Warren, Markey: Trump spread misinformation about coronavirus at ‘troubling’ news conference

Democratic Massachusetts Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are calling on Vice President Pence to provide “clear, consistent, science-based information” about the coronavirus, saying President Trump spread misinformation about COVID-19 during a “troubling” press conference late last week. 

“At the press conference, President Trump spread misinformation about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and federal efforts to combat its spread—threatening to confuse the public and muddle the streamlined response that you have been asked to lead,” Warren and Markey wrote in a letter to Pence, who leads the White House coronavirus task force. 

“During this crisis, the American public needs the Trump administration to provide clear, consistent, science-based information about COVID-19; we urge you to ensure that future communications meet this standard,” they added. 

The senators noted how the virus has spread throughout the U.S., reaching over 1,000 confirmed cases and 29 deaths as of Wednesday morning. They also pointed to schools and universities that have closed and dozens of major conferences and events that have been canceled. 

In their letter, they condemned the president’s comments toward Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), whose state has been hit hardest by the virus. As Inslee grew critical of the president’s response, Trump called him a “snake” at the press conference at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta on Friday. 

“Despite these cascading problems, Friday’s press conference began with CDC Director [Robert] Redfield praising President Trump’s ‘decisive leadership’ in the public health crisis,” they said. “President Trump then spoke, making numerous comments suggesting that he does not understand the contours nor gravity of COVID-19’s spread. He claimed, among other things, that ‘anybody that needs a test, gets a test’ — a statement that is not accurate and served to spread confusion about testing protocols and test accessibility.”

The senators listed a series of questions for the administration, seeking clarity on statements Trump made at the press conference. 

“This series of false, politicized, and nonsensical statements by the President are deeply troubling,” they said. “Friday’s press conference was a disservice to the nation and the non-partisan scientists and public health experts at the CDC and across the federal government.”