Former President Barack Obama has labeled President Donald Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis as “an absolute chaotic disaster” during a private call with people who worked for him in the White House and across his administration.
In a 30-minute conversation with members of the Obama Alumni Association, the former president said the response to the coronavirus outbreak served as a critical reminder for why strong government leadership is needed during a global crisis. The call was intended to encourage former Obama staffers to become more engaged in Biden’s presidential campaign.
“It is part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty. It would have been bad even with the best of governments. It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government” he said.
Responding, White House Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany dismissed the criticism from Obama, saying in a statement that “President Trump’s coronavirus response has been unprecedented and saved American lives.”
After formally endorsing Biden last month, Obama said he would be deeply involved in the campaign to help Biden win the White House.
His remarks on were the latest example of that effort, telling the Obama Alumni group: “I am hoping that all of you feel the same sense of urgency that I do.”
