Trump expects the US economy to recover "spectacularly"

More than 26 million unemployed, a feared decline in growth that has not been seen since the Great Depression - US President Trump breaks down his most important campaign argument. Trump is now spreading optimism: the economy will come back "phenomenally".

Washington (dpa) - Despite the devastating damage caused by the corona crisis, US President Donald Trump expects the US economy to recover rapidly this year.

The third, but especially the fourth, quarter would be "spectacular" in terms of gross domestic product, Trump announced at a press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House. The coming year will also be "phenomenal". Trump once again pushed for the US economy to reopen soon - which must be "quick but secure".

HISTORIC BURGLAR WARNING

Trump's economic advisor Kevin Hassett said on Monday on CNBC that in the second quarter, Americans would have to be prepared for the US economy to shrink by 20 to 30 percent - the largest since the global economic crisis that began in the late 1920s would have. In the first week of May, the unemployment rate could rise to 16 to 17 percent. In February it was still at 3.5 percent, the lowest level in decades. As a result of the corona pandemic, more than 26 million people have lost their jobs in the United States.

TRUMP: HAVE BUILT THE LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD

Trump said of the Americans, "With the help of 325 million people, I've built the largest economy in the history of the world." Alluding to China, where the first coronavirus infection was found, he added: "Nobody except one country can be held accountable for what happened." Trump has made China responsible for the global spread of the corona virus and has already threatened the consequences. On Monday, Trump said there were many ways that China could be held accountable.

TRUMP PROMISES MORE TESTS

Trump announced that testing capacity in the U.S. would dramatically expand in the coming days. "We want to open up our country," he said. "Tests won't be a problem at all." Trump's government has been criticized for weeks for lack of testing. Expanding capacities is a prerequisite for Trump's gradual reopening of the economy.

Vice President Mike Pence said 5.4 million coronavirus tests have been performed. One is almost at the desired capacity. The government believes there are enough tests to help states enter the first phase of easing protection measures.

FEDERAL STATES RELAX MEASURES

Trump introduced guidelines in mid-April to help the states return to normal in three phases in the corona crisis. Before entering each of the phases, they should meet a number of requirements. Among other things, the states are expected to record a decline in the number of infections detected over a 14-day period. Several states have announced a relaxation of protective measures, including the important state of Texas on Monday.

ALMOST A MILLION INFECTION IN THE USA

Trump said Monday night: "All parts of the country are either in good shape or getting better." His government's strategy to limit the spread of the virus saved "countless lives." As of Monday evening (local time), the United States had recorded more than 987,000 of the more than three million confirmed cases of infection with the virus worldwide. Corona virus killed more than 56,000 people in the United States. Trump again accused countries like China of not reporting victim numbers transparently.

TRUMP DOESN'T WANT TO SHAKE ON THE ELECTION DATE

Republican Trump dismissed speculation from rival Joe Biden about a possible postponement of the November 3 presidential election due to the Corona crisis. "I never even thought about postponing the election date," said Trump. Trump's most important argument for re-election was the booming US economy until the Corona crisis. Former Vice President Biden said last Thursday that he believed Trump wanted to postpone the election because it was the only way he could win. Biden is the only remaining US Democratic presidential candidate after the withdrawal of left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders.

THIS AROUND THE PRESS CONFERENCE

Trump's press conference on Monday evening was first announced by the White House, then canceled and finally announced again. Trump had questioned his regular press conferences over the weekend's corona crisis. What was the use of holding press conferences when the media "asked nothing but hostile questions and then refused to report the truth or the facts," he wrote on Twitter on Saturday. "They have record ratings and the American people get nothing but fake news." That is not worth the effort. There were no press conferences on Saturday and Sunday.

Trump has held press conferences almost daily since mid-March, some of which lasted longer than two hours. Journalists were able to ask him detailed questions. Because of verbal attacks on some media representatives, controversial, sometimes false statements and much self-praise, Trump increasingly criticized his appearances. At Thursday's press conference, Trump encouraged researchers to explore ways to inject people into the fight against the disinfectant virus. With this, he triggered broad outrage. On Friday, he tried to capture what he said, saying it was just "sarcasm."