Trump Prepares For Rally At U.S. Coronavirus Epicenter

Topline

President Donald Trump is set to hold his Saturday night, primetime rally just over a week before Election Day in Wisconsin—a state at the heart of the midwestern epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, which on Friday saw the U.S. shatter its record for new cases in a single day.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“It will go away, and as I say we’re rounding the turn, rounding the corner,” Trump said at Thursday night’s presidential debate. Trump has repeatedly used similar phrasing, which seems to be the exact opposite of what scientific data shows is actually happening in the country. According to a Forbes tracker, Trump has made statements that the U.S. is “rounding the turn” on 36 of the past 54 days.

Key Background

Trump is ramping up his rallying efforts around the U.S. as he attempts to overcome polling that show him losing the election to Democrat Joe Biden, including the state of Wisconsin, which he won in 2016. Trump’s rallies feature large, packed, mostly maskless crowds, which violate guidelines sent out by his own administration on how to lessen coronavirus spread.

Chief Critic

Biden told supporters in Pennsylvania Saturday that he enjoys up-close campaign events, but doesn’t want to hold “superspreader” gatherings, which appeared to be a shot at Trump for his rallies.

What To Watch For

New cases have been spiking quickly around the U.S. since mid-September, with hospitalizations beginning to spike around the start of October. Deaths, which lag behind increases in other stats, had remained steady—until about a week ago. The death toll has been spiking rapidly since, with no signs of a slowing in new cases.

Big Number

224,537. That’s how many Covid-19 deaths have been reported in the U.S., as of Saturday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins.

Further Reading

U.S. Shatters Daily Covid Record With Over 83,000 New Cases (Forbes)

Trump Has Said U.S. Is ‘Rounding The Turn’ On Coronavirus 36 Of The Last 54 Days (Forbes)

Today’s 2020 Election Polls: Biden Wins Final Debate, Still Leading In Pennsylvania And Michigan (Forbes)

Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus