Navarro Laments The ‘Politicization’ Of Coronavirus As He Does Just That

White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro speaks to the press about former National Security Advisor John Bolton's upcoming book release, outside of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 18, 2020. (Photo by SAUL L... White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro speaks to the press about former National Security Advisor John Bolton's upcoming book release, outside of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 18, 2020. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) MORE LESS
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White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Monday griped about the politicization of the coronavirus — even as he referred to it as the “China virus” during an interview on “Fox and Friends.”

After “Fox and Friends” co-host Steve Doocy brought up that some are suggesting that President Trump wants an “October surprise” with a COVID-19 vaccine that would potentially boost his re-election prospects, Navarro launched into a xenophobic rant about being fed up with the “politicization” of the coronavirus.

“Look, I think we are all tired of this politicization of the China virus,” Navarro said.

Navarro claimed that he was personally involved on behalf of the President in working with HHS on Operation Warp Speed — the Trump administration initiative to accelerate the development, manufacturing and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments — two months before it launched in April.

Navarro went on to boost Trump by arguing that the potential deployment of a COVID-19 vaccine in January 2021 is a “testament to a President who is business-oriented” and “knows how to get things done.”

Navarro then went back to urge against talking about politics regarding the Trump administration’s efforts to combat COVID-19, before once again politicizing the coronavirus himself.

“We are fighting this China virus battle on all vectors of attack,” Navarro said, before saying that tomorrow “we’re going to have a big trip and a big surprise there as well.”

This is far from the first time Navarro referred to the coronavirus as the “China virus” — a xenophobic term that hinges on the first reported case of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. The President himself continues to use the terms “China virus” and “Chinese virus.” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also referred to the coronavirus as the “Wuhan virus.”

Earlier this month, Navarro attacked Dr. Anthony Fauci in an op-ed published in USA Today. The newspaper issued an editor’s note soon after intense backlash ensued over the publication of Navarro’s op-ed, saying that it failed to meet USA Today’s fact-checking standards.

Watch Navarro’s remarks below:

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