Reporters from mainstream media outlets pushed a quote without providing vital context to how the federal government is helping the states while posting a New York Times story about President Trump's teleconference meeting with state governors and how they can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, commonly known as the Wuhan virus or Chinese coronavirus.
The issue was how one quote made it seem like Trump was telling state governors to fend for themselves to get respirators and ventilators for severe cases of COVID-19. Many of the reporters left out the second half of Trump's quote, where he stated, "We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself."
Wow.
— Julie Bosman (@juliebosman) March 16, 2020
“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” Mr. Trump told the governors during the conference call. via @jmartNYT https://t.co/RKZusLK5oY
Trump to governors: “Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves" https://t.co/E3Y24vhxot
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) March 16, 2020
Trump tells governors not to wait for federal government to look for needed medical equipment on their own. “Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment—try getting it yourselves,” he told them on the call, according to recording obtained by @jmartNYT https://t.co/vlOR08SeXK
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) March 16, 2020
Trump told governors this morning they are on their own:
— Mara Gay (@MaraGay) March 16, 2020
“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” Mr. Trump told the governors during the conference call, a recording of which was shared with The New York Times. https://t.co/K0sont7MBc
President Trump told a group of governors on Monday that they shouldn’t wait for the federal government to help fill the need for respirators. “Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” he said during a conference call.https://t.co/XMqLEYCVTg
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 16, 2020
Trump told governors they should not wait for the federal government to fill growing demand for respirators.
— Cliff Levy (@cliffordlevy) March 16, 2020
“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” Mr. Trump said.https://t.co/A14I2TiTvZ
Trump's point was that if state governors can get respirators and ventilators themselves more quickly than going through the federal government, then they should do so. However, the federal government will be assisting in providing medical equipment.
The controversy over half of the quote was asked during the White House's press briefing on Monday.
Most likely because of tweets like this and many others from reporters, Trump was asked about half of this quote and not the full quote.
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) March 16, 2020
Trump said if states can get ventilators directly and more quickly, then they should, but the federal gov will also help get more ventilators. https://t.co/6XMyb9KVCW pic.twitter.com/TdMAwOtzgz
Times reporter Julie Bosman defended sharing the quote out of context "because the second part of the quote repeats the first part, twice."
because the second part of the quote repeats the first part, twice.
— Julie Bosman (@juliebosman) March 16, 2020