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Trump attacks Biden for 'destroying futures' with Covid-19 school closures, Internet says 'this idiot just lies'

'Biden's Covid-19 relief bill provides $170 billion to schools to allow them to safely reopen – something Trump failed to do,' a user commented

Former President Donald Trump made his much-anticipated speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Sunday, February 28, 2021. In his first major address post his presidency, he attacked President Joe Biden on a host of issues, one of which was school closures amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. With the Covid-19 pandemic still raging through the US, schools are coming up on a year of being closed. Blaming the media, Trump reportedly said, "their (the media) callous indifference towards working families equally clear when it comes to the critical matter of getting America's children back to schools."

Trump was addressing a large crowd of supporters at the right-wing conference in Florida and his speech also went to promise that he would return as the Republican presidential candidate in 2024. Allegedly, Trump also said that he wouldn't form another party, which some expected him to do. 

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'Futures destroyed by anti-science school closures'

Trump received a standing ovation for calling for children to "get back right now" to schools. His speech echoed the sentiments of many parents, who are now demanding the reopening of schools, while officials and teachers are arguing against it. 

The former President also picked up on the fact that the Biden administration was providing education for migrant children. He said, "The Biden administration is actually bragging about the classroom education they are providing to migrant children on the border. While at the same time, millions of American children are having their futures destroyed by Joe Biden's anti-science school closures." 

He argued that the reason children can't go to school is that "Biden sold out to the teacher's unions". Trump spent the next few minutes further attacking Biden on the issues as the crowd cheered on. In reality, though, many children are already back at school. According to data from Buribo, as of February 22, 42.6% of students between grades K and 12 are attending in-person schools daily. A further 26.3% are attending hybrid schools. Only 31.1% of students are attending classes virtually. 

Biden has promised to get most schools reopened by May, with virtual education disproportionately affecting minority children. There is also an argument for reopening schools, as CNN noted that "there's mounting evidence that Covid transmission in schools is low, even when there's a high rate of infection in the community." But, many teachers' unions and experts are calling for more virtual education as many schools don't have the space to practice social distancing. 

Right now, there is no effective federal or state-level policy for school closures. Whether schools are open or not is entirely up to the district, they can choose to follow the advice of the CDC or the government but aren't forced to. From the data, it is clear that many aren't and choosing to return instead. 

Social media calls out Trump's hypocrisy

Some Twitter users got behind Trump, arguing for full reopening. Defending Trump, one user said, "Only reason Trump didn't demand all schools open is his respect for Federalism and our states rights to sovereignty. Since we know Biden doesn't care about America he should make schools open!!!"

Conservative media advocate and former GOP congressional candidate Ford O'Connell also backed Trump, tweeting "Trump is right: “Biden sold out our kids to the teacher’s unions.” It’s going to scare a generation if the majority of schools don’t open now."

Many others though, called out Trump's hypocrisy, reminding him that schools were closed under his presidency. One user tweeted "Does Trump not remember he was president for quite some time during covid while the schools were closed? Why is he calling on Biden to open them if he couldn’t even do it himself? Do presidents even have to power to do so?" That was echoed by another user who said, "this idiot just lies and lies and those MAGA idiots eat it all up. Under trump schools were closed!! Under Biden schools are reopening."

Another user pointed out that Biden's America Rescue Plan actually provided money for schools, tweeting "Biden's COVID-19 relief bill provides $170 billion to schools to allow them to safely reopen – something Trump failed to do."

One user said, "Trump is talking about all the things Biden hasn't done, like reopening schools. Does he forget he was President 6 weeks ago? And he knows the President has zero authority to open or close schools. He spent all of his time after Nov 3 trying to overturn the vote."