I think this is just as bad as the February 7th tape. Woodward talked to Trump on August 14th, one month ago, and CNN has the tape:
CNN has obtained excerpts of the 10-minute conversation, which show Trump was more focused on the economy than the public health crisis.
As the two debated Trump’s response to the pandemic, Trump finally asked: “So you think the virus totally supersedes the economy?”
“Oh sure. But they’re related, as you know,” Woodward responded.
“A little bit, yeah,” Trump replied.
” Oh, a little bit?” Woodward asked.
“I mean, more than a little bit. But the economy is doing — look, we’re close to a new stock market record,” Trump said.
Trump’s question to Woodward underscores the President’s attitude toward the virus. After six months of experts trying to convince Trump that the two are linked — that an economic recovery depends on first stopping the virus — Trump is still focused on the stock market and the economy because he believes those are key to his reelection.
In another part of the conversation, Woodward told Trump there are parts of the book the President won’t like.
“It’s a tough book,” he said, adding that it’s “close to the bone.”
“You know the market’s coming back very strong, you do know that,” Trump responded to Woodward.
“Yes, of course,” Woodward said.
“Did you cover that in the book?” Trump asked.
Woodward and Trump continued to debate Trump’s response to the pandemic and how it will be critical to the presidential election.
When Woodward told Trump that the election will be a contest between him, former Vice President Joe Biden “and the virus,” Trump insisted, “Nothing more could have been done.”He added: “I acted early.”
If you click over you can hear excerpts of the tape. Listen to the sound of his voice. It’s clear what he cares about and he’s angry that Woodward believes the virus is more important than the fucking stock market.
It’s not that he doesn’t know the virus is deadly. Just last night he said this to a reporter in Las Vegas:
The evening reflected a split seen across the country between Americans who want fewer restrictions imposed by state and local governments and those who believe that Trump should not encourage his supporters to risk their health in order to express their political opinions.
No fear of virus
Trump said in his interview with the Review-Journal that he is not afraid of getting the coronavirus from speaking at the indoor rally.
“I’m on a stage and it’s very far away,” Trump said. “And so I’m not at all concerned.”
“I’m more concerned about how close you are, to be honest,” Trump told a Review-Journal reporter who thought she was socially distanced.
Later, when she told Trump she had tested negative earlier in the day, Trump mugged that he felt “100 percent better.”
He knows it’s deadly and worries about himself. He cares nothing for his supporters who are crowded together, screaming and shouting in the crowd in front of him.
All he cares about is money and himself. Nothing else.
Update: