DAVE ROSS

Trump’s comments on wildfires ‘little bit like’ comments on coronavirus

Sep 15, 2020, 4:55 PM | Updated: 4:59 pm

Bob Woodward’s new book reports that back in February, President Trump knew exactly how deadly coronavirus could be, but he downplayed the severity.

Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold told Seattle’s Morning News on KIRO Radio that he believes it is part of Woodward’s gift that he always manages to get people to talk to him, often against their own interests.

“I think it’s because he’s a good interviewer,” he said. “He doesn’t say very much. He lets the subject to believe that the interview is going really, really well and doesn’t stop them. So I think Woodward has done this to Trump twice now. And the fact that Trump hasn’t figured it out, I think tells you something about Woodward and about Trump.”

So far, there have been no holes poked in Woodward’s story because, as Fahrenthold pointed out, he has the tapes to back it up.

In terms of Trump’s response to the wildfires, Fahrenthold says it’s actually a bit similar to his comments about the coronavirus.

“What Trump said yesterday was, … ‘I think science is wrong. I think things are just going to get cooler all of a sudden.’ It was a little bit like his comments about the coronavirus: ‘Don’t worry, there’ll be a miracle and this problem will go away,'” he said.

“Obviously, the fires result from a lot of complicated decisions — how do we manage forests? How do we suppress fires? Where do we let people live? Why do we let people sort of expand suburbs into areas that are prone to burning? So it’s more than just believe in climate change and the fires will go away,” Fahrenthold said. “But it seems like climate change is at the root of these fires happening in different places, in different ways, and in different volumes than they have before. So if you don’t understand that and don’t address that, all the raking in the world is not going to make a difference.”

Ross: A climate change compromise President Trump would agree to

The other big issue in Washington, D.C., is that Congress still has not agreed on an extension of the coronavirus release package, even as people across the country are struggling economically.

“If the people in power want this to happen, it will happen,” Fahrenthold said. “And maybe they’ll come up with something that will persuade Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell to agree. We’re so close to the election, though, Congress’ attention — I’m not saying this is the right thing — but it seems like it’s mostly focused on the election, so I don’t see any prospect of something coming together very soon that will give those people the relief they need.”

Pulitzer Prize winning reporter David Fahrenthold joins KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross every Tuesday on Seattle’s Morning News. Listen to Seattle’s Morning News weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

11 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

2 months ago

Trump’s comments on wildfires ‘little bit like’ comments on coronavirus