Bizarre, Media, Politics

A Vast Virus Conspiracy?Clinton Accuses Trump Of “Racist” References To The “Chinese Virus” To “Distract” The Public

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has joined other critics of President Donald Trump in denouncing what she sees as racist language being used to “distract” the public. She is referring to Trump’s reference to the “Chinese virus.” The reference to the origin of the virus is fairly common and it is hard to see how such a reference “distracts” anyone from any aspect of the pandemic. China does appear to have failed to immediately notify the world of the virus or share accurate information in the early critical period. The response of China this week was to throw out reporters from leading media organizations for reporting on the origin and spread of the virus in China. Two Chinese experts referred to this as the “Wuhan virus” until they were pressured to take down their column. Now, it appears that others want all reference to the origins barred as an act of racism.

Clinton tweeted that “The president is turning to racist rhetoric to distract from his failures to take the coronavirus seriously early on, make tests widely available, and adequately prepare the country for a period of crisis. Don’t fall for it. Don’t let your friends and family fall for it.”

Fall for what, precisely? How would referring to the origin of the virus excuse any early failures?

Trump has defended the reference and made specific mention of the claim by a high-ranking official that the virus may have been a bio-weapon designed and released by the U.S. military — a preposterous allegation. Again, as China expels reporters and spreads this conspiracy theory, the origin of the virus is a matter of discussion. I personally do not use the term “Chinese virus” because that seems inaccurate and not based on the recognized scientific terminology. I also agree that it seems gratuitous and may increase the ridiculous and horrible attacks on Asians by unhinged individuals. However, the term was used by many scientists and experts in the early days. If “Chinese virus” or “Wuhan virus” racist, how about the continued use of the “Spanish flu” which was always based on a misconception of the origin?

What I cannot see is how this controversy is part of, to paraphrase an earlier Clinton expression, a “vast right-wing conspiracy” to distract people from early failures. The respected Dr. Anthony Fauci has repeatedly said that Trump was not responsible for the lack of testing kits or the delay. The Administration is holding daily pressers with the President with instructions, and increasingly tough measures, for preparation. That does not seem to fit with Clinton’s warning for people not to be lulled by Trump in failing to prepare.

What I do see is a raw politicalization of the crisis to suggest a racist conspiracy without acknowledging the extensive measures already enacted to combat the virus. There is no question that Trump offered reckless and inaccurate statements in the early days of the crisis, as noted even by some conservative sites. However, I am not sure what still can be done further or if enough was done fast enough. Fauci did not believe that there was a failure at the policy level, but the jury will be out until after this crisis and a full review is possible. However, this narrative seems more driven by politics.

310 thoughts on “A Vast Virus Conspiracy?Clinton Accuses Trump Of “Racist” References To The “Chinese Virus” To “Distract” The Public”

    1. Initially it was called the Wuhan virus because that’s the only place it existed. Then it was called the Chinese for the same reason. At some point, after it spread outside of China, it became known as “the Coronavirus” or COVID-19. Those are the only terms that health care professionals are using.There is absolutely no good reason for Trump or anyone else to refer to it any other way.

      1. no reason except the fact it came from there

        get off this point, it’s feckless.

        I use coronavirus or covid-19 for quite some time now but nobody seems to know what that is. at least not until this week. belatedly. because back when it broke the mass media was still pushing the impeachment hoax, remember that?

        1. I do remember that, Kurtz. I also remember you saying it would take Xi out of office.

          Feel that about Trump as well?

  3. CLINTON can’t get over her loss. How much did the Chinese contribute to her failed election?

    Trump is the only President, except for Teddy Roosevelt to speak his mind. It came from China and China is not cooperating still hiding info. Also, the question is still out there about the origin, 13 of the 41 original people had no relationship to the MKT. So where did the virus originate from? China will not tell us?

    20 years from now Clinton will be still be upset about her failed election

    1. She didn’t lose–she won the popular vote, but lost the Electoral College due to strategic targeting of social media by Russians trying to help Trump cheat his way into the White House.

      You characterize Trump’s knee-jerk blathering as “speaking his mind”. The rest of us see it as the floundering of a narcissist who is in over his head, who has always prioritized personal attention and adulation, and who is clueless as to what to do next while the stock market crashes, Americans getting sick at an exponential rate and dying. At this point, what should be the priority–trashing the Chinese, or dealing with the lack of preparedness, trying to catch up, trying to get testing, trying to get ventilators, masks, gowns, gloves and protective equipment, trying to keep supermarkets stocked with food and other essentials? You speak of the Chinese being dishonest, but what about Trump’s lies and downplaying the risk: 15 cases now, all getting better, soon there’ll be 0 cases, tests for anyone who wants one, we’ll have a vaccine “very soon”, this will all go away “magically”, it will be over by April…the list goes on.

      Hillary’s election didn’t fail–the American people were cheated out of their choice for POTUS, and we’re all paying the price now.

  4. It’s the Xi Virus because it originated in China for the exact same reason that the earlier SARS virus did – humans eating bats and other nasty things that were never intended for human consumption. President Xi is aware of the earlier SARS virus that spread around the world, killing thousands, that originated from Chinese “wet markets” in all major Chinese cities where they butcher live Kola bears, kittens, dogs, rats, snakes, bats, and all kinds of creatures in a horrific, unsanitary slaughter designed to appease their “cultural” quest for increasingly exotic “food.” Wuhan is a very modern city, an automobile and auto parts manufacturing hub. They don’t have to eat bats, but they choose to, despite the dangers and despite the previous SARS virus. There is no question that in authoritarian China, that the President Xi and the Chinese army could shut down the “wet markets” as a clear danger to public health. But they choose not to, because their disgusting eating habits are more important to them than the lives of people around the world. So fk them. Who cares what they think? It’s the Xi Virus, because he could have prevented it.

    1. Bats are delicious
      presumably.

      But I read somewhere it might have been a pangolin’s sneeze.
      Talk about the chaos concept.

    2. some Chinese do eat animals not fit for consumption. but it’s not clear it came from eating bats. maybe pangolins? the origins are mysterious

      I disapprove of Xi but I doubt he could have prevented it.

      I also doubt it’s a bioweapon from either side. The disaster to strike both sides is proof enough that only a fool would try and weaponize viruses like this. Blowback has been a known problem with bioweapons for decades. Going back, ironically, to when the Japanese Army was testing theirs on Chinese civilians in WW II.

      I entertained the hypothesis seriously but now i reject it.

      it’s more possible it was somehow related to research in the r4 lab in wuhan, but we just dont know.

      I think that Dr Steve Hatfill believes it’s emergent from nature and he’s a credible expert in every way.

  5. 3 Tweets In Close Succession Referring To “China Virus”

    Perhaps ‘racist’ is not the precise term here. But Trump’s repeated use of “China Virus”, as opposed to Coronavirus, is obviously hostile. And this illustrates Trump’s entire problem as president: ‘He can never stop being hostile’.

    Donald J. Trump
    @realDonaldTrump
    ·
    8h
    I always treated the Chinese Virus very seriously, and have done a very good job from the beginning, including my very early decision to close the “borders” from China – against the wishes of almost all. Many lives were saved. The Fake News new narrative is disgraceful & false!
    Donald J. Trump
    @realDonaldTrump
    ·
    9h
    I will be having a news conference today to discuss very important news from the FDA concerning the Chinese Virus!
    Donald J. Trump
    @realDonaldTrump
    ·
    9h
    I will totally protect your Medicare & Social Security!
    Donald J. Trump
    @realDonaldTrump
    ·
    9h
    For the people that are now out of work because of the important and necessary containment policies, for instance the shutting down of hotels, bars and restaurants, money will soon be coming to you. The onslaught of the Chinese Virus is not your fault! Will be stronger than ever!

    Edited from: “The Real Donald Trump”, Twitter

      1. BTB: Trumpy Bear said it was all a hoax, perpetrated by the Democrats. Just remember that when you run out of toilet paper and can’t find any at the store.

    2. REGARDING ABOVE:

      “China Virus” is like those tag names that Trump assigns to people as an insult. Like “Crooked Hillary”, “Sleepy Joe”, “Nervous Nancy” and “Cryin Chuck”.

      With “China Virus” Trump is inviting rightwing media to use this term instead of “Coronavirus”.

  6. Trump is the only president to even remotely hold the Chinese accountable. Did Obama ever call Islamic terror by name? Ft Hood shooting was “work place violence”.
    If China is left unchecked, what do we do with them controlling 90% of our pharmaceuticals? Hong Kong or the invasion of Taiwan?
    China has shown remarkable headway in controlling Covid 19. Kind of makes one wonder if they do not already have the vaccine?

    1. If you hold nations accountable for not controlling viruses, when do we answer?

      You don’t. You do your best – and Americans usually try to lead – in the world wide human effort to control and end it. We can’t win choosing up sides.

  7. PCS, You should be ashamed of yourself, you hate Winnie the Pooh!

  9. Of course Trump is blowing racist dog whistles. Hillary’s right on all 3 of her points.

    JT ignores it when the President tries to lay off blame on foreigners, the Chinese, and Obama but thinks tweets by an ex-AUSAs and comments by a no longer in office SOS are outrages tells you how screwed up his compass is.

    So, what did Hunter Biden do today?

    1. PS The irrefutable and most damaging aspect of this SNAFU – to the nation and to his own legacy – is the constant lying and self serving statements at odds with reality which Trump has given, and often with potted plant experts crowded behind him on the podium like stupid spring break partiers, lips closed while the BS flew. That’s what Trump always does, but what’s their excuse?

    2. If you can hear the dog whistle, it’s because you’re the dog.

      1. If you can see the dog whistle, and the response of the dogs, it’s because you’re a normal human being.

  10. This is silly. Thirteen year olds can hurtle better insults than that.

  11. This is Turley at his absolute worst. There can’t be another human on the planet more desperate to appear fair and impartial at all times, even if it means ignoring what is obvious to any sensible person.

    THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO REFER TO THE CORONAVIRUS – OR COVID-19 – AS THE “CHINESE VIRUS.” Nothing is gained in clarity or precision, and the danger of doing so is OBVIOUS.

    This is disgusting. It’s articles like this that explain the following that Turley has acquired. First time visitors might be perplexed, but after one has read for a while, it becomes clear.

    Disgusting.

  12. When you begin a conversation by claiming the other person’s a racist, you’ve effectively ended the conversation, so you may as well shut up. See, one way to identify a rational human being, is he or she can keep a conversation going – and strives to.

    If you view stating the country of origin of a deadly virus as racism:
    A) Evidently you’ve been indoctrinated to see racism everywhere.
    B) If you’ve allowed yourself to be indoctrinated, you obviously can’t think for yourself.
    C) If you can’t think for yourself, you’re incapable of original or creative thought.
    D) If you can’t produce original thought, what’s the point of sharing what we’ve already heard from the rest of your herd?
    E) If there’s no reason for anyone to listen, why bother to speak?

    To those still in the conversation: Considering the full context of how China is actively trying to shift the blame I think the President’s right to put the point of origin where it belongs.

  13. Turley does not have any shame. His naked Trumpism is only covered by the cloak of mild both-side-ism. ANd when it comes to Clinton, he just loses all of it. Defending the deranged moron who declared “I don’t take responsibility at all” and who hollowed out government apparatus to deal with a crisis like this – with link from right wing Pravda says more about Turley’s own derangement than anything else.

    Will playing back everything Trump has been saying through this crisis help put things in perspective. For vast Americans it will, but not for morons.

  14. It’s amazing. Trump is flip flopping everyday or is it every hour about knowing about the virus, knowing it was a pandemic before everyone else and the virus just “snuck” up on us and you decide to talk about Hillary. He has been trying to paint the virus as foreign from his first comment on it. When I heard him say foreign virus the first thing that came to mind was I didn’t know viruses has nationalities!

    Give it a rest.

    1. Justice:

      Are you being deliberately obtuse or are you suffering from TDS?

      Nobody except you suggested that viruses have a nationality. They do however have a place of origin.

      You never fail to amaze (not in a good way).

      1. Trump has called the virus the “Chinese Virus” Twice, you do know they have information on the computer outside of reruns of Alex Jones,

      2. But what is the point of repeating over and over “foreign” and “Chinese”?

        I’ll tell you: It is the attempt to deflect justifiable criticism of Trump that his administration was slow in understanding the threat, slow in combating the threat, and – never -acknowledging its failures.

    2. Come-on Turley do it, write about Hunter, now while you got your cult worked up. You know, something like Hillary and George Soro’s meet with Hunter Biden……I have faith in you Turley.

      1. That’s why I come here Fish. Can’t get past the National Enquirer pay wall.

  15. After watching a medley of over 50 times CNN and MSNBC called it Wuhan or China Virus the left as usual has a double standard when it comes to Trump. So letting Trump speak for himself, “I have a great love for all the people from our country, but as you know, China tried to say at one point that — maybe they’ve stopped now — that it was caused by American soldiers,” Trump said Wednesday. “That can’t happen. It’s not going to happen. Not as long as I’m president. It comes from China.”

    1. The Left is an army of angry puppets on strings
      being manipulated by the hands of older angry puppets on strings
      being manipulated by the hands of even older angry puppets on strings
      being manipulated by hands that have long since passed away…

      which is why they all just thrash about.

  16. Chinese flu or wuhan flu or Xi flu or Winnie the Pooh flu, none is racist.

  17. What took you so long Turley? I had a bet that you would throw up Hillary, and I won. Of course anybody would know what Turley’s MO is. The poor fool thought that Turley would refrain from Hillary, I knew better.

  18. Hey Jonathan your recent article in The Hill contains your own dog whistle Inthst article you are critical of Mr Bidens pledge to appoint an African American woman to the U S Supreme Court We know what that is aboutYou have written that Justice Thomas is a principled conservative because he supports the white power structure You have been critical of Justice Sotomayor our first Latina justice For what reason.There are many qualified African American women that would be excellent Surpreme Court justicesAnd they could help restore the integrity of an integrity of an institution that has no legitimacy left

  20. Alway the lickspittle… No other news? Just a bang for Trump? No, Jonny, you are not going to be picked for the SCOTUS no matter how much grovelling you do for Trump.

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