‘I Can’t Imagine Why’: Trump Denies Responsibility For Spike In Disinfectant Emergency Calls

Last Thursday, Trump suggested at his daily coronavirus press briefing that scientists should investigate whether COVID-19 patients could be treated with UV rays or common disinfectants.

His comments, which he later claimed were “sarcastic”, were widely condemned by doctors who strongly advised against people ingesting the toxic substances, while governors of Maryland and Michigan blamed the comments for a spike in emergency calls.

Reckitt Benkiser, the British company that manufactures Dettol and Lysol, was forced to issue a statement urging people not to drink or inject the products into their bodies, and directed readers to a website about coronavirus facts.

Calls to poison centres in Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and New York City have spiked since Thursday, with people reporting exposure to household cleaners and disinfectants.

But on Monday, Trump denied responsibility for the spike when asked by a reporter, saying “I can’t imagine why. I can’t imagine that.”

When the reporter asked if he took responsibility for the calls, he responded “No, I don’t,” before quickly moving on.