On Wednesday, MSNBC host Joy Reid made a provocative comparison between President Joe Biden recovering from COVID-19 and former President Donald Trump’s survival of an assassination attempt. Reid suggested that Biden’s recovery could be seen as a “sign of strength” similar to how Trump’s survival and quick return to the campaign trail were portrayed.
During MSNBC’s live coverage of the Republican National Convention, Reid noted that both men are getting up there in age. “These two men are both elderly. Donald Trump is an elderly man who, for whatever reason, was given nine seconds to take an iconic photo-op during an active shooter situation. Weird situation, we’ll figure that out one day,” she remarked.
Reid pointed out that the media has framed Trump’s survival and rapid reappearance at his party’s convention as a demonstration of his strength. She argued that Biden overcoming COVID-19, given his age, should be viewed in the same light. “This current President of the United States is 81 years old and has COVID, should he be fine in a couple of days, doesn’t that convey exactly the same thing? That he’s strong enough – older than Trump – to have gotten something that used to really be fatal to people his age. So, if he does fine out of it and comes back and is able to do rallies, isn’t that exactly the same?” Reid stated.
The White House announced Biden’s COVID-19 diagnosis and his decision to self-isolate in Delaware. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that the president, who is vaccinated and boosted, was experiencing mild symptoms.
Reid saw Biden’s illness as an opportunity for responsible leadership. “And it’s also, a quite interesting opportunity for President Biden to also show being responsible. I assume he’s going to put a mask on when he gets inside Air Force One and not spread COVID around. But also to remind people of what hell we went through with COVID because of Donald Trump,” Reid said. She suggested that Biden could use this moment to highlight the tragic impact of COVID-19 and the importance of responsible behavior, potentially as a political message. “Here is a great messaging opportunity for President Biden to bring out the tape and remind people of how many people died; a million people are no longer with us. Peoples’ grandmas were dying alone with their iPad. A great opportunity and messaging opportunity should the White House choose to take it.”
Folks, just watch the look on her co-hosts face, former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki as Reid rambled.
Jen Psaki’s face when Joy Reid says that Biden recovering from covid is the same as Trump getting shot.
Reid is seriously the dumbest person in media and she has no equal. pic.twitter.com/xNdlLCqQHD
— Unfiltered☢Boss (@Unfilteredboss1) July 18, 2024
Here’s the full video:
MSNBC says if Joe Biden recovers from covid it should be seen as a sign of strength, similar to Donald Trump surviving an assassination attempt. They really said this. Live. On air. pic.twitter.com/N5ZpijlRo3
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 17, 2024
