Analysis: If Trump’s coronavirus finger-pointing works, he has some allies at Fox News to thank
There is an extent to which President Trump clearly thinks that both the World Health Organization and China bear significant responsibility for the extent of thepandemic globally and in the United States. With good reason; the virus emerged in China and inaccurate information from the WHO may have damaged response efforts.
It’s also the case, though, that Trump recognizes it’s more useful to have people talking about China’s culpability or the WHO’s failures than his own. As when he seized upon referring to the virus as— an effort that overlapped with rhetoric that surfaced in conservative media — Trump understands that the years-long pattern of giving his allies something else to point to creates political space for himself.
This tactic also takes advantage of how the media works. News organizations can’t simply ignore the president’sthis week that his administration would restrict funding to an international health organization in the middle of a pandemic, meaning that Trump is able to nudge the public conversation about the pandemic in a useful direction, however slightly.
Has Trump’s announcement effectively shifted the conversation? It’s hard to evaluate. Google search data offers some sense: there are more searches in the United States at the moment for “World Health Organization” than for “coronavirus testing,” the limitations with which Trump has been eager to avoid discussing.
It’s worth noting that this effort to spend more time talking about China’s role in the virus and about the WHO isn’t just something that’s manifested in Trump’s public comments. On Fox News and Fox Business, two networks Trump watches with regularity, more of the discussion has focused on those subjects than on testing. On CNN and MSNBC, the opposite is true.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
The White House shakes up HHSTrump loyalist Michael Caputo is HHS’ new top spokesperson, as the White House tries to exert more control over its health department
Consulte Mais informação »
Construction crews back on the job in Spain, but rebuilding work life won't be simpleCoronavirus-devastated Spain takes first step toward opening its economy: factory and construction work
Consulte Mais informação »
All L.A. residents with symptoms can now get same-day or next-day coronavirus testsCoronavirus: All L.A. residents showing symptoms can now get coronavirus tests
Consulte Mais informação »
Poll: 38% Of College Students Lost Work Because Of CoronavirusNew poll finds the coronavirus outbreak is having a severe effect on college students’ summer work plans.
Consulte Mais informação »