Trump Faces Backlash Over State of Emergency Press Conference

Trump declared a national emergency in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.

March 13, 2020

trump rona — Image via Getty/Chip Somodevilla
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On Friday, Donald Trump declared a national emergency in order to help combat the spread of coronavirus.

People have been reacting to the press conference with more than the usual "Trump sucks" and "he’s dumb" banter. Twitter has called Trump out for his behavior during the news briefing, including him thinking it's essential to invite a bunch of CEOs to the presser—from Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, et al.—and his announcement of a new Google website that will help screen Americans for the virus and then show them where to get tested if necessary.

Apparently, Trump wasn't telling the truth about Google. According to The Verge, Google is not building a nationwide website to help people get a coronavirus test. Instead, a smaller trial website made by another division of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is going up that will only be able to direct people to testing facilities in the Bay Area.

A statement from Verily, which is a different company inside the Alphabet umbrella, is as follows:

People also reacted to Trump shaking hands with everyone around him, particularly after Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus after the two met last weekend at Mar-a-Lago.

Many view Trump’s moves as a bit too late, particularly after he’s repeatedly equated the virus to the seasonal flu. During the briefing, he also proclaimed he doesn't "take responsibility at all" for the delay in testing in the U.S.