Mark Meadows has a bizarre response when Trump calls the story about his early COVID diagnosis 'fake news'
Less than 24 hours after former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows appeared to agree to cooperate with the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, news broke that The Guardian had obtained a copy of his new book, and from it the revelation that three days before appearing on stage with Joe Biden at the Sept. 26 presidential debate the then-president, Donald Trump, had tested positive for coronavirus.
Never mind that a second test showed a negative result – one Harvard epidemiologist says that merely meant Trump was not yet infectious but he was, by the debate, “blazing positive” but decided to go on a potentially infect countless others. That act, the noted disease specialist and professors says, “was a massive, dangerous and likely intentional decision.”
Trump, as usual, especially in recent days, issued a quick statement via his spokesperson, this time denying the revelation in Meadows’ book, a revelation The Washington Post Wednesday afternoon reported it had confirmed with two other former Trump aides.
What is stunning is that, as Politico National Political Correspondent Meridith McGraw notes, Meadows himself retweeted Trump’s statement of denial:
Mark Meadows retweeted Trump\u2019s denialpic.twitter.com/hUxZRL2OTP— Meridith McGraw (@Meridith McGraw) 1638392083
The Washington Post also notes that at least six people close to Trump tested positive for coronavirus shortly after the debate, including Melania Trump, Hope Hicks, Stephen Miller, and Kayleigh McEnany.
“Trump on Wednesday was furious that Meadows revealed the anecdote in his forthcoming book and that it was published via the liberal-leaning Guardian website, according to a person familiar with the former president’s reaction, who requested anonymity to reveal a private conversation,” the Post adds. “Meadows through an emissary has offered to put out a statement ‘clarifying things,’ but that offer was rejected, the person said.”
Writer and political activist Don Winslow has another take on the day’s events:
Notice how Donald Trump's three line statement today denying the Covid-test story does NOT mention Mark Meadows even though the claim ORIGINATES in Meadows upcoming book.\n\nIn EVERY other case Trump attacks the person by name + denigrates them.\n\nTrump and Meadows are in lock step.— Don Winslow (@Don Winslow) 1638395320
- Mark Meadows used his private Gmail account to pressure Georgia ... ›
- House select committee considers holding Trump Chief of Staff Mark ... ›
- 'Intentional deception': Mark Meadows releases damning details ... ›
- Former federal prosecutor insists we'll see 'a tidal wave of criminal charges against Donald Trump' - Alternet.org ›
- Watch: These video clips reveal the extent of what Trump did after he reportedly got a positive COVID test - Alternet.org ›
- Lawmaker highlights the hypocrisy in Mark Meadows' decision to withhold information about the Jan. 6 insurrection - Alternet.org ›
- Revealed: Mark Meadows possessed 'insane' blueprint for military seizing ballots after Trump's 2020 defeat - Alternet.org ›