Hillary Clinton Accuses Trump of Racism For Calling Coronavirus ‘Chinese Virus’
Failed Democratic presidential candidate takes to Twitter to attack her president
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Twice-failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton accused President Donald Trump of employing “racist rhetoric” after he called the coronavirus a “Chinese virus.”
Clinton wrote on Twitter:
“The president is turning to racist rhetoric to distract from his failures to take the coronavirus seriously early on, make tests widely available, and adequately prepare the country for a period of crisis."
“Don’t fall for it. Don’t let your friends and family fall for it.”
Trump defended calling the disease a “Chinese virus,” which originated in Wuhan, China.
“I have to call it where it came from, it did come from China, so I think it’s a very accurate term,” he said during a press conference.
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Trump said he began using the term after China started to spewing propaganda accusing the U.S. military of spreading the virus.
Last week, spokesman for communist China’s Foreign Ministry, Zhao Lijian, said the coronavirus 'might' have been brought to China by members of the U.S military.
The baseless claims made by Lijian seemingly disregarded the fact that the virus originated in China.
Lijian falsely claimed on Twitter:
“When did patient zero begin in US? How many people are infected? What are the names of the hospitals? It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation!”
Trump responded, saying:
“Well, China was putting out information which was false, that our military gave this to them, that was false."
The president is turning to racist rhetoric to distract from his failures to take the coronavirus seriously early on, make tests widely available, and adequately prepare the country for a period of crisis.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 18, 2020
Don't fall for it. Don't let your friends and family fall for it.
The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2020
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He then denied referring to China in the name would create a “stigma.”
“No, I don’t think so. I think that saying our military gave it to them creates a stigma,” Trump said.
On Monday, Trump wrote the U.S. would assist industries affected by the “Chinese Virus.”
“The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus,” he said.
“We will be stronger than ever before!"
Clinton also slammed Trump's response to the coronavirus outbreak earleir this week, saying it would help if he actually tried “giving a damn.”
Clinton tweeted Trump offering to “spell” out what needs to happen in order to contain the virus.
“I know this is all hard for you, @realdonaldtrump , so let me spell it out,” Mrs. Clinton wrote.
Clinton then suggested the President support measures such as free coronavirus testing, and federally mandated paid sick leave and “giving a damn.”
