Boldly Committed to Truth Telling in the False Face of Fakery
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany | 9/16/20
And if you want more, come join us here.
Yes.
Q Thank you.
Q No, that's not the point why I asked the question. I think you know that.
MS. MCENANY: Okay, I've called on your four times. So, Mario, go ahead.
Q Thanks, Kayleigh. When should we expect the President to make a decision on TikTok? And to what degree is that decision delayed by just disagreement among his senior advisors?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, so we will have a decision here in short order. I'm not going to get too far into it because I don't want to get ahead of the President, but obviously we care deeply about protecting the data and security of American citizens.
Yes.
Q Thank you, Kayleigh. Two questions. One is, is about vaccines. Some people within the Trump administration indicate that there might be a vaccine within a few weeks. Right now, we're all being tested for COVID. Are there going to - are you going to require vaccine - that we'd be vaccinated to enter the White House complex?
MS. MCENANY: I'm not going to get ahead of any hypothetical. Right now, we're hard at work at actually getting the vaccine, and then plans for distribution will be determined thereafter. There were some guidelines put out today to that effect, about how they'll be distributed by HHS and DOD.
Q Okay. Okay. And also, one thing is that Bob Woodward said that the President's response to COVID was, quote, "a monumental, catastrophic leadership failure." That this is a "tragedy for Trump and for the country." What is your response to that?
MS. MCENANY: That it's absolutely preposterous and absurd. Look at the facts, look at the data. Look at the fact that Europe, for instance, has experienced a 28 percent higher excess mortality rate than the United States. Look at the fact that we have one of the lowest case fatalities in the world. Look at the fact that, from scratch, we developed the largest and most advanced testing system in the entire world, testing more than every country in Europe put together and more than every nation in the Western Hemisphere combined. Look at the fact that we have three vaccines in phase three clinical trial.
That is a historic response. Mobilizing the private sector, the fastest - or mobilizing the private sector to the greatest degree since World War Two. This President has broken through barriers. He's a businessman. He's the Commander-in- Chief. He's the leader of the country, and he has done a "phenomenal" job, to quote none other than Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Q Yeah, I was letting a colleague finish. Can I ask my question?
MS. MCENANY: No, I'm not going to reward not speaking up and asking your question.
Go ahead.
Anyone else? Yes.
Q Go ahead.
Q Okay, thanks. And the President said on Twitter today that Republicans should go for a much higher number when it comes to the stimulus. What did he mean by that exactly? And has he spoken to Senator McConnell or Speaker Pelosi about what number he has in mind?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, so what the President was referring to was the $500 billion bill that passed the Senate. The phase four plan that didn't include - excuse me, it didn't - it got 50 votes in the Senate. It's that $500 billion "skinny" proposal. But it didn't include direct payments. So he wants more than the $500 billion, and he is very keen to see these direct stimulus payments, and we hope that Nancy Pelosi will work with us in good faith.
There are many bipartisan proposals out there that have merit. And a clear example of where Nancy stands is that everyone wants to be - in D.C., seems to want to make a deal, except Nancy Pelosi. She wants to play politics. Look at the letter she wrote condemning the Problem Solvers group proposal. That was a $1.5 trillion plan that, if the priorities were modified and made sure that there was not bailout that bailed out states that didn't have COVID-related issues, that just were blanket bailouts to blue states, that's something that we would entertain and look at. But Nancy Pelosi immediately decried that proposal in a letter because she's not interested in a deal.
Yes.
Q Kayleigh, could I just ask really briefly, following up on Mario's question: You know, Trump has said that he wants to see TikTok's U.S. operations being sold to a U.S. company, and our reporting suggests that under proposals submitted to CFIUS, ByteDance would retain a majority stake in TikTok. So does the President still want TikTok to be sold to a U.S. company? Or is he now with okay with TikTok potentially remaining under Chinese ownership?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, this is an ongoing negotiation, and I'm not going to offer any further comment beyond any of the President's public remarks.
Yes.
Q Hi, Kayleigh. I pulled up, I think, that quote that you were talking about. The President said last night: "They come over, they serve you" - he's talking about waiters - "and they have a mask." "I saw it the other day where they were serving me, they're playing the mask. I'm not blaming them; I'm just saying it happens." And then he starts talking about Dr. Fauci.
My question is: Why is he quoting Dr. Fauci's guidance from like five months ago, instead of what the head of the CDC is saying today on masks?
MS. MCENANY: Well, both propositions he agrees with. And thank you very much for reading the second part of the quote.
First, he agrees with the consensus that mask wearing is important and recommended. I have here, and I'll make sure you all get a copy of all of the times he has said that from this podium, and I can read them, but it would probably bore you. He's called it "patriotic" to wear a mask, but he also recognizes that mask needs to be worn appropriately, which is the point Dr. Fauci was making. He was making that point in March, but it was an important point to make that we should all wear our mask appropriately.
Q And then it's totally unrelated, but Roger Stone said on a radio show the other day - he said U.S. Marshals should seize the ballots in Nevada on Election Day because he's called it corrupted. Is that something the President is comfortable with - using federal power to seize ballots during the count?
MS. MCENANY: I have not spoken to him about that, nor do I think he's ever seen those comments.
Yes.
Q Yes, if you'll allow me, I have a question from a colleague because I'm the pooler today, and then I'd like to ask my own.
From a colleague: In lifting tariffs on Canadian aluminum, the USTR announced yesterday it would review shipment levels six weeks after the end of September - a timeline that extends beyond the election. Was the President worried that those tariffs and the anticipated retaliatory action from Canada would endanger his reelection chances?
MS. MCENANY: I've not spoken to the President about Canadian tariffs. I haven't followed up on that matter.
What was your other question?
Q The second one is: Does the President have any evidence to back up his suggestions that Joe Biden is a pedophile or taking drugs? And without such evidence, if he's simply speculating, why should the public trust him on anything else?
MS. MCENANY: I'd have to refer you to the campaign. I'm not here to talk about Joe Biden.
Yes.
Q Thank you, Kayleigh. With Hurricane Sally making landfall in Alabama and hitting the Florida Panhandle, a couple of questions related to that: Has the President spoken directly to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis or any of the other governors affected by this storm? And, at the same time, has the federal government made any changes to its programs since Hurricane Michael or the way it communicates with the state of Florida?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, I haven't asked the President about who he's called specifically. I know the White House - I've spoken with IGA. I know the White House has certainly been in contact and the Chief of Staff.
But in terms of the hurricane, we - this President is engaging on an important response. FEMA is active. We have high-water rescue teams, IMAT teams, disaster medical assistance, generators, 1.8 million meals, 1.5 million bottles of water. And as FEMA Administrator Gaynor has said, we are coordinating with the states right now. We have a significant footprint in Louisiana because of Hurricane Laura, so we are well postured. We're leaning into it to make sure that we meet all the needs of all three of those states.
Q Are you aware, though, of any changes since Hurricane Michael that are being applied to this specific response?
MS. MCENANY: I've not looked at changes with hurricane response. But this President knows how to respond and will do so, and protect the men and women of those three states.
Q And if I may, I also have the transcript from last night. I just wanted to ask about one other line -
MS. MCENANY: Okay.
Q - and get clarification. The President did say, "There are a lot of people that think masks are not good." Who are the people he's referring to? The "lot of people."
MS. MCENANY: He was meaning that they're not - there are people who think they're not good when not used appropriately, as I've mentioned several times in this briefing.
Yes.
Q Thank you, Kayleigh. Two questions, if I may. One is - I suppose has to be a hypothetical: But if someone who was at the ceremony the other day for the signing of the accords tested positive for coronavirus subsequently, would everyone who was present at the signing of the accords be notified through contact tracing?
MS. MCENANY: We do contact tracing, so close contacts are always notified.
Go Back
Yes.
Q Thank you.
Q No, that's not the point why I asked the question. I think you know that.
MS. MCENANY: Okay, I've called on your four times. So, Mario, go ahead.
Q Thanks, Kayleigh. When should we expect the President to make a decision on TikTok? And to what degree is that decision delayed by just disagreement among his senior advisors?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, so we will have a decision here in short order. I'm not going to get too far into it because I don't want to get ahead of the President, but obviously we care deeply about protecting the data and security of American citizens.
Yes.
Q Thank you, Kayleigh. Two questions. One is, is about vaccines. Some people within the Trump administration indicate that there might be a vaccine within a few weeks. Right now, we're all being tested for COVID. Are there going to - are you going to require vaccine - that we'd be vaccinated to enter the White House complex?
MS. MCENANY: I'm not going to get ahead of any hypothetical. Right now, we're hard at work at actually getting the vaccine, and then plans for distribution will be determined thereafter. There were some guidelines put out today to that effect, about how they'll be distributed by HHS and DOD.
Q Okay. Okay. And also, one thing is that Bob Woodward said that the President's response to COVID was, quote, "a monumental, catastrophic leadership failure." That this is a "tragedy for Trump and for the country." What is your response to that?
MS. MCENANY: That it's absolutely preposterous and absurd. Look at the facts, look at the data. Look at the fact that Europe, for instance, has experienced a 28 percent higher excess mortality rate than the United States. Look at the fact that we have one of the lowest case fatalities in the world. Look at the fact that, from scratch, we developed the largest and most advanced testing system in the entire world, testing more than every country in Europe put together and more than every nation in the Western Hemisphere combined. Look at the fact that we have three vaccines in phase three clinical trial.
That is a historic response. Mobilizing the private sector, the fastest - or mobilizing the private sector to the greatest degree since World War Two. This President has broken through barriers. He's a businessman. He's the Commander-in- Chief. He's the leader of the country, and he has done a "phenomenal" job, to quote none other than Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Q Yeah, I was letting a colleague finish. Can I ask my question?
MS. MCENANY: No, I'm not going to reward not speaking up and asking your question.
Go ahead.
Anyone else? Yes.
Q Go ahead.
Q Okay, thanks. And the President said on Twitter today that Republicans should go for a much higher number when it comes to the stimulus. What did he mean by that exactly? And has he spoken to Senator McConnell or Speaker Pelosi about what number he has in mind?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, so what the President was referring to was the $500 billion bill that passed the Senate. The phase four plan that didn't include - excuse me, it didn't - it got 50 votes in the Senate. It's that $500 billion "skinny" proposal. But it didn't include direct payments. So he wants more than the $500 billion, and he is very keen to see these direct stimulus payments, and we hope that Nancy Pelosi will work with us in good faith.
There are many bipartisan proposals out there that have merit. And a clear example of where Nancy stands is that everyone wants to be - in D.C., seems to want to make a deal, except Nancy Pelosi. She wants to play politics. Look at the letter she wrote condemning the Problem Solvers group proposal. That was a $1.5 trillion plan that, if the priorities were modified and made sure that there was not bailout that bailed out states that didn't have COVID-related issues, that just were blanket bailouts to blue states, that's something that we would entertain and look at. But Nancy Pelosi immediately decried that proposal in a letter because she's not interested in a deal.
Yes.
Q Kayleigh, could I just ask really briefly, following up on Mario's question: You know, Trump has said that he wants to see TikTok's U.S. operations being sold to a U.S. company, and our reporting suggests that under proposals submitted to CFIUS, ByteDance would retain a majority stake in TikTok. So does the President still want TikTok to be sold to a U.S. company? Or is he now with okay with TikTok potentially remaining under Chinese ownership?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, this is an ongoing negotiation, and I'm not going to offer any further comment beyond any of the President's public remarks.
Yes.
Q Hi, Kayleigh. I pulled up, I think, that quote that you were talking about. The President said last night: "They come over, they serve you" - he's talking about waiters - "and they have a mask." "I saw it the other day where they were serving me, they're playing the mask. I'm not blaming them; I'm just saying it happens." And then he starts talking about Dr. Fauci.
My question is: Why is he quoting Dr. Fauci's guidance from like five months ago, instead of what the head of the CDC is saying today on masks?
MS. MCENANY: Well, both propositions he agrees with. And thank you very much for reading the second part of the quote.
First, he agrees with the consensus that mask wearing is important and recommended. I have here, and I'll make sure you all get a copy of all of the times he has said that from this podium, and I can read them, but it would probably bore you. He's called it "patriotic" to wear a mask, but he also recognizes that mask needs to be worn appropriately, which is the point Dr. Fauci was making. He was making that point in March, but it was an important point to make that we should all wear our mask appropriately.
Q And then it's totally unrelated, but Roger Stone said on a radio show the other day - he said U.S. Marshals should seize the ballots in Nevada on Election Day because he's called it corrupted. Is that something the President is comfortable with - using federal power to seize ballots during the count?
MS. MCENANY: I have not spoken to him about that, nor do I think he's ever seen those comments.
Yes.
Q Yes, if you'll allow me, I have a question from a colleague because I'm the pooler today, and then I'd like to ask my own.
From a colleague: In lifting tariffs on Canadian aluminum, the USTR announced yesterday it would review shipment levels six weeks after the end of September - a timeline that extends beyond the election. Was the President worried that those tariffs and the anticipated retaliatory action from Canada would endanger his reelection chances?
MS. MCENANY: I've not spoken to the President about Canadian tariffs. I haven't followed up on that matter.
What was your other question?
Q The second one is: Does the President have any evidence to back up his suggestions that Joe Biden is a pedophile or taking drugs? And without such evidence, if he's simply speculating, why should the public trust him on anything else?
MS. MCENANY: I'd have to refer you to the campaign. I'm not here to talk about Joe Biden.
Yes.
Q Thank you, Kayleigh. With Hurricane Sally making landfall in Alabama and hitting the Florida Panhandle, a couple of questions related to that: Has the President spoken directly to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis or any of the other governors affected by this storm? And, at the same time, has the federal government made any changes to its programs since Hurricane Michael or the way it communicates with the state of Florida?
MS. MCENANY: Yeah, I haven't asked the President about who he's called specifically. I know the White House - I've spoken with IGA. I know the White House has certainly been in contact and the Chief of Staff.
But in terms of the hurricane, we - this President is engaging on an important response. FEMA is active. We have high-water rescue teams, IMAT teams, disaster medical assistance, generators, 1.8 million meals, 1.5 million bottles of water. And as FEMA Administrator Gaynor has said, we are coordinating with the states right now. We have a significant footprint in Louisiana because of Hurricane Laura, so we are well postured. We're leaning into it to make sure that we meet all the needs of all three of those states.
Q Are you aware, though, of any changes since Hurricane Michael that are being applied to this specific response?
MS. MCENANY: I've not looked at changes with hurricane response. But this President knows how to respond and will do so, and protect the men and women of those three states.
Q And if I may, I also have the transcript from last night. I just wanted to ask about one other line -
MS. MCENANY: Okay.
Q - and get clarification. The President did say, "There are a lot of people that think masks are not good." Who are the people he's referring to? The "lot of people."
MS. MCENANY: He was meaning that they're not - there are people who think they're not good when not used appropriately, as I've mentioned several times in this briefing.
Yes.
Q Thank you, Kayleigh. Two questions, if I may. One is - I suppose has to be a hypothetical: But if someone who was at the ceremony the other day for the signing of the accords tested positive for coronavirus subsequently, would everyone who was present at the signing of the accords be notified through contact tracing?
MS. MCENANY: We do contact tracing, so close contacts are always notified.
| Day Two of CISA Cybersecurity Summit | News Services, Government, State and Federal | Beaufort County Emergency Management: COVID-19 Update (9-24-20) |
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