Report: Trump Privately Asks Why Government Can't Just Let COVID 'Wash Over' The Country

[CatWoman]

President Donald Trump reportedly has been privately suggesting an eyebrow-raising solution to the COVID-19 outbreak consuming the nation: Let it keep doing that.

The Washington Post reported on Saturday that during a Situation Room meeting on the pandemic in March, Trump asked White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci, “Why don’t we let this wash over the country?”

Two unnamed sources told the Post that Fauci was stunned by the question.

“Mr. President, many people would die,” the doctor reportedly told Trump.

Other unnamed officials said that Trump has “repeatedly” (in the Post’s words) asked the same question in the Oval Office.

Trump reportedly began mulling over the idea after hearing about the United Kingdom’s now-abandoned “mitigation” strategy that would let COVID-19 spread throughout the country with few movement restrictions imposed on the population in the hopes of building a “herd immunity” against the virus.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-ask-why-government-let-coronavirus-wash-over-country?fbclid=IwAR0zc2nYWRLNkieh-o47aHtUDZFXehRAIdDwrK23IU11_NLBj372suPpmwQ

[Thomas Hurt]

1. Is that really so surprising, had the good Dr. not already figured out that Trump is sociopath.

[SoonerPride]

2. "Why do we have these nukes if we can't use them?"

The fundamental and easiest questions of avoiding mass death escape someone without a shred of empathy. His NPD is a clear and present danger to every living thing on the planet.

[forgotmylogin]

95. He can go first.

Let it wash over him.

[The Magistrate]

3. Only Someone Deeply Disturbed Could Contemplate It, Ma'am

A mind and personality would have to be utterly incapable of empathy to imagine human beings could bear it.

[TwilightZone]

7. It's been pretty well established that he's a sociopath.

He might be a psychopath. He's probably a psychopath.

[elleng]

19. Not merely a sociopath;

I've known one of those, and he would not have thought or said this.

Psycopath more like it.

[keithbvadu2]

44. Had to look them up. The differences seem minute.

Had to look them up. The differences seem minute.

They seem to do pretty much the same behaviors/actions but the psychopath seems to be slightly more deliberative and self-controlling.

Psychopathy is traditionally a personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits. It is sometimes considered synonymous with sociopathy.

Psychopaths tend to be more manipulative, can be seen by others as more charming, lead a semblance of a normal life, and minimize risk in criminal activities. Sociopaths tend to be more erratic, rage-prone, and unable to lead as much of a normal life.

sociopath - a person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience.

[Laelth]

55. Personally, I am of the opinion ...

... that there are no significant, relevant differences between any of the Cluster B disorders. Sociopath/Psychopath, Narcissist, Borderline, Histrionic ... they are all emotional children who are incurable, untreatable, and whose destructive behaviors get worse over time. Their condition is genetic and widespread—roughly 1 in every 8 humans. They can’t be helped—only avoided.

-Laelth

[GreenPartyVoter]

73. Well, sucks to be in that group, then. (Which I am.)

Not that you aren't wrong, exactly, but neither am I. *sigh*

[Laelth]

112. I do not envy people with Cluster B disorders.

That I can say.

-Laelth

[whathehell]

104. Two Big Differences..

Histrionics and those with Borderline Personality disorders are certainly not without empathy and they ARE treatable.

[Laelth]

113. They're usually women.

Whereas those given the Sociopath/Psychopath and Narcissist labels are usually men.

That's the only difference that I can see.



-Laelth

[whathehell]

114. Is there.an assumption here that

because they're women, they have empathy?

I'm not sure from what vantage point you "see" these
disorders, but it's likely not a professional.one.

Lack of empathy is simply not part of the symptomology of Hysteria or Borderline Personality disorder. Period. Full stop.

[Laelth]

115. I think you are right.

There is an assumption that women must have empathy, and that assumption may prevent accurate diagnosis of persons who suffer from Cluster B personality disorders. That assumption is, tragically, embedded in a previous post of yours in this thread where you assert that Borderlines and Histrionics (mostly women) can be treated. At the same time, you make no allowance that the men who suffer from Cluster B disorders (Sociopaths/Psycopaths and Narcissists) can be treated.

In my opinion, lack of empathy IS a symptom of any person who suffers from a Cluster B personality disorder--male and female alike. They're all great actors, however. They can "display" empathy at will whether they actually have it or not, but our prejudices about women, perhaps, make the female displays of pretend-empathy more believable.

And, yes. I am an amateur. If that allows you to dismiss my contributions and insights, fine. I am merely doing my part to share what I have learned from extensive experience and extensive study.

-Laelth

[TwilightZone]

74. One common differentiator: sociopaths have a weak conscience, psychopaths have none.

"A key difference between a psychopath and a sociopath is whether he has a conscience, the little voice inside that lets us know when we’re doing something wrong, says L. Michael Tompkins, EdD. He's a psychologist at the Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment Center.

A psychopath doesn’t have a conscience. If he lies to you so he can steal your money, he won’t feel any moral qualms, though he may pretend to. He may observe others and then act the way they do so he’s not “found out,” Tompkins says.
Continue Reading Below

A sociopath typically has a conscience, but it’s weak. He may know that taking your money is wrong, and he might feel some guilt or remorse, but that won’t stop his behavior."

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/sociopath-psychopath-difference#1

Though, that's not a universal interpretation. Many use the terms interchangeably.

[elleng]

81. Thanks. I've read that, recently, 'sociopath' definition has changed;

was easier to understand before, and more in keeping with my personal experience.

[Eyeball_Kid]

87. Sociopath or Psychopath? Spuds or Potatoes.

At the end of the day, both will do the same thing: offend victims deliberately when nothing will stop them. I won't feel any better if a sociopath murders a member of my family while feeling "some guilt or remorse" as compared with no guilt at all. The deed was evil and it was done. That's what matters.

[Ohioboy]

96. It's sad that we are even needing to talk about this

Literally, this is a discussion of where the leader of our country falls on the personality disorder spectrum. Think about that. At what point in this nation's history have we ever had to wonder if the president showed more signs of being a sociopath or a psychopath?

[TwilightZone]

98. Agreed.

Many presidents have had tendencies, but I think even the closest second is quite a distance from Trump.

[MyOwnPeace]

102. At least as sad.....

we have a part of our congressional body that refuses to do anything about it, even though they could (25th amendment).
What has become of the "ideals" of that great democracy "of the people, by the people, and for the people?"

Lincoln would cry.................

[bdamomma]

79. Have those

certain political congress people been briefed by Psychiatric and Psychology officials about this sick sick cretin? He is a threat to himself and others, when will this be shouted out or will we have to shout it out, how many more Americans will die because of this sick thing.

[pandr32]

41. I would say definitely a psychopath

When you look at the checklist he fits the bill--easily. If he hadn't been so wealthy and privileged from birth he likely would have spent most of his life incarcerated.

[demtenjeep]

46. how about a petulant piece of pus

or just a fucking asshole

[klook]

50. "petulant piece of pus" seems about right: PPPOTUS (nt)

[Blue_true]

83. Every thing boils down to dollars and cents to him.

That is the only measure that he recognizes. He is a model for the saying "pennywise and pound foolish".

[certainot]

77. actually his mentor limbaugh suggested 'herd mentality' worked for california so maybe

that's what the RW strategy is to prevent having to think about this complicated issue. just make it simple, ignore it.

so limbaugh cited a rw hack (victor david hansen or something like that) who wrote in the SF chronicle (i think) that may be why california is not as bad as NY - that the virus was spreading around california for a while before it was detected

the 'suggestion' is maybe that's the way to do it - ignore it and let it run it's course - so by ignoring it, or being really fucking stupid, or purposefully delaying action because even if it's not ebola it might just be usable to disrupt the elections -- and the the orange asshole was doing it right!

all ignoring that NY is much more densely populated - a lot more elevators and apartment halls etc, and that it was getting it from europe sooner than thought, and that maybe californians were taking the social distancing seriously at the same time

ignoring it also ignores the highly contagiouss nature of it, the toll it takes on a hospitals and staff and all the people who can't get care while the whole US does an italy

what really scares these fucking republicans is that it makes the real solutions and future prevention clear and escalates calls for what limbaugh was suggesting was the reason for the 'hoax' - to force big govt socialist solutions

[Texaswitchy]

4. This is why he wants to open up the country.

What a sick bastard .

[Disaffected]

5. Trump:

"Tell someone who cares".

[TheBlackAdder]

80. Will it wash away that stench & stain of the Trump family and their cohorts? If not, F.O. COVID-19!

[Iliyah]

6. I'm pretty sure that is what t-rump is doing right now . . .

Why has it been so hard for doctors and nurses and other services to get PPEs and medical equipment. Hardly any testing equipment. Shows favoritism towards red states. Jared claiming the medical supplies were theirs not ours.

Republicans saying nothing, even backing him up. They have blood on their hands.

[malaise]

9. THIS

I sure can't rule it out

[Meowmee]

92. This for sure, he is doing his best to do it. None of this had to happen

[stopwastingmymoney]

109. At least some of these elected Rs must observe what is happening

in New York and know that it’s coming to their states next

Right?

[Siwsan]

8. He is totally devoid of empathy, so this is precisely what I'd expect him to ponder

Unless and until it affects him or someone he cares about (meaning Ivanka) he's going to remain blindly ruthless.

[sop]

17. We need the virus to "wash over" the whole Trump clan.

[bdamomma]

82. I agree

they deserve to be "washed over".

These are all criminals from the party of tRump, to these thuggish rich bastards who like to steal from us, steal our elections and treat us with disrespect and disdain, dumbing down the masses to further manipulate us to their sick selfish greed. The tables will turn they always do, it's a matter of time and our survival.

[RockRaven]

10. HE. IS. A. SOCIOPATH.

I don't have adequate words for how much a loathe him.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

36. Yes, more than narcissistic, undeniably a sociopath. He doesn't care. Nor does his wife and daughter

[liberalmuse]

47. There are no words in the human language to express my loathing, either.

Perhaps I should learn Klingon.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. "What's the big deal if people die? We have lots of people."

[niyad]

12. Any lingering doubt in sane people's minds that that traitorous, murdering psychopath wants us

all to die should now be forever buried.

WHAT A FUCKING MONSTER. MaY he, and all his enablers, contract fatal cases of this virus. A scourge for a scourge.

[MineralMan]

13. Lock Him Up!

Before he kills us all!

[bdamomma]

84. Our fear

will turn to anger, and it will be unleashed. I don't think we can wait for November's election. We here at DU can see what is happening, this is not normal, our medical professionals are crying out for supplies.

We have a very dangerous POS illegally in the WH. A lot of criminal activity is taking place, and we are being killed by an empty sick suit. He is no pResident, he is a criminal.

[Cicada]

14. I think giving out small pox blankets didn't really cure it

I’m not sure infecting people on purpose works.

OAN, a pro Trump outlet, has pitched this insane idea.

[2naSalit]

15. I've been saying for a while now...

this is intentional, confiscation equipment that would help us and sending broken shit to hospitals in need not allowing testing by hampering the CDC and not cooperating with anyone but putin. Pretty clear and present danger there.

He wants to see if he can top his idol's death toll.

[dewsgirl]

20. +1000

[liberalmuse]

49. I think he's doing a cleansing of us "poors".

And probably giving those respirators and other equipment to his donors and sychopants.

[2naSalit]

51. Most likely on both...

us taker out here in the real world need our government, whom we fund, has been overtaken by despots and is literally trying to kill us.

[warrior1]

16. None of this is normal.

Imagine if a democratic president were to say this.

[NanceGreggs]

18. And the really scary part is ...

… that Trump is SO stooopid, he believes that if the virus was allowed to spread unchecked, the survivors would mournfully bury their dead relatives, neighbours and friends – and then rush to the polls in November to vote to re-elect him.

[Marie Marie]

54. Sadly, many would.

[elleng]

21. This DEMANDS that the cabinet+ invoke the 25th Amendment.

Section 4.
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

[babylonsister]

37. That would work for all of us! nt

[elleng]

42. Demands ACTION, b'sis.

I've posted @ fb, and think EVERYONE must do EVERYTHING we can.

Will inform my Senators, Rep, and Governor (Hogan.)

[DENVERPOPS]

63. Does anyone think that his cabinet

is going to have him removed????? Trump is their meal ticket to staying in Federal Office.

Even if they did go thru the 25th's drawn out process, I would be frightened to leave Trump in power for ANY length of time.
He's the kind of Psychopath that would probably like to go out with a bang......no pun attended.

And it's along way, from Nov 4th to January 20th, who knows what he could do during THAT amount of time, along with his administration and Republican Senators........

I keep saying, WASF

[elleng]

65. Not likely, but after so much serious anti-social/anti-democratic/anti-American crap

coming out of his mouth, it's time to make NOISE, and get the public inflamed enough to force action.

[DENVERPOPS]

67. People, the Republican Senators

are the key to this whole mess. Getting rid of just Trump doesn't get us anywhere.......
Without the Republican's control of the Senate, Trump evaporates in a second. If a Democrat get's elected, same as before Lardass was appointed president, the Republican Senate totally obstructed every thing Obama tried to accomplish......

WASF

[elleng]

68. Clearly.

[stopwastingmymoney]

110. Absolutely right

[TwilightZone]

75. The sociopaths in his cabinet aren't going to get rid of the sociopath at the top.

Nor are the GOP sociopaths in Congress.

[bdamomma]

86. This

is the only option left the 25th is needed, the election is in November and we see already they are continuing to steal the election again.

All roads lead to Putin. I don't doubt this for a minute.

[Mr.Bill]

22. Sure, let's start by giving it to everyone in the Trump family

and everyone who works at the White House. Then send them out into the masses to see what happens.

[Totally Tunsie]

45. That's one way of getting them out of there.

[patphil]

23. Lets look at the numbers on this.

Currently about 2% of the population has been tested, and over 500K cases have been found.
Those tested were ones with recognizable symptoms.

Assume 1 in 10 of the actual cases have been tested, that's 20 million of 325 million, or 1/16 of the population of the United States that has probably had the virus.
So, multiply 500,000 times 16 and we get 8 millions cases serious enough to warrant testing if we just let the virus rage through the population.

And we now have over 20,500 dead. Multiply that by 16 and we get 328,000 deaths.
Of course, without any efforts to mitigate the rate of infection, the real number of dead would be much higher due to massive overloading of the health care system.

I can't even imaging the number that would die with that approach.
And, don't forget, that a significant number of the survivors would have serious, long term health problems. Not to mention the psychological trauma the whole country would experience.
The damage to the economy would easily be just as severe, and the death toll would probably be 20 or more times higher.
This is hardly a reasonable alternative to shutting things down.

Unless you're a callous, unloving, uncaring, self-absorbed, greedy narcissist who doesn't give a shit about the country as long as the money kept flowing into the coffers of his businesses.

[not fooled]

24. his actions to date show he's doing exactly that

Thom Hartmann yesterday said that given there's evidence trump knew back in late December, including about the significant impact coronavirus would have, the most likely explanation for him doing nothing is that he WANTED to let the virus run through the country to get to "herd immunity" ASAP so that businesses including his could get back up and running as soon as possible. Remember he's been in touch with fellow ahole Boris Johnson who believed the exact same thing. trump also knew the impact would hit worst among people who were not his supporters, so it's a twofer for the sociopath.

[crickets]

69. Tragically accurate.

Without having to actually admit that it's what he is doing, the policy and behavior coming from the White House and some Repub governors has caused as much of a 'wash through' as he could possibly get away with up to this point.

[Azathoth]

25. Yeah, the Boris Johnson strategy sounds great. How's that working out for him?

nt

[sop]

26. Maybe Trump believes the only possible way he can be re-elected now is by accelerating

the process and hoping all the deaths will be forgotten by November. I guess Trump's counting on Americans having really short memories, and tragedies being quickly forgotten. Either that, or the guy's a f***ing psychopath.

[Flaleftist]

27. I reallly wish some of these people will turn their phones on record whenever they are near Trump.

I know not everyone who has the chance to be in a meeting or within earshot is a sycophant, but anyone who does and realizes what he is should try to get a record.

[greatauntoftriplets]

28. He can go first.

[underpants]

29. An option in any decision is to - Do Nothing

That being said, I think this is based on the fact that if he did anything it would mean he was initially wrong. I think he knows he makes mistakes but I know that he simply can’t ever acknowledge them. It’s not how he works. Always positive. The Church of Norman Vincent Peale.

[subana]

30. what a fucking moron!!

remember before he went into office, he asked, "if we have nukes, why can't we use them?"
that's what this quote reminds me of!

[milestogo]

31. What a horrible man he is.

[keithbvadu2]

32. "now-abandoned" - That should be a hint.

"now-abandoned" - That should be a hint.

But he never checked that far?

[WVreaper]

33. Bankruptcy!

Trump will soon be bankrupt if this goes on much longer. He has to get his properties opened back up ASAP. He is knee deep in debt. Why do you think that he does not want his tax returns released.

[Blue Owl]

34. Tell us more of your ideas, Dr. Bodybags!

[Cha]

35. "Wash over" "tremendous" Assface.

[shanti]

38. So he DOES want

millions to die. OK then.

[Arkansas Granny]

39. US citizens are expendable when it comes to the economy.

[Rebl2]

40. Please Mr.

President, you and your family go first as well as your whole administration and their families. Go right on ahead. You go first.

[gristy]

43. Just like he asked in the summer before the election why he can't use nukes

https://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/03/trump-asks-why-us-cant-use-nukes-msnbcs-joe-scarborough-reports.html

[BootinUp]

48. Trump doesn't hide the fact he is a monster. nt

[Zambero]

52. One orange plague washing over us is enough

Enough already!

[Celerity]

53. Sweden hides in the corner...

[Hoyt]

56. I can understand asking a lot of brainstorming questions, ONCE early on.

But, REPEATEDLY. Christ.

[GaYellowDawg]

57. Let it wash over his family first.

And then all the Executive branch, and then all of his sycophants at Faux, and then all the Republicans in Congress, and then all his billionaire backers, and then let's see what the fucker would think of that.

[Rebl2]

60. ABSOLUTELY!

[Beringia]

58. Thanks Dr Frankenstein

[ooky]

61. I wish it would wash over him.

[TheFourthMind]

62. We deserve so much better than this. n/t

[Lancero]

64. The modern pox party

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_party

[kairos12]

66. Mass murderer.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

70. Keep in mind that was what Boris Johnson advocated.

And the country of Sweden. Alas, Trump is not the only one.

[Dem2]

71. "You first"

End of argument.

[iluvtennis]

76. + 1. nt

[Baclava]

72. He been listening to Dr Mengele again, so its herd experiments now

[Turbineguy]

78. A reasonable question

for him.

[peggysue2]

85. This is just another nail in this sucker's political coffin

When he claims 'some people said?' Always remember, it's Donald Trump who said, claimed, insisted that the country should just ride this pandemic out. Despite the deaths, the suffering and national anxiety. He and his enablers sat on their hands while Americans sickened and died. He did nothing when he could have prepared the country and lessened the effects of the viral spread. Which would have lessened the economic result. He did nothing because that's what he wanted to do: NOTHING.

This is what happens to those drawn to magical thinking, gut instincts and aversion to facts.

Never forget, never forgive.

I sure as hell won't!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

88. Dolt45 is a worse virus!!

[Cha]

89. ".. mr president.. ".. mr "Tremendous"

Assface

[dalton99a]

90. Trump wants to kill Americans.

[Gothmog]

91. Boris Johnson and UK started to adopt this approach and abandoned it

This approach would result in millions of dead Americans

[MFM008]

93. Elect a sociopath

Expect a genocide.

[rocktivity]

94. He got his wish -- that's EXACTLY what it's doing

rocktivity

[Ohioboy]

97. Trump proves how stupid he is once again

[Mc Mike]

99. Maybe dropping a couple of nukes would help break this thing up?

Give me the football.

[littlemissmartypants]

100. He can carry the flag.

The rest of his ilk can bring up the rear.

[doc03]

101. That's about what Kudlow said if 11 million people die it

would be better than hurting Wall Street. I think Limbaugh has made similar comments. I heard Tucker Carlson
spouting the same line a day or two ago.

[warmfeet]

103. It would mean millions,

to perhaps over 10 million dead Americans. Beyond insanity, beyond evil. These fuckers all need to go. They want us dead.

[blakstoneranger]

105. HIS FAMILY!!

Make no mistake, he never once considered the fact that his own family might be seriously affected. Why, because in his mind, his family would not suffer from infection. AS LONG AS THE TRUMP FAMILY IS OK, HE COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE REST OF US AND THAT INCLUDES HIS SUPPORTERS!!!

[TheReckoning]

106. Start with Mar-A-Largo . . .

. . . during a Trump golf weekend with a few hundred of his friends.

[colsohlibgal]

107. He Is Disgusting

Not only a terrible President but a terrible human. Not one bit of empathy in his demented head.

And dumb as a box of rocks too.

There is something really wrong when tens of millions will still vote for that in 2020.

[KayF]

108. Kim Jong Un is going to get jealous

Trump has fallen in love with the Invisible Enemy.

[VOX]

111. 45 & R's know damn well that POC, urban dwellers & coastal states are bearing the brunt...

Most of whom vote mainly Democratic. I would NOT put it past 45 & his ghouls to calculate how many Democrats (vs. Republicans) might be eliminated.