In the midst of a global pandemic in which you are still failing to provide adequate testing for your own nation, it's a good idea to turn your attention elsewhere and go on the attack. Thus, Donald Trump is reportedly planning an onslaught this week directed at the World Health Organization, according to the Washington Post.
Trump is fixated on the idea that the international organization has been too cozy with China throughout this epidemic and suggested Friday that he might temporarily cut off funding to WHO. Genius. As the international body states on its website, "WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable." So in the midst of a pandemic that has already claimed over 115,000 deaths worldwide, it makes sense that right now is the time for Trump to hamstring efforts to contain the virus abroad just like he has done here at home.
Trump’s grousing about WHO follows on the U.S. recently refusing to sign on to a joint G-7 statement about the pandemic because the Trump administration insisted on it being called the “Wuhan virus” in the text.
Continuing with his China fixation at Friday's press conference, Trump complained WHO was "very China-centric," adding " I don’t think it’s fair to the American people.”
The U.S. is the largest contributor to WHO and has promised $893 million to the organization over the current two-year funding period. But the Republican party is on the war path with congressional Republicans promising investigations into the relationship between WHO and Chinese officials.
Trump has promised to expand on problems with the organization this week "in great detail" but said he had been waiting until he had "all the facts."
Sounds like it's gonna be a real treat—another three-hour task force briefing devoted to Trump's grievances.