Sen. Marco Rubio tore into the media, accusing them of being happy that the United States has the most confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
“Some in our media can’t contain their glee & delight in reporting that the U.S. has more #CoronaVirus cases than #China,” the Florida Republican tweeted Sunday. “Beyond being grotesque,its bad journalism.”
He added, “We have NO IDEA how many cases China really has but without any doubt its significantly more than why they admit to.”
Some in our media can’t contain their glee & delight in reporting that the U.S. has more #CoronaVirus cases than #China
Beyond being grotesque,its bad journalism
We have NO IDEA how many cases China really has but without any doubt its significantly more than why they admit to
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 29, 2020
Rubio’s remarks, however, were met with backlash from some members of the press online.
“Senator, either you have no clue what you’re talking about or you’re being a jerk,” Daily Beast reporter Sam Stein said. “I have friends in this industry who have the virus. We have to make exceptionally challenging calls about sending reporters into hot spots or places where they could get it. Do better.”
Senator, either you have no clue what you’re talking about or you’re being a jerk. I have friends in this industry who have the virus. We have to make exceptionally challenging calls about sending reporters into hot spots or places where they could get it. Do better.
— Sam Stein (@samstein) March 29, 2020
“We have colleagues who have died,” MSNBC host Katy Tur said.
We have colleagues who have died. https://t.co/h36kWayxpQ
— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) March 29, 2020
Others responded with similar criticism.
Glee and delight? Every journalist I know is terrified about being laid off right now. People are dying. You had the chance to remove Trump from office in January and looked the other way even though you know he’s corrupt and incompetent. Now look where we are.
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) March 29, 2020
Journalists are concentrated in cities that are being ravaged by a plague that could have been better contained with a competent president. They’re lonely and scared and reporting while homeschooling their kids. No one feels glee or delight. Some of us feel white hot rage.
— Michelle Goldberg (@michelleinbklyn) March 29, 2020
Marco isn’t allowed to criticize the president so he’s decided to criticize the media.
— Molly Jong-Fast? (@MollyJongFast) March 29, 2020
Last week, the U.S. officially surpassed China for the most official confirmed coronavirus cases. China announced earlier this month that it would be expelling all American journalists. The country has claimed it has gotten COVID-19 virus under control despite local whistleblowers claiming the disease is still ravaging the country.
