Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) on Sunday reacted to President Donald Trump in a recent press conference accusing New York hospitals of hoarding medical equipment like ventilators amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During MSNBC’s “Kasie DC,” Gillibrand slammed Trump for his claim, calling it “beyond absurd.” She also questioned the president’s leadership amid the outbreak.
“I think his allegations about New York hospitals were beyond absurd,” Gillibrand told host Kasie Hunt. “I talk to most of our hospital heads throughout New York City and State, and I can tell you their hospital personnel are the heroes of this moment. They are working 24/7 to save lives. They’re begging for ventilators, masks, gowns, supplies.”
She later added, “This is not a time for politics. This is a time for leadership, and strong leadership. President Trump has not shown that. He has continually misstated facts, tried to politicize the environment we’re in, trying to pit one part of the country against another part of the country. I’ve never imagined a president would do such a corrosive and dangerous thing, but the rest of us are trying to do our jobs every day, advocating for the resources that our first responders, our hospital personnel, our grocery store clerks, our men and women working at pharmacies, that they can get protective gear as well. They are the front lines.”
Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent