Congressman Harley Rouda Reacts To Tapes Exposing Donald Trump’s Intentional Downplaying of COVID-19 Risks

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Today, Congressman Harley Rouda released the following statement reacting to President Trump’s admission to reporter Bob Woodward that he understood the grave dangers of coronavirus, but downplayed the severity of the COVID-19 crisis to mislead Americans.

“President Trump’s deliberate downplaying of the coronavirus crisis is horrifying. He misled the American people instead of implementing testing, tracing, and masking requirements that would have saved thousands of lives and millions of livelihoods.

Not only does my opponent refuse to put county over party and condemn President Trump — she used his playbook to fail Orange County. Michelle Steel downplayed our community’s coronavirus crisis, reversed a mandatory mask order, and sat idly by as top public health officials were pushed out. I listened to scientists, pushed for a mask order, and brought Orange County $550 million in COVID-19 relief.

Failed leadership from President Trump and Michelle Steel have cost Orange County lives and livelihoods.”