Biden: Trump ‘Knowingly And Willingly Lied’ About Coronavirus Threat For Months

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden responded to new revelations from a forthcoming book by Washington Post columnist Bob Woodward, slamming President Trump for “knowingly and willingly lied” about the threat of coronavirus pandemic weeks before it ripped through the nation.

“We’ve just learned from the Washington Post columnist Bob Woodward that the President admitted on tape in February that he knew that COVID-19 passes through the air,” Biden said at beginning of his speech during a campaign event in Warren, Michigan. “He knew how much more deadly it was than the flu. He knew and he purposefully downplayed it. Worse, he lied to the American people. He knowingly and willingly lied about the threat it posed to our country. For months.”

Biden devoted the majority of his campaign event focusing on attacking Trump instead of unveiling his “Buy American” economic plan, what the campaign billed the campaign event but didn’t publicize the location. During his remarks, the former Vice President accused Trump of purposely lying to the American public and blamed him for costing Americans lives as well as for the economic downturn.

“While a deadly disease ripped through our nation, he failed to do his job — on purpose. It was a life or death betrayal of the American people,” Biden said. “His failure to act not only cost lives – it sent our economy into a tailspin that cost millions more Americans their livelihoods. This is a recession created by Donald Trump’s negligence and unfitness for this job.”

“It’s beyond despicable. It’s a dereliction and a disgrace,” Biden continued. “He’s failed our economy and our country.

But look, did you really expect anything different from this guy? From someone who called those of you and those who are serving in uniform, who have given their lives to the country losers and suckers?” Biden asked, referring to The Atlantic story that claims Trump had made disparaging remarks about members of the military.

“Donald Trump doesn’t understand what it means to serve something bigger than yourself. He doesn’t understand duty, honor, country. He lives by different code: lies, selfishness, greed. Yes, Donald Trump and I have a pretty different philosophy when it comes to giving our word. Mine means something. When I tell the American people I’m going to do something I follow through,” Biden added.

Biden’s response came just hours after Woodward’s released audio conversations with the president that was used for his upcoming book “Rage,” which is scheduled to be released next week. In a Feb. 7 phone call audio clip, Trump is heard acknowledging the danger of pandemic in the beginning of February.

“You just breathe the air and that’s how it’s passed,” Trump said to Woodward that is posted on The Washington Post’s website. “And so that’s a very tricky one. That’s a very delicate one. It’s also more deadly than even your strenuous flu.”

In another conversation on March 19, Trump told Woodward, “I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic.”

Biden’s campaign earlier unveiled a new proposed tax policy and promised a series of executive actions that aim at preventing companies from moving jobs overseas. Dubbed “Made in America,” Biden vows to develop a tax policy that will penalize corporations that move jobs overseas and provide a tax credit to those who keep manufacturing in the U.S.

The former Vice President also vows to implement a 21 percent minimum tax on all foreign earnings of U.S. companies and would use executive orders within his first week as president to enforce existing Buy American rules.