Donald Trump trashes COVID-19 doctors, compares himself to Jesus

Back in the ‘90s it was fairly common to see bumper stickers, window decals, t-shirts, bracelets, even billboards featuring the letters: WWJD.

What Would Jesus Do?

I thought of that after President Donald Trump, who believes he is second in popularity only to Jesus (yeah, he said that), maligned the health care workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I’m pretty sure the Good Lord would NOT do that.

National Nurses United released a report not long ago saying that more than 1,700 medical professionals have died of COVID-19 as a result of treating patients with the virus.

Doctors, nurses and their support staff have been on the front lines since the beginning of the pandemic, working tirelessly and enduring the emotional and, sometimes, physical consequences of trying to save lives. Many have lost their own lives in the process.

And the president defamed them.

At a recent campaign event Trump spouted a ridiculous, debunked conspiracy theory, saying that doctors exaggerate reports of COVID-19 cases and deaths because “doctors get more money and hospitals get more money.”

About those suprespreader rallies

Susan Bailey, president of the American Medical Association, called it a “malicious, outrageous, and completely misguided charge,” adding, “Rather than attacking us and lobbing baseless charges at physicians, our leaders should be following the science and urging adherence to the public health steps we know work — wearing a mask, washing hands, and practicing physical distancing.”

Plenty of physicians reacted, too. Like one doctor, who featured a long string on Twitter showing fellow physicians who had died of COVID-19 while trying to help others.

All this happened as the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., falsely claimed on Fox News that COVID-19 deaths were down to “almost nothing,” while on the same day more than 1,000 people died of COVID-19 – one thousand — and new cases hit a record high of nearly 100,000.

Add to that a study from Stanford University saying that 18 of Trump’s campaign rallies have led to over 30,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and likely led to over 700 deaths. 

Meantime, there was the president on the campaign trail, playing down the pandemic and matching his popularity to that of … yes … Jesus Christ.

Trump said, “A friend of mine said, you know, you’re the most famous man in the world. I said, no, I’m not. No, I’m not. No. He said, no, who’s more famous than you? You are the most famous man in the world. What are you talking about? Who’s more famous? I said, Jesus Christ.”

His supporters loved it.

At this stage in Trump’s narcissistic presidency I’m not convinced he actually believes that he’s in second place. I’d guess that claiming he’s not as popular as Jesus is the closest Trump will ever come to humility.

Imagine, a president trashing front-line health care professionals who daily put themselves on the line, then comparing his popularity to that of the central figure of Christianity.

WWJD?

Not that.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

*** This article has been archived for your research. The original version from The Arizona Republic can be found here ***