It is as if CNN’s Jim Acosta took one look at the insanely stupid trend of journalists claiming it is racist to point out that the COVID-19 virus originated in China and thought to himself, “I can outdo all of them.”
CNN’s top White House correspondent says he detected a hint of xenophobia, and maybe even racism, Wednesday evening in President Trump’s Oval Office address on the coronavirus outbreak.
“At one point during the address,” Acosta said, “the president referred to the coronavirus as a ‘foreign virus.’ … Now why the president would go as far as to describe it as a ‘foreign virus,’ that is something we’ll also be asking questions about.”
He added: “But it should be pointed out that Stephen Miller, who is an immigration hardliner, who advises the president, is one of his top domestic policy advisers and speechwriters, was a driving force in writing this speech. And I think it is going to smack, it’s going to come across to a lot of Americans as smacking of xenophobia to use that kind of term in this speech.”
You can read Trump’s remarks for yourself and judge whether they contain any insidious, xenophobic undertones.
“This is the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history,” the president said, according to a White House transcript made available to media. “I am confident that by counting and continuing to take these tough measures, we will significantly reduce the threat to our citizens, and we will ultimately and expeditiously defeat this virus.”
He added: “From the beginning of time, nations and people have faced unforeseen challenges, including large-scale and very dangerous health threats. This is the way it always was and always will be. It only matters how you respond, and we are responding with great speed and professionalism.”
Trump also announced restrictions on travel to Europe along with plans to extend credit to small businesses affected by the virus.
But all that seems almost beside the point insofar as Acosta’s remarks are concerned. COVID-19 originated in China, in Wuhan specifically. It has spread across the globe in large part due to the Chinese Communist Party’s ridiculous, self-serving reluctance to admit error, as well as its seemingly bottomless capacity for arrogance, incompetence, and opacity.
So why are members of the Western press now singing the Chinese Communists’ tune, complaining now that it is racist and bigoted to mention that COVID-19 comes from China?
A grateful nation thanks you for your tireless efforts to police possibly problematic language, Jim. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to go prepare for a pandemic.
