President Donald Trump is firing back at the governors who are critical of the White House’s coronavirus task force’s response efforts.
The president took to Twitter on Thursday with multiple tweets aimed toward governors, who he described as “complainers.”
Despite the concerns about medical shortages — of items such as N95 masks, personal protection equipment (PPE), coronavirus testing kits, hospital beds, ventilators, and more — Trump insists the federal government is doing a good job, meeting the medical needs of each state.
“Massive amounts of medical supplies, even hospitals, and medical centers, are being delivered directly to states and hospitals by the Federal Government,” Trump tweeted.
The president went on to suggest that some governors are “never satisfied.”
“Some have insatiable appetites [and] are never satisfied (politics?),” he wrote. “Remember, we are a backup for them.”
“The complainers should have been stocked up and ready long before this crisis hit. Other states are thrilled with the job we have done. Sending many Ventilators today, with thousands being built. 51 large cargo planes coming in with medical supplies. Prefer sending directly to hospitals.”
Check out Trump’s tweets below:
….have been stocked up and ready long before this crisis hit. Other states are thrilled with the job we have done. Sending many Ventilators today, with thousands being built. 51 large cargo planes coming in with medical supplies. Prefer sending directly to hospitals.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 2, 2020
Trump’s tweets come days after his criticism of the governors during a coronavirus news briefing.
During Friday’s coronavirus press conference, the president revealed to reporters that he had told Vice President Mike Pence not to call governors who are not “appreciative” of the White House coronavirus task force’s response efforts. At the time, he called out governors in Washington and Michigan.
“If they don’t treat you right, I don’t call.”
“When they’re not appreciative to me, they’re not appreciative to the Army Corps [of Engineers], they’re not appreciative to FEMA. It’s not right,” Trump added.
See Trump’s remarks below:
'Don't call the governor of Washington. You're wasting your time with him': Trump suggests Vice President Mike Pence not contact governors who aren't 'appreciative' of the federal government. Follow live coronavirus updates here: https://t.co/2VKa9edlGS pic.twitter.com/zQg1EOL5ws
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2020
As of Thursday afternoon, the United States had more than 226,000 positive coronavirus cases as governors continue struggling from testing shortages.