Pirate's Cove

Some in the media were upset that Kayleigh McEnany had comments prepared on the subject, but, really, the press is utterly predictable

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany Is Asked Why She Downplayed Coronavirus Threat — And She Tries To Turn The Tables On The Media

In her second official briefing before the White House press corps, Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked about a comment she made in Feb. 25 on Fox Business Channel, in which she said that because of President Donald Trump, “we will not see diseases like the coronavirus come here.”

At the time, McEnany was working for the Trump campaign as national press secretary.

On Wednesday, Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason asked her whether she would take the comment back, given what has happened since then.

But McEnany tried to turn the tables on the media, suggesting that a number of outlets also downplayed the threat of the coronavirus.

There’s no suggesting about it. You can go find the articles

“I was asked a question on Fox Business about the president’s travel restrictions,” she said. “I noted what was the intent behind those travel restrictions, which is, we will not see coronavirus come here. We will not see terrorism come here, referring to an earlier set of travel restrictions.”

She added, “I guess I would turn the question back on the media, and ask similar questions. Does Vox want to take back that they proclaimed the coronavirus would not be a deadly pandemic? Does The Washington Post want to take back that they told Americans to get a grip, the flu is bigger than the coronavirus. Does The Washington Post likewise want to take back that our brains are causing us to exaggerate the threat of the coronavirus. Does The New York Times want to take back that fear of the virus may be spreading faster than the virus itself. Does NPR want to take back that the flu was a much bigger threat than the coronavirus? And finally, once again The Washington Post, would they like to take back that the government should not respond aggressively to the coronavirus.” She then wrapped up the briefing and left.

Brutal

Like gutting a perch… https://t.co/KWJ7unGTKY

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) May 7, 2020

One of the best parts is the media response. As Mollie Hemingway tweeted “The cry from a journalist of “You were prepared for that!” as she walks off is really one for the ages.”