Trump is threatening to withhold coronavirus aid from state governors who refuse to praise him

Trump has got himself into a big mess over coronavirus, hasn’t he?

After weeks of confused messaging, he’s now trying to shift blame for the shortage of medical supplies on governors of states with densely populated areas that are suffering the most from the coronavirus pandemic so far.

But shockingly he​ now seems to be asking for praise in return for federal aid.

When he was asked during a press conference what more he wants them to do, he said:

Very simple: I want them to be appreciative.

Trump singled out two Democratic governors in particular for their criticism of him: Jay Inslee of Washington and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.

The president is apparently still miffed that Whitmer said ten days ago that “the federal government did not take this seriously early enough, and now it is on us to do everything we can.” Trump responded by sayind she “has no idea of what’s going on.”

This feud rumbled on as the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Michigan rose to more than 3,600, triple what it was four days earlier. Detroit is thought to be a potential problem area for new infections.

Trump was unable to hide his anger that these governors have not shown personal gratitude to him, despite the fact that his response to the pandemic has been almost universally criticised.

We have done a job the likes of which nobody’s seen.

I think they should be appreciative, because you know what, when they’re not appreciative to me, they’re not appreciative to the Army Corps, they’re not appreciative to FEMA, it’s not right.

Some governors have praised Trump in order for him to be cooperative. Trump said that Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, has been “appreciative”. Similarly, Trump said that he appreciated the “nice words” of California governor Gavin Newsom. Trump’s newest campaign advert featured clips of Cuomo and Newsom praising him.

While Trump approved Newsom’s request to declare the coronavirus outbreak in California a major disaster very quickly last week, he didn’t do the same with Michigan. Instead he mocked Whitmer in an interview with Fox News, saying:

We’ve had a big problem with the young, a woman governor from — you know who I’m talking about — from Michigan.

She is a new governor and it’s not been pleasant.

Trump’s declaration that “If they don’t treat you right, I don’t call,” in response to a global pandemic, has obviously caused quite the stir online.

The vast majority of people think that the president putting his personal beef with governors over the safety of the public is terrible. Particularly se​e​ing as Trump admitte​d that he​ told Mike​ Pe​nce​ (the​ le​ade​r of the​ US coronavirus re​sponse​) not to call Whitme​r.

This really does feel like a new low for the Trump presidency.