Journalist Bob Woodward opened up to CBS’ News’ “60 Minutes” in an interview airing Sunday on the moment in August when President Trump told him, “nothing more could have been done” on the coronavirus.
Driving the news: Trump made the remarks, recorded by Woodward and broadcast by CBS, during one of their final interviews, as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 was surging. “Does he remember what he told me, back in February, about it’s more deadly than the flu?” Woodward said, in reference to an earlier interview with Trump on the virus’ dangers.
- “[I]t almost took my breath away, that there was such certainty, when he was absolutely wrong about the issue that defines the position of this country right now.”
- Woodward said it was a “tragedy” that Trump sought to downplay the virus threat.
- “The president of the United States has a duty to warn. The public will understand that,” he said. “But if they get the feeling that they’re not getting the truth, then you’re going down the path of deceit and cover up.”
Of note: In the interview, Woodward told CBS journalist Scott Pelley that he was present “before the virus was on anyone’s radar” when National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien told the president on Jan. 28, “This virus will be the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency.”