Trump’s handling of coronavirus pandemic ‘shambolic’, says Obama
Comments came as US Covid death crept towards 260,000
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Barack Obama has described president Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic as "shambolic".
Mr Obama said the outgoing commander-in-chief has shown a disregard for scientific evidence and public health advice during the crisis.
The former president also criticised the White House for failing to communicate effectively with the country at the onset of the outbreak.
His comments were broadcast as health officials reported 178,200 new coronavirus infections nationwide and deaths crept towards the 260,000 mark.
"This would have been hard for anyone," Mr Obama told Late Show host Stephen Colbert, without directly naming Mr Trump.
Some aspects of the pandemic response were not "rocket science", Mr Obama added, as he lashed out at the defeated incumbent’s “shambolic” handling of the crisis.
"We're not talking about inventing vaccines, which are now coming on board," he went on.
Mr Trump could have done better by "communicating effectively" and “respecting the science".
Throughout his unsuccessful re-election campaign, Mr Trump repeatedly refused to advise the American people to wear face coverings.
He belatedly did so in July under mounting pressure from public health chiefs.
By that stage, the virus was already spreading rapidly throughout the country, with thousands of people picking up the infection.
Throughout September, cases began to soar as Mr Trump launched a full-on assault at hanging onto the White House.
He crisscrossed the country to hold campaign rallies that were in some cases attended by thousands of people.
By October Mr Trump caught the disease and ended up in hospital, but still continued to flout public health guidelines upon his release.
Earlier this month, one of America's top infectious disease experts, Dr Anthony Fauci, said Mr Trump hadn't attended a coronavirus task force meeting for "months".
Speaking to Mr Colbert to promote his new best-selling memoir A Promised Land, Mr Obama also hit out at Republican lawmakers who gave oxygen to Mr Trump's so far baseless claims of voter fraud at the election.
"One of the big challenges that Joe Biden is going to have is to figure out how to puncture that information bubble that, not just Republican officials, but a sizable portion of voters are in right now,” he said.
Mr Obama also said president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris's future administration would "pay attention" to the country and attempt to "do right by all people and not just some.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments