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Greg Evans
May 10, 2020
On Saturday the White House released a photograph of Donald Trump's meeting with senior US military leaders and members of his national security team.
Included in the picture are US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and his secretary of defence Mark Esper who along with other officials were closely huddled about a table in the White House.
President @realDonaldTrump met with Secretary @EsperDoD, @SecPompeo, senior military leadership, and national secur… https://t.co/LDdd28KauG— The White House 45 Archived (@The White House 45 Archived) 1589064404
On the surface, there isn't much wrong with this picture but once you put it in the context of what is currently happening in the world, alarms bells start to ring.
This photo was taken just a day after it was confirmed that top aides to both Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump had tested positive for coronavirus forcing them and others that had come into contact with them into self-isolation.
Although Trump has confirmed that he and members of his administration are receiving daily tests but still refuse to follow CDC and even their own advice on wearing a mask when around others.
The fact that none of the people in this photo are wearing a mask or even abiding by social distancing guidelines in a confined room, knowing full well that coronavirus is now in the White House caused outrage.
I don't get it. If aides of these people are testing positive why gather in a closed room without masks? https://t.co/JYkPAHnoEp— Conor Friedersdorf (@Conor Friedersdorf) 1589081425
WHERE ARE THE MASKS https://t.co/JMHyXgpP9P— Dr. Seema Yasmin (@Dr. Seema Yasmin) 1589077807
must be nice to get tested every single day and not take any precautions whatsoever https://t.co/u4MPjMEA8f— russbengtson.eesh (@russbengtson.eesh) 1589077914
In addition, the fact that this photo features nothing but white older men also raised eyebrows.
All 14 people in this photo are white men https://t.co/6O7nRcPeQh— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1589078514
Where are the women? Where are the blacks or Latinos. Is it any wonder we're in the mess we're in. https://t.co/O4PT5QTqA3— Joe Lockhart (@Joe Lockhart) 1589080397
Trump's definition of a diversified meeting is himself, old white military men and sycophant white men. That's Trum… https://t.co/LwRGl6dQ9H— Doc (@Doc) 1589106029
The good news: women and people of color are not exposed to these carriers. https://t.co/gjCJfN0Fqn— Steve Saideman (@Steve Saideman) 1589078900
This photo could have been taken in 1955. https://t.co/uUWRj1Guz3— Clyde Haberman (@Clyde Haberman) 1589076948
No masks, no social distancing. And also no women or people of color? https://t.co/cWZHDLJoRU— Carla Marinucci (@Carla Marinucci) 1589080079
Also, why is Trump meeting with the military during a pandemic and why do they need a map?
Foodlines, record unemployment, trenches for the dead in NYC parks, small businesses failing by the minute, and, oh… https://t.co/9BUH4q3EzL— Nina Burleigh (@Nina Burleigh) 1589079605
I'm dying, what is that map for https://t.co/MeyKsyoXmE— Wojtek the Bear, Ocotillo Guy (@Wojtek the Bear, Ocotillo Guy) 1589080533
At the time of writing, more than 1.3 million people have tested positive for coronavirus in the United States, which has resulted in a reported 79,696 deaths.