Barack Obama is reluctant to publicly criticize his successor in the White House. But in private, he now says little flattering about Trump’s actions in the corona crisis.
In confidential statements, ex-US President Barack Obama has sharply criticized his successor Donald Trump’s handling of the corona pandemic. Trump’s crisis management is “an absolutely chaotic disaster,” Obama said to former members of his government, according to an audio recording. According to the news portal Yahoo News, other US media reported on the private statements on Saturday.
Obama criticized that Trump’s inadequate responses to the challenges of the corona pandemic reflected a mindset of “what’s in it for me” and “To hell with everyone else”. Selfishness and hostility have become “a stronger impetus in American life”.
The United States is the most severely affected by the corona pandemic in the world. More than 1.3 million infections and more than 78,000 corona deaths have now been reported in the United States. Trump is accused of underestimating the pandemic and failing to respond to the challenges early enough. He also leaves the states alone in the fight against the virus and allows them to fight for protective equipment.
Obama also criticized the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to drop charges against Trump’s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn in connection with the Russia affair. Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 for having lied to the FBI about his contacts with former Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak. The ex-general later said he would withdraw the confession of guilt.
Because of such decisions, he is concerned that “our basic understanding of the rule of law is at risk,” Obama told his former associates. He therefore called on him to support the designated democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in the race against Trump. The US presidential election will take place in early November. “I hope you all feel the same urgency as I do,” said Obama.
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