Trump brings coronavirus presser back, says outbreak will “get worse before it gets better” [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President Donald Trump came out solo for the first time during the White House coronavirus briefing.
• Trump acknowledged the grim reality the U.S is facing, claiming that it will worsen before it gets better.
• The president said he is to resume the daily 5 PM COVID-19 press briefings, as it would also help him with the viewership numbers.

For the first time since the White House had its first daily COVID-19 press briefing in April, President Donald Trump faced the reporters alone as he appeared to discuss the reality about the crisis that plagued the nation.

Trump said: “It will, probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better. [That is] something I don’t like saying about things, but that is the way it is.”

With a noticeable absence of other coronavirus task force members including Vice President Mike Pence, the president added that he regrets saying how bad the pandemic was but acknowledges that it’s how things work.

With the poll results dropping, Trump announced on Monday that he is to bring back the 5 PM ET pressers that helped generate viewership.

While Trump appeared to be clear-headed during the briefing, he relentlessly called the bug as the “China virus,” indicating that the problem originated from China. He also argued that he took the necessary steps as soon as the pandemic started in January.

But the president did not comment if reopening of the states were too early, even though he previously called for it frequently without sufficient measures in place.

During the briefing, he recommended that the public wear a face mask. Trump said: “Whether you like a mask or not, they have an impact. And we need everything we can get.”

Trump tweeted a photo of himself wearing face protection on Monday.

Both Fox News and MSNBC aired Trump’s early remarks live, but CNN opted not to, but the later CNN ultimately joined the presser when Trump entertained questions from attendees.

Trump continued to argue that the U.S.had lower coronavirus death rate compared to other countries, claiming that the infection would disappear, although he seemed to suggest it would only happen if there is a vaccine.

The president also admitted that there are states who have faced an upsurge in cases, such as Florida, where over 10,000 new infections were recorded Monday.

States such as Georgia and California also faced suddens spikes with COVID-19 cases this week.

Trump’s recent press briefing was also one of the shortest he had with journalists since the spring when the sessions usually last over two hours and deviate into many other topics that were not related to the virus.

Source: Deadline