Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to take the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine despite warnings against using the drug for the coronavirus.
During an appearance for Yahoo! News’ Town Hall on Tuesday, Biden recalled Trump’s latest remarks where the president disclosed that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure for the coronavirus.
In response to Trump’s claims, Biden wonders, “What in God’s name is he doing?”
“It’s like saying maybe if you inject Clorox into your blood it may cure you. C’mon, man! What is he doing? What in God’s name is he doing?”
See Biden’s remarks below:
Biden went on to scold Trump while stressing the importance of the president’s words. He also compared Trump’s stance to Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to not take the unproven drug, labeling the president’s actions as “absolutely irresponsible.”
“The things the president is saying… the words of a president matter,” Biden said. “You heard the vice president today or yesterday say ‘I’m not using it. I’m not using it.’ The vice president of the United States. Look, this is absolutely irresponsible.”
The former vice president went on to note the fact that several medical experts are advising against the drug.
“There’s no serious medical person out there saying to use that drug. It’s counterproductive,” he added. “It’s not going to help, but the president, he decided that’s an answer.”
Biden’s criticism comes just shortly after Trump disclosed that he had been taking hydroxychloroquine for more than a week. When asked for clarification, the president explained that he was taking the drug as a preventative measure, as previously reported on IJR.
“I’m taking hydroxychloroquine,” Trump said. “I’ve been taking it for the last week and a half. A pill every day.”
Despite heightened criticism and warnings from health experts and federal agencies, Trump has continued to defend his decision to take hydroxychloroquine.