President Trump said he has backed away from calling the coronavirus as the “Chinese virus” because he doesn’t want to make “a big deal out of it” anymore.
Trump said he started using that language, which some have called racist, because the Chinese government was trying to pin the blame on U.S. soldiers.
“They said our soldiers started it. Our soldiers had nothing to do with it,” he told Fox News on Tuesday.
Despite the criticism he’s received, Trump said he does not regret using the phrase.
“It came from China. … I don’t regret it,” he said. “Everyone knows it came out of China, but I decided we shouldn’t make any more of a big deal out of it. I think I made a big deal. I think people understand it.”
On Monday, Trump condemned the harassment of Asian Americans, who have reported being blamed for the spread of the coronavirus.
“It is very important that we totally protect our Asian American community in the United States, and all around the world,” he tweeted. “They are amazing people, and the spreading of the Virus is NOT their fault in any way, shape, or form. They are working closely with us to get rid of it. WE WILL PREVAIL TOGETHER!”
