Trump touts cooperation with states on coronavirus after criticizing Democratic governors

President Trump on Tuesday swiped at the Democratic governors of Michigan and New York even as he sought to project unity with state officials over the handling of the coronavirus.

In a pair of morning tweets, Trump targeted New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) after both appeared on television to discuss the government response to the virus.

“Cuomo wants ‘all states to be treated the same. But all states aren’t the same,” Trump tweeted, chastising the New York governor for the second consecutive day. “Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus, some are being hit practically not at all. New York is a very big ‘hotspot’, West Virginia has, thus far, zero cases. Andrew, keep politics out of it.”

Cuomo wants “all states to be treated the same.” But all states aren’t the same. Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus, some are being hit practically not at all. New York is a very big “hotspot”, West Virginia has, thus far, zero cases. Andrew, keep politics out of it….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2020

Cuomo appeared on his brother Chris Cuomo’s show on CNN Monday night, and he has in recent days called on Trump to take decisive action and issue blanket guidelines to states for combating the coronavirus.

Trump then took aim at Whitmer moments after she did an interview with MSNBC, a network the president frequently criticizes.

“Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive. We are pushing her to get the job done,” Trump tweeted. “I stand with Michigan!”

Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive. We are pushing her to get the job done. I stand with Michigan!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2020

Whitmer in her interview questioned Trump urging governors to try to purchase ventilators and other medical equipment on their own, calling it “kind of mind-boggling” to ask states to “work around the federal government.”

Minutes after singling out Cuomo and Whitmer, Trump tweeted that his administration “is working very well with the Governors and State officials. Good things will happen!”

Federal Government is working very well with the Governors and State officials. Good things will happen! #KILLTHEVIRUS

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2020

Trump on Monday appeared to grasp the severity of the virus, delivering his most direct warning to the American public to date. His administration recommended that for the next 15 days Americans avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, avoid non-essential travel and work or conduct schooling from home when possible.

The president has struggled at times to stay on message as the coronavirus spreads across the U.S. He has in recent days lashed out at Cuomo, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and The New York Times.

More than 4,400 Americans have confirmed cases of the coronavirus, and nearly 90 patients with the virus had died as of Tuesday morning.