During his daily briefing Wednesday, President Donald Trump appeared to become emotional while discussing the media.
Prior to the press conference, Trump sent a tweet suggesting that journalists are responsible for the push to enforce social distancing by temporarily closing businesses.
The LameStream Media is the dominant force in trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success. The real people want to get back to work ASAP. We will be stronger than ever before!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 25, 2020
When asked about the tweet by a reporter, Trump said:
I think there are certain people that would like [the country] to do financially poorly, because they think that would be very good as far as defeating me at the polls. And I don't know if that's so, but I do think it's so, that a lot of that there are people in your profession that would like that to happen. I think it's very clear. I think it's very clear that there are people in your profession that write fake news. You do. She does... And it's lucky that you have this group here right now for this problem, or you wouldn't even have a country left.
At the same briefing, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he expected the historic $1 trillion relief deal reached in the Senate would pass tonight and be sent to the House on Thursday, where he also predicted it would pass. Flanked by President Trump, Vice President Pence and others, Mnuchin said:
"We couldn't be more pleased with the unprecedented response from the Senate to protect American workers and American business in this situation."
Note: President Trump usually opens these news conference with his own remarks. His comments in a number of past briefings have later been contradicted by information provided by other officials. He has also repeatedly used stigmatizing language to describe COVID-19. Following the president's remarks, health experts and other adminstration leaders provide additional updates.
