Trump Plays Doctor, Hyping Anti-Malaria Drug For COVID-19 Treatment

US President Donald Trump speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, at the White House on March 20, 2020, in Washington, DC. - Trump said 'I don't think' US will need national lockdown. (Ph... US President Donald Trump speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, at the White House on March 20, 2020, in Washington, DC. - Trump said 'I don't think' US will need national lockdown. (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

President Donald Trump is a clinical scientist — or at least he plays one on TV.

At a press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic Friday, Trump said he was feeling pretty good about one potential therapy for the respiratory disease, the anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine.

The drug has shown some promise in limited laboratory settings and patient use, but it’s far from a proven cure.

“I am a man that comes from a very positive school when it comes to, in particular, one of these drugs,” Trump said of the drug Friday, adding: “That would be a game changer.”

That clashed with the line from the government’s top infectious disease expert just a minute earlier.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading voice in the government’s COVID-19 response, pointed out that while Hydroxychloroquine had shown “potential” against the disease, it had not been clinically approved for use.

“Dr. Fauci said there is no magic drug for coronavirus right now, which you would agree?” NBC’s Peter Alexander pressed Trump.

“Well, I think we only disagree a little bit,” Trump responded. “Maybe there is, maybe there isn’t.”

The President soldiered on. “I feel good about it,” he said. “That’s all it is, just a feeling. I’m a smart guy.”

“I’m not being overly optimistic or pessimistic,” Trump added. “I sure as hell think we ought to give it a try. There’s been some interesting things happening and some very good things. Let’s see what happens. We have nothing to lose.”

“You know the expression: What the hell do you have to lose?”

Watch below:

Latest News
240
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Here we go again.
    Protozoa that cause malaria are not viruses. I hope the drug works but the chances are slim to none.

  2. Avatar for danny danny says:

    He’s not a president, he just plays one on TV.

  3. Every day now. Every day we’ll see his new reality show. Because he’s a smart guy.

  4. Donnie to news media: Pay no attention to the medical experts behind the curtain!

  5. And 401k’s and stocks will tank

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

234 more replies

Participants

Avatar for playitagainrowlf Avatar for sooner Avatar for imkmu3 Avatar for yskov Avatar for lastroth Avatar for mike_in_houston Avatar for esva Avatar for leftcoaster Avatar for moreyampersand Avatar for khaaannn Avatar for fiftygigs Avatar for flickodathumb Avatar for darrtown Avatar for gailefranz Avatar for tena Avatar for jinnj Avatar for ljb860 Avatar for an_american Avatar for rickjones Avatar for khyber900 Avatar for bloomingpeonie Avatar for greenman66 Avatar for occamscoin Avatar for ojibway66

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: