Donald Trump claims 'time will tell' who won US elections, vows no lockdown as long as he's in power
Donald Trump recently proclaimed that 'time will tell' who actually won the US presidential election, adding that no Covid lockdown will be mandated as long as he's in power in his first in-person speaking appearance before the press since Joe Biden was projected to become the next president. Taking the podium in the White House's Rose Garden shortly after his North Carolina win on November 13 afternoon, the sitting president was still projected to lose the election to his Democratic rival.
Trump refused to take any questions from reporters as he addressed the topic of Operation Warp Speed which refers to the coronavirus vaccine that he claimed was "unequaled and unrivaled anywhere in the world." He also shared that other world leaders have called him to "congratulate us on what we’ve been able to do." According to the president, the federal goverment's $1.95 billion deal with Pfizer aims to distribute 100 million doses of the pharmaceutical company's Covid vaccine to the people of the US. The update on Operation Warp Speed comes five days after Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their leading vaccine candidate is more than 90% effective against Covid-19, based on preliminary phase three tests.
Trump noted that although the vaccine will be available by April 2021, New York will be exempted for "political reasons." He followed it up with criticism against New York's Democratic Gov Andrew Cuomo, alleging mishandling of the outbreak in hospitals throughout the state. "We cant be delivering [the vaccine] to a state that won’t be giving it to its people immediately," Trump said. He added: "I know the people of New York very well, I know they want it." Thi criticism comes after Cuomo hinted earlier his week that he won't allow distribution of a vaccine under Trump administration.
In his Rose Garden address, he then stressed the administration's refusal to go into lockdown, also implying for the first time ever that he might have lost the election. "Whatever happens in the future who knows… which administration will be...," he said, adding: "I guess time will tell but I can tell you this administration won't go into lockdown." The president made these claims in the wake of more than 153,000 new coronavirus infections that were reported on November 13, states the Washington Post, marking the 17th time in nine days that cases reached new heights that were gravely concerning. The records also saw at least 66,000 Americans were hospitalized for the virus.
President-elect Biden however had released a statement before Trump's speech, where he requested citizens "regardless of who they voted for" to continue sticking to social distancing norms and washing their hands. "I understand it’s not easy. I know people are tired. But this will not go on forever. We are moving toward a vaccine. We are improving our ability to test. We are developing better treatments. We can get through this — and come out the other side stronger. But right now is a moment for shared responsibility and shared action. Together, we have the power to rein in this virus. And I promise you, from the moment I am sworn in on January 20, I will do everything in my power to lead this unified national effort,' Biden said in his statement on Covid-19.