Trump and the coronavirus: promises and realities 3:05
(WAB NEWS) – Former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump spoke on the phone Monday about the response to the coronavirus pandemic, Trump confirmed.
Trump confirmed his phone call with former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday, calling it a “wonderful and warm conversation” about the coronavirus pandemic. Trump said the phone call lasted “probably 15 minutes” and reiterated that it was a “really good” call.
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“He gave me his point of view and I fully understood it,” Trump said at the White House coronavirus task force briefing.
“I appreciate your call,” said the president.
CNN reported earlier Monday that the Democratic presidential hopeful and Trump had spoken on the phone after the version by two sources familiar with the call and a White House official.
The phone call is a strange moment of direct communication between the two political rivals. Trump has harshly criticized Biden for months, and his efforts to pressure Ukraine to open an investigation into Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, was the catalyst that led to the impeachment process against the President.
Biden has criticized Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, saying the administration was too slow to address the crisis. He has also said that Trump should stop talking and listening more to experts.
“Former Vice President Biden and President Trump had a good decision. Biden shared several suggestions for actions the Administration can take now to address the current coronavirus pandemic and expressed appreciation for the spirit of the American people to meet the challenges facing the nation, “Biden’s deputy campaign manager said in a statement. Kate Bedingfield.
Trump said for his part that he had a “wonderful and warm conversation” with Biden.
“It was a very nice conversation,” said Trump. “He gave me his point of view and I fully understood it.”
Trump said the call lasted about 15 minutes. “It was really good, really nice … I appreciate your call,” added Trump.
The conversation came hours after Trump attacked Biden on Twitter, questioning the delay of the Democratic National Convention until August.
Trump added: “Also, what happened to that phone call that told Fake News he wanted to make me?”
The possibility of a phone call was first raised last week.
“Our teams will be in touch and we will arrange a call,” Bedingfield then replied in a statement, after Trump was asked about Biden’s offer to speak to him at his daily press conference on coronavirus.
“I would absolutely accept your call,” Trump said. “I’d love to speak to him, of course.”
