When it comes to discussing the response to the coronavirus pandemic with former Vice President Joe Biden (D), President Donald Trump would “love” to.
Asked during Wednesday evening’s press conference if he would take a phone call with Biden, Trump responded, “Absolutely.”
“I’d love the speak with him, sure,” Trump said, adding, “I always found him to be a nice guy. I don’t know him very well, frankly.”
“If he’d like to call, I’d absolutely take his call.”
Trump’s latest comments expressing openness to a discussion is a switch up from his previous stance when he said he did not want to “bother” his predecessors regarding the crisis. He also said at the time, “I don’t think I’m going to learn much and, you know, I guess you could say that there’s probably a natural inclination not to call.”
The former vice president’s 2020 campaign is offering to set up a phone call with the president.
Biden’s deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield wrote in a statement on Wednesday evening, “Our teams will be in touch and we will arrange a call.”
See Trump’s comments below:
Additionally, Bedingfield said in a statement on the subject:
“Vice President Biden has been extending his advice for months, and he did so again on the air last night. As he has said repeatedly, Donald Trump is not accountable for coronavirus itself — but he is accountable for the federal government’s slow and chaotic response to this outbreak.”
.@JoeBiden is offering to call @realDonaldTrump to talk #COVIDー19 response, according to his campaign. The offer comes after @KellyannePolls said he should "give [the administration] a call" to offer support, rather than criticizing this AM.
— Molly Nagle (@MollyNagle3) April 1, 2020
Full statement from @KBeds here–> pic.twitter.com/0UQ60kjBIa
Their remarks come shortly after White House counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway tore into Biden on Wednesday for his criticism of the president’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
She questioned during a Fox News interview, “Why doesn’t Vice President Biden call the White House today and offer some support?”
“I guess I would ask Vice President Biden why he can’t call and lend a hand. Doesn’t he think he would actually do better by calling here and trying to help?” Conway added. “But, really, what would he say? What would he have to say?”
It appears that Conway’s challenge for the vice president may actually happen.