CNN’s Jake Tapper is not afraid to critique President Donald Trump, especially for his response to the coronavirus crisis.
Tapper asked a question on Sunday that he says Americans need answered.
“What’s the plan? Is there a plan?” Tapper asked.
His monologue included a list of issues the health care industry is facing amid the outbreak including providing testing, personal protective equipment, the production of ventilators, and masks.
Watch his comments below:
.@jaketapper directly addresses Pres. Trump: “The American people … need someone to explain what is going to be done to get us out of this. It’s a moment that requires leadership. It requires honest information. It requires empathy and it requires a plan. Do you have one?” pic.twitter.com/9tmWWjE3FH
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) April 5, 2020
He opened with the issue of testing and asked if Trump had a plan to provide widespread testing. He asked several questions on the topic including how the tests will be administered, who will be paying for the tests, and who will notify Americans of their results.
Tapper transitioned to discussing PPE. Keeping with the theme, he asked if Trump had a plan to provide enough PPE to health care workers and pointed out they are dying while trying to save the lives of others.
His monologue pivoted to how governors are vying for equipment, including ventilators. Tapper suggested it is not clear if Trump has utilized the Defense Production Act.
The Defense Production Act is designed to “allow the U.S. government to speed production of masks, respirators, ventilators, and other needed equipment,” as IJR previously reported.
He considered whether Trump has asked companies to make ventilators and when they will be made.
Tapper touched on the issue of masks. He questioned whether cotton masks the CDC is suggesting Americans wear are being produced and where Americans can get them.
He began to close his message by explaining how Americans are less concerned with Trump’s popularity and more concerned with answers to these questions.
“The American people, right now, need someone to explain what is going to be done to get us out of this. It’s a moment that requires leadership. It requires honest information. It requires empathy and it requires a plan. Do you have one?” Tapper asked.