Trump Claims Fauci ‘Wrong!’ — But Again Falsely Blames Coronavirus Surge On Increased Testing

TOPLINE

After Dr. Anthony Fauci testified to Congress on Friday that the U.S. has continued to experience a surge in cases — while Europe has better tamed its outbreak — because the U.S. never completely shut down, President Trump called the nation’s top disease doctor “wrong” in a tweet on Saturday, again misleadingly claiming the U.S. has “more cases because we have tested far more than any other country.”

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

“I stand by my previous statement that the increase in cases was due to a number of factors,” including states reopening too quickly and people “congregating in crowds and not wearing masks,” Fauci said during congressional testimony Friday.

Key background 

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the surge in coronavirus cases around the country is due to increased testing. During a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma last month, Trump claimed he told health officials to slow down testing. The White House later said he was speaking in “jest” but then the president said he doesn’t “kid.” 

Tangent

While the U.S. is testing large amounts of people per day, the high demand is causing long delays in testing results. 

Further reading

Fauci testifies ‘highly contagious’ virus won’t disappear, as Trump jeers at Dems (ABC News)

Trump’s Coronavirus Testing Chief Concedes a Lag in Test Results (New York Times)

Fauci: ‘I Don’t Think You Can Say We’re Doing Great. I Mean, We’re Just Not.’ (FiveThirtyEight)

Amid White House Attacks, Polls Show Dr. Fauci Remains Nation’s Most Trusted Voice On Covid-19 (Forbes)