.D.C., that we wouldn’t be able to do testing in Montana,” Mr. Bullock said.
The midday call was one of a handful that Mr. Trump has held with governors, some of whom have sparred with the president over the federal government’s response to the spread of the coronavirus. Others have calculated that it will be easier to get the needs of their states fulfilled by praising Mr. Trump, who seeks credit and affirmation in most interactions.
On the Monday call, Mr. Bullock — whose state is heavily rural — tried to stress the disparity Montana faces in trying to mitigate the spread of the virus because of the lack of testing.
Mr. Trump initially said that Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, could respond to the question, but then quickly offered a rejoinder. “I haven’t heard about testing in weeks,” the president said. “We’ve tested more now than any nation in the world. We’ve got these great tests and we’re coming out with a faster one this week.” Reiterating his point, Mr. Trump added, “I haven’t heard about testing being a problem.”
President Trump shows a cognitive dissonance fueled by his profound narcissism. But it is likely deeper. Based on his press conferences including his most recent, these clips make it quite clear he has an agenda to use justify near full reliance on the corporate sector to address COVID-19. Unfortunately, that means profiteering as we exacerbate the damage our already failed healthcare model is doing to our personal economy and health.
It is clear the reason the President does not want, central authority to buy for the states is that up bidding whether local or overseas makes more profits for his friends. If those of us, who are proponents of Medicare for All, do not use the response to COVID-19 as a catalyst to force it forward, it will be a dereliction of our duty.
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