Trump’s role in coronavirus briefings may be reduced after disinfectant remarks: sources

Trump’s role in coronavirus briefings may be reduced after disinfectant remarks: sources

Trump’s role in coronavirus briefings could even be reduced after disinfectant remarks: sources

BY JONATHAN LEMIRE AND JILL COLVIN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Donald Trump said on Friday that he was being sarcastic when he raised the likelihood of using disinfectant inside people's bodies to fight the coronavirus.

For the first time, President Donald Trump discontinue his daily coronavirus task force briefing on Friday without taking any questions from reporters. it's visiting not be the last time.

There are discussions within the White House about changing the format of the briefings to curtail the president’s role, in line with four White House officials and Republicans near the White House who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to debate the matter publicly.

The briefings often stretch well beyond an hour and have combative exchanges between Trump and reporters.

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Trump was angry after daily of punishing headlines Friday, largely about his comment at the previous evening’s briefing wondering if it might be helpful to inject disinfectant into people to fight the coronavirus. that idea drew loud warnings from health experts who said the concept was dangerous and sharp criticism from Democrats.

Trump did answer questions from reporters earlier Friday and claimed that his suggestion about disinfectant had been “sarcastic.” That doesn’t square with a transcript of his remarks.

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For weeks, advisers are urging the president to chop back his appearances at the briefings, saying that he should precede the cameras only there's major news or a positive development to debate, in line with the officials. Otherwise, they suggested, he should leave it to vp Mike Pence and health officials to need the lead.

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Trump has been reluctant to cede the spotlight at the briefings, which are the closest thing he currently must his beloved political rallies. He has talked up their robust television ratings and his ability to dominate the news cycle and resound his likely election opponent, Democrat Joe Biden.

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But advisers have argued that while the briefings may appeal to his most loyal base of supporters, they will be alienating some viewers, including senior citizens worried about their health.

Officials at Trump’s reelection campaign have also noted a blunder in Trump’s support in some battleground states and have expressed concerns that the briefings, which regularly contain inaccurate information, could even be playing a task

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White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president had taken “countless questions” earlier within the day from reporters within the Oval Office.

“The accessibility and transparency of this President is unprecedented,” she said.

Trump, who is believed for changing his mind, has not committed to any permanent change within the briefing format, the officials said.

It was unclear if Trump’s decision to not take questions on Friday was connected to a kerfuffle within the briefing room moments before the task force presentation began. A White House official had asked that two reporters switch seats, which could have sent the CNN correspondent farther back within the space. CNN may be a frequent target of Trump’s criticism