Q And, secondly, on the stimulus questions, where are you on additional assistance for airlines and maybe more of the pandemic unemployment insurance, since both of those things are urgent priorities and it doesn't look like Congress is going to act? What's the President prepared to do on both of those issues?
MS. MCENANY: The President has mentioned previously that he wanted to take a good look at airlines and help where he can. Of course, we need Congress in a lot of this. He's always made clear that his big priority, number one, is unemployed Americans and Americans who have been hurt by this pandemic. His EO really clarified his priorities - the four EOs on eviction; and the payroll tax, which helps low- and middle-income Americans primarily; and unemployment insurance; and student loan debt relief. That's his priority, unlike Nancy Pelosi, who took a vacation and went to a hair salon when the men and women of San Francisco did not have the access that she did.
Q Can I follow up on payroll taxes, actually -
MS. MCENANY: Sure.
Q - since we've mentioned payroll taxes? Is the President disappointed with the large number of employers who are not taking up him and the Treasury Secretary on the payroll tax deferral?
MS. MCENANY: The President believes that companies should take him up on that. He has always said that he's interested in giving a payroll tax forgiveness for those who do participate, because it's very important that those making less than $100,000 have this relief at this time.
Raquel.
Q Hi, Kayleigh. Thank you. I've got two questions, if I may. One, is the White House aware of the allegations of healthcare abuse in ICE detention centers?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, I have not followed up on that. I'd have to refer you to DHS. I did see that report just before coming out here, but I refer you to DHS.
Q Okay, and another question: A new survey showed that the image of the U.S. in the world is the worst in 20 years, and President Trump is less trusted than Putin or Xi Jinping after COVID response. So why do you think many countries don't trust President Trump right now?
MS. MCENANY: Look, this President has led the greatest responseto COVID. I've already walked through how well we're doing vis-à-vis the rest of the world.
Also worth noting, U.S. - we had the smallest economic contraction of any major Western country in the first half of the year.
Also want to note that, in 2019, real median household income grew by more - this is last year alone - real median household income grew by more than all eight years of Obama-Biden. And in 2019 - so, last year - real median household income for African Americans rose 8 percent. And that is more than double the gains of Obama-Biden in eight years.
So this President has led economically. He's led on COVID. And when you look at what he did just yesterday with these landmark peace agreements that haven't been done in a quarter of a century but President Trump made it happen, he is a great diplomat, a great peacemaker, and I think him being nominated for two Nobel prizes says it all.
Yes.
Q Can I ask a question on -
Q Yeah, just on - just, can I ask you, on the great success story you've talked about, about COVID: In the richest country in the world, you have 4 percent of the global population and 24 percent of the coronavirus deaths. How is that a success story?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, when you look at - again, we have - Europe has 28 percent higher excess mortality rate, and -
Q Yes, but - no, look at the global numbers that I'm giving you, which is 4 percent of the population, 24 percent of the deaths from COVID. Isn't that - how can that be a success?
MS. MCENANY: Yes, and I'm giving you the numbers that we believe are very indicative of where we stand vis-à-vis the rest of the world. Excess mortality is an indicator that takes into account the percent deaths above what would occur without a pandemic. It counts the excess mortality.
And what we see is that we are 28 percent -
Q But what about the numbers I gave you?
MS. MCENANY: - under Europe. You have to look at this holistically. You have to look at total and aggregate -
Q But (inaudible) global number.
MS. MCENANY: - how many deaths have occurred in this country, and compare that to Europe and the excess mortality rate and case fatality and testing. We have exceeded in our response, and this President is very proud of the great work that this administration has done.
Yes.
Q Is Michael Caputo welcome back after his 60-day leave after encouraging his followers on Facebook to stock up on ammunition?
MS. MCENANY: I'm not going to weigh into any personnel matters. As you know, he has taken a leave of absence. That was announced just before I came out here.
But what I will weigh into is the Middle East peal [sic] - the Middle East peace deal signed yesterday that I did not receive a single question about. That was the first time it's happened in a quarter of a century.
If Obama and Biden had achieved this, there would - it would look a lot different. You wouldn't have Chuck Todd saying he's uncomfortable with a deal that brings peace between the United Arab Emirates and Israel and Bahrain. You wouldn't have CBS calling it, quote, a "business deal." And you wouldn't have Nancy Pelosi calling it a "distraction." Maybe it's a distraction from her visits to the hair salon, but those were significant agreements. First time in a quarter of a century; three peace deals in 29 days. It took 26 years for the prior peace deals.
So this - the Nobel Peace Prize nomination for the President - two of them - very well deserved.
Thank you.
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