For the second time in a few days, Donald Trump has been moved: a friend of his, suffering from Covid-19, is in a coma. Should one of his relatives be in danger for the billionaire, quick to doubt the word of the experts, to finally realize the catastrophic results that lie ahead? In any case, the American president changed his tone and warned the Americans: "Our country is facing a test without equivalent in its history," he launched, calling on all Americans to "make sacrifices". “We are going through two very painful weeks. "
As he has done throughout his career, Donald Trump adapts. The election campaign is interrupted? His press conferences will be his meetings, good audiences will become his polls. His main argument for his re-election, namely the flamboyant economy, collapsed? He has a new strategy: to present himself as the man who will save lives.
His crisis team estimates that the coronavirus will kill at least 100,000 to 240,000 Americans. The figures are exorbitant, monstrous, but the president insists: if this range is respected - and even more if the final balance is lower - then he can boast of having done a "good job".
And to quote a possible hecatomb of two million dead if nothing had "been done". The real estate mogul even claims to have resisted the advice of his businessmen friends not to penalize the economy. “Many have said (…) do nothing, let it flow and pretend it is a flu. But it's not a flu, it's vicious, "conceded Trump, who however said the opposite a few weeks ago and believed that the crisis was" under control ".
His presidential rival widens the gap in the polls
The same head of state wanted last week to "reopen the economy" of the country by Easter. This inconsistency suggests that his last reversal may not be final.
For now, the popularity rating of Donald Trump benefits from a rallying effect, but less than that of other heads of state who all face at home this globalized crisis. The president is certainly used to rubbing shoulders with all short and medium term challenges: the saga of impeachment seems far away. But this crisis will clash over time. In addition, it is impossible for him to divert the conversation in the media: the coronavirus is everywhere.
His Democratic rival Joe Biden is penalized by a campaign that has become virtual but widens the gap in the polls. "It's a war, you need a general," he said to his camera at his home in Delaware. Even ex-President Barack Obama has left his reserve. "Each of us, especially young people, must ask the government to do better at all levels and must vote this fall," he tweeted. However, faced with the ongoing human and economic disaster, the Americans have more urgent concerns than the November election.
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