News
For someone who hates the "fake news media" (as he calls them) with a passion, president Trump sure does like doing media interviews and press conferences.
On 21 July it was announced that Trump's daily coronavirus briefings are back on as cases continue to surge across the US.
It's unclear exactly why Trump thinks this is a good idea.
After all, his previous conferences are still remembered for that time he suggested bleach might cure coronavirus, as horrified medical experts looked on.
With this in mind, the expectation for controversy and conflict at Trump's Tuesday night briefing was high... and it didn't disappoint. During the presser he managed to repeat the offensive term "China virus" to describe Covid-19 yet again, continue on with his bizarre claim that coronavirus will just "disappear", and take credit for legislation passed by Obama.
So far, so standard. But there's one moment in particular that left viewers truly shocked.
During the fiery briefing, Trump was asked about Ghislaine Maxwell, the British woman facing charges for facilitating the abuse of minors by her former associate Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump was specifically asked whether he thought Maxwell was likely to "turn in powerful men", with the reporter specifically mentioning Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton, who Trump has alluded to before.
Generally speaking, any association with Epstein or Maxwell is something it's fair to say most people would avoid. But not Trump. Instead, the president gave a rambling response about wishing her well, and seeming to brag about having "met her numerous times" as they both lived in Palm Beach.
"I wish her well" -- Trump on Ghislaine Maxwell https://t.co/bmNLGEczdn— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1595367308
People were largely speechless, unable to understand why Trump would make such a bizarre comment about someone accused of such terrible crimes.
“I just wish her well,” Trump says of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was arrested earlier this month and charged with facil… https://t.co/eP7NEbxBTt— Rebecca Ballhaus (@Rebecca Ballhaus) 1595367193
Trump should be remembered as the man who demanded Hillary Clinton be ‘locked up’ while wishing Ghislaine Maxwell ‘well.’— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1595371031
Trump wishing Ghislaine maxwell WELL is the only honest statement he’s ever made.— ✌🏼rosanna arquette (@✌🏼rosanna arquette) 1595368250
People also suggested that if Trump was going to take this moment to express sympathy, he may want to consider directing it elsewhere.
Because of Trump's mismanagement during the pandemic, 3 million Americans have been infected, over 140,000 have die… https://t.co/oWuaKa6k3z— Andrew Bates (@Andrew Bates) 1595368009
Donald Trump on child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell: “I wish her well.” Donald Trump on Breonna Taylor: “ ... “— Shannon Watts (@Shannon Watts) 1595384012
Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to the charges of helping billionaire Epstein "recruit, groom and ultimately abuse" victims they knew were under the age of 18.
Charges were filed against her earlier this year and is expected to too to trial in July 2021. She will likely remain in prison until then.
Top 100
The Conversation (0)