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Greg Evans
Oct 08, 2020
Donald Trump has been criticised for using a racist term when thanking Boris Johnson for his support during his battle with coronavirus.
Both world leaders have had well-documented positive tests for coronavirus this year, with Johnson being hospitalised for a significant amount of time during the pandemic.
Trump, who only tested positive for Covid-19 last week, spent just a few days in hospital before returning to the White House where he has since speculated that he could be 'immune.'
In a tweet posted by the president on Wednesday evening, Trump said that he had just spoken to Johnson and that he was 'very thankful for his friendship and support as I recovered from the China Virus.'
Trump has been using phrases like 'China virus' and 'Wuhan flu' since the start of the pandemic as a way of blaming China for the spread of the disease. Many have criticised Trump for using 'racist language' but the president has defended himself by saying that "it's not racist because China is where the virus came from."
The fact that Trump has continued to use this term and has now used it in a tweet where he has also tagged the British prime minister has predictably caused further outrage.
HOW IS HE ALLOWED TO SAY STUFF LIKE THIS AND STAY THE PRESIDENT HE MAKES ME WANT TO EAT SAND https://t.co/F5HwxBkC2K— al (@al) 1602113861
These are our allies now. This is the star to which the UK has hitched its wagon. Good luck to us all. https://t.co/HeXYdn3bJx— Alex Andreou (@Alex Andreou) 1602112867
As Number 10 doubtless turn their attentions to how to get close to a potentially suspicious and prickly Biden Whit… https://t.co/IGbYoVpSi5— Lewis Goodall (@Lewis Goodall) 1602111291
Your friend: -The Covid denying, science ignoring, mask refusing, bleach endorsing, President Britain 2020 https://t.co/Kq8wLXazwh— Paul Johnson (@Paul Johnson) 1602110454
Back to his racist bullshit. Even while living with Covid-19 . Which is what it’s called. https://t.co/V0lTEUljZN— Colin Hanks (@Colin Hanks) 1602108496
We also shouldn't forget what Johnson has said about Trump in the past.
@realDonaldTrump @BorisJohnson I wish I could say the feeling is mutual. https://t.co/wV2uVt2VfV— Parody Boris Johnson (@Parody Boris Johnson) 1602108423
The contrast between Johnson and Trump's response to coronavirus has been clear.
Although Johnson has been criticised for some aspects of the UK's reaction to the pandemic, he did take a two-week break from his duties as prime minister and even hired a personal trainer, recently admitting that he thought he was 'fat.'
In comparison, Trump has said that he 'feels better than he did 20 years ago' but has also put others at risk by having secret service agents to drive him so he could wave at supporters outside the Walter Reed Medical Centre in Maryland.
The president also made a show of tearing off his face mask on the Truman Balcony of the White House when he returned from hospital on Monday, an act which saw him compared to Benito Mussolini.