Trump Reportedly Sandbagged Gov. Kemp on Georgia Reopen Plan, Backed it Privately Before Denouncing Publicly
President Donald Trump privately backed Gov. Brian Kemp’s (R-GA) plan to reopen Georgia, just a day before disapproving of it publicly, according to the Associated Press.
When Trump was asked about the plan on Tuesday, Trump supported Kemp, calling him “a very capable man” who “knows what he’s doing.”
On Wednesday, Trump walked back on his comments and told reporters that he disagreed “strongly with his decision to open certain facilities.” He then said on Thursday that he “wasn’t at all happy” with Kemp’s decision to reopen.
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence had, however, agreed with Kemp’s decision in a private conversation just a day before the governor announced his plan on Monday. Trump’s change in tone came once health experts and advisers warned the president that it was too early to ease stay-at-home orders.
Trump not only urged Kemp to reopen in a private meeting but also took to Twitter last Friday to call for American citizens to “LIBERATE” states run by Democratic governors, encouraging them to protest coronavirus restrictions.
The administration had also praised Kemp and his decision to reopen for several days, but Trump called Kemp later to ask the governor to slow down the reopening, according to two administration officials who asked AP for anonymity.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany took to Twitter on Thursday to denied Trump’s change of view and claimed, “His mind was made up.”
This is false, Jim.
No one “changed” President Trump’s view. I was with him all throughout the day. His mind was made up. His priority has always been to reopen the country SAFELY.
Next time consider checking with the White House Press Office before “reporting” inaccurate info. https://t.co/RznAaLqb3q
— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) April 23, 2020
