included his name on COVID-19 stimulus checks and sent signed letters to recipients?

After a $1200 stimulus for each American was granted as part of the CARES Act in March, 2020, Trump required that all checks include his name. The last-minute decision likely slowed the sending of paper checks, though a large number of payments were done through direct deposit. This marked the first time a President’s name appeared on any IRS check.

Trump also wanted to have his signature on each check, but is not legally authorized to do so.

Example of stimulus check with Trump’s name in the memo. CNN

The White House also sent a letter, signed by Trump, to approximately 90 million Americans.

Trump’s stimulus letter. Stuttershock

The Washington Post – His name on stimulus checks, Trump sends a gushing letter to 90 million people
The Washington Post – In unprecedented move, Treasury orders Trump’s name printed on stimulus checks
The New York Times – Getting a Stimulus Check? Trump’s Name Will Be on It
CNN – Trump’s name will be added to stimulus checks
CNN – Here’s what the stimulus checks with Trump’s name may look like

said that herd immunity, “like herd mentality,” could solve COVID-19

During a September 16, 2020 town hall hosted by ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, Trump said COVID-19 would go away quickly, even without a vaccine, due to herd immunity.

TRUMP: I’m not looking to be dishonest. I don’t want people to panic. And we are going to be OK. We’re going to be OK, and it is going away. And it’s probably going to go away now a lot faster because of the vaccines.

It would go away without the vaccine, George, but it’s going to go away a lot faster with it.

 

STEPHANOPOULOS: It would go away without the vaccine?

 

TRUMP: Sure, over a period of time. Sure, with time it goes away.

 

STEPHANOPOULOS: And many deaths.

 

TRUMP: And you’ll develop — you’ll develop herd — like a herd mentality. It’s going to be — it’s going to be herd-developed, and that’s going to happen. That will all happen.

But with a vaccine, I think it will go away very quickly.

The threshold for herd immunity, and how long natural antibodies last, were still unclear. However, with the United States’ 3% death rate, half the population contracting COVID-19 corresponds to approximately 5 million deaths.

During the same interview, Trump blamed political opponent Joe Biden for failing to implement a mask mandate, despite only being a candidate.

On the day of the town hall, the United States totaled 6,855,605 cases and 201,351 deaths.

ABC News – Trump’s ABC News town hall: Full transcript
The Washington Post – The problem with Trump’s ‘herd mentality’ line isn’t the verbal flub. It’s the mass death.
The New York Times – What if ‘Herd Immunity’ Is Closer Than Scientists Thought?
The Hill – Trump defends claim coronavirus will disappear, citing ‘herd mentality’
Worldometer – Coronavirus, United States

held a rally that was fined for breaking COVID-19 mandates?

The first rally Trump held since June, on September 13, 2020, was issued a $3,000. A compliance officer noted six violations by the indoor venue regarding state COVID-19 regulations, which mandated an attendance limit of 50, the wearing of masks, and the practice of social distancing. The venue issued temperature checks, had hand sanitizers available, and handed out face masks, though there was no requirement for the crowd to wear them.

On Twitter, Trump said that the state’s Governor tried to require an outdoor venue, before going on to claim that the Governor would assist in rigging the election.

Axios – Trump rally site fined $3,000 for violating Nevada’s coronavirus guidelines
USA Today – Venue owner for Trump’s indoor Nevada rally fined $3,000 by city for violating COVID-19 rules
The Hill – Indoor Trump Nevada rally site fined $3,000 for violating state ban on large gatherings

attacked Biden for failing to implement a national mask mandate?

During a September 16, 2020 town hall hosted by ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, Trump attacked Biden and Democrats for not passing a mask mandate. Biden held no office, and Democrats only had control of the US House of Representatives.

He went on to describe how people don’t like wearing masks:

TRUMP: Well, I do wear them when I have to and when I’m in hospitals and other locations. But I will say this. They said at the Democrat convention they’re going to do a national mandate. They never did it, because they’ve checked out and they didn’t do it.

And a good question is, you ask why Joe Biden — they said we’re going to do a national mandate on masks.

 

STEPHANOPOULOS: He’s called on all governors to have them. There’s a state responsibility…

 

TRUMP: Well no, but he didn’t do it. I mean, he never did it. Now there is by the way, a lot of people don’t want to wear masks. There are a lot of people think that masks are not good. And there are a lot of people that as an example you have…

 

STEPHANOPOULOS: Who are those people?

 

TRUMP: I’ll tell you who those people are — waiters. They come over and they serve you, and they have a mask. And I saw it the other day where they were serving me, and they’re playing with the mask…I’m not blaming them…I’m just saying what happens. They’re playing with the mask, so the mask is over, and they’re touching it, and then they’re touching the plate. That can’t be good.

During the same interview, Trump claimed that herd immunity, “like herd mentality,” meant that COVID-19 would disappear quickly even without a vaccine.

On the day of the town hall, the United States totaled 6,855,605 cases and 201,351 deaths.

ABC News – Trump’s ABC News town hall: Full transcript
Business Insider – Trump criticizes Biden at town hall for not issuing a national mask mandate — but Biden as a candidate has no authority to do so
Worldometer – Coronavirus, United States

scrapped a USPS plan to send free masks to all Americans amid the COVID-19 pandemic?

In April 2020, the USPS planned to deliver five reusable face masks to every residence and PO box. A press release had been drafted to announce the effort, but the plan was ultimately scrapped due to intervention from the Trump administration.

Instead, the Project America Strong program was established, which sought to distributed masks “to critical infrastructure sectors, companies, healthcare facilities, and faith-based and community organizations across the country.”

An administrative official explained that “There was concern from some in the White House Domestic Policy Council and the office of the vice president that households receiving masks might create concern or panic.”

The Washington Post – Newly revealed USPS documents show an agency struggling to manage Trump, Amazon and the pandemic
The Hill – White House nixed Postal Service plan to send face masks to every household in US: report
CNBC – White House abandoned plan to send 650 million face masks across the U.S. in April, report says

knew about and hid the true threat of COVID-19?

In a taped interview with Bob Woodward for an upcoming book, Trump said he knew that COVID-19 was transmitted through the air and was five times deadlier than the flu. The tapes, released September 9, 2020, were recorded during a February 9 interview. On the day the tape was released, the United States totaled 6,549,475 cases and 195,238 deaths.

It goes through air, Bob. That’s always tougher than the touch. The touch, you don’t have to touch things, right? But the air, you just breathe the air and that’s how it’s passed. And so that’s a very tricky one. That’s a very delicate one. It’s also more deadly than even your strenuous flus…This is more deadly. This is 5% versus 1%, and less than 1%. So this is deadly stuff.

In a response the same day, Trump said he downplayed concerns to prevent panic and to act as a cheerleader for the nation.

During a press conference the following day, Trump blamed Woodward for not releasing the tapes sooner if he believed that COVID-19 would be dangerous.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, leading epidemiology expert in the United States, also said in February that there was not yet any need to change habits over COVID-19. However, while his option changed as cases spread throughout the nation, Trump continued to dismiss concerns.

On September 14, 2020, another tape was released of an April conversion:

This thing is a killer if it gets you. If you’re the wrong person, you don’t have a chance…so this rips you apart.

The New York Times – Trump Admits Downplaying the Virus Knowing It Was ‘Deadly Stuff’
Real Clear Politics – Dr. Anthony Fauci On February 29: At This Time There Is No Need To Change Your Habits Over Coronavirus
Vanity Fair – Trump: I Was Being a “Cheerleader” for the Country When I Lied About a Virus That Has Now Killed 190,000 Americans
Business Insider – Listen to Trump privately say in February that the coronavirus is ‘more deadly’ than the worst flu as he publicly lied about the threat
Worldometer – Coronavirus, United States

refused to join global efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine?

On September 1, 2020, the Trump administration announced that it would not join international efforts to develop a vaccine. Managed by the World Health Organization, contribution nations would have access to a portfolio of potential vaccines to ensure access to whichever ones are deemed most effective. In a worst case scenario, if US efforts to develop a vaccine were to fail, they would be left without an alternative.

The administration announced its withdrawal from the WHO the previous July, due to their belief that the organization is too “China-centric.”

On the day the decision was announced, the United States totaled 6,247,527 cases and 188,874 deaths.

The Washington Post – U.S. says it won’t join WHO-linked effort to develop, distribute coronavirus vaccine
Associated Press – US says it won’t join global effort to find COVID-19 vaccine
NPR – U.S. Won’t Join WHO-Led Coronavirus Vaccine Effort, White House Says
Worldometer – Coronavirus, United States

had cadets travel back to campus and undergo quarantine for a speech amid the COVID-19 pandemic?

In April, 2020, Trump announced that he would give the commencement speech for the graduating class at West Point on June 13. West Point officials were reportedly surprised by the decision, as they had sent home the class in March amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the press conference, Trump discussed how the ceremony would be socially distanced, saying that he didn’t like the look and preferred it “nice and tight.”

1,106 cadets were summoned from across the country back to their campus in New York, which was the epicenter of COVID-19 at the time. The graduating cadets were required to live in quarantine for the two weeks leading up to the speech, confined to their dorms and being required to stay in assigned cohorts. 15 had tested positive for COVID-19, though officials said that no one else was infected.

Illinois US Senator Tammy Duckworth, who lost both of her legs serving as a helicopter pilot in the Iraq War, was among the most outspoken critics of the decision:

15 of the cadets tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after their return.

The New York Times – Graduating West Point Cadets Isolate for Two Weeks Ahead of Trump Speech
The New York Times – 15 West Point Cadets Test Positive for Coronavirus
Vanity Fair – Trump Is Making Cadets Return To Campus So He Can Give A Speech
CNN – Trump says he’ll deliver West Point graduation speech to socially distanced crowd

claimed that the “deep state” was delaying a COVID-19 vaccine?

There was no proof or elaboration on the claim.

The Food and Drug Administration is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, part of the executive branch. The head of the FDA, Stephen Hahn, was nominated by Trump on November 5, 2019.

At the time of his tweet, the United States totaled 5,861,632 cases and suffered 180,202 deaths.

Trump has referred to the “deep state” in the past, including the “Deep State Department,” prompting Dr. Anthony Fauci to struggle in holding his laughter.

Reuters – Trump says without proof that FDA ‘deep state’ slowing COVID trials
The Hill – Democrats tear into Trump’s ‘deep state’ tweet: His ‘lies and recklessness’ have ‘killed people’
Wikipedia – Food and Drug Administration
Wikipedia – Commissioner of Food and Drugs
Worldometer – Coronavirus, United States

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