A timeline of what Trump has said on coronavirus
Jan. 20:
First confirmed U.S. case of coronavirus announced in Washington state.
Jan. 22: 1 case confirmed in U.S.
"We do have a plan"
"We do have a plan and we think it's gonna be handled very well, we've already handled it very well. — President Trump to CBS News White House correspondent Paula Reid in Davos, Switzerland.
Jan. 22: 1 case confirmed in U.S.
"We have it under control"
"We have it totally under control. It's one person coming in from China. We have it under control. It's going to be just fine." CNBC interview in Davos, Switzerland
Jan. 24: 2 cases confirmed in U.S.
Appreciates China's "efforts and transparency"
President Trump issues his first tweet on coronavirus. "China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!"
Jan. 29: 5 cases confirmed in U.S.
U.S. experts "are on top of situation 24/7"
"Just received a briefing on the Coronavirus in China from all of our GREAT agencies, who are also working closely with China. We will continue to monitor the ongoing developments. We have the best experts anywhere in the world, and they are on top of it 24/7!" the president tweeted.
Jan. 30: 7 cases confirmed in U.S.
U.S. has a "very little problem" with five cases
On this day, the World Health Organization declares coronavirus a public-health emergency. "We think we have it very well under control. We have very little problem in this country at this moment — five — and those people are all recuperating successfully. But we're working very closely with China and other countries, and we think it's going to have a very good ending for us … that I can assure you," Mr. Trump said at a speech at a Michigan manufacturing plant.
Jan. 31: 8 cases confirmed in U.S.
President Trump bars many travelers from China, and U.S. declares a public health emergency.
Feb. 5: 11 cases confirmed in U.S.
President Trump is acquitted after impeachment trial in the Senate.
Feb. 7: 11 confirmed cases in U.S.
With warmer weather "virus hopefully becomes weaker with warmer weather, and then gone"
"Just had a long and very good conversation by phone with President Xi of China. He is strong, sharp and powerfully focused on leading the counterattack on the Coronavirus. He feels they are doing very well, even building hospitals in a matter of only days. Nothing is easy, but......he will be successful, especially as the weather starts to warm & the virus hopefully becomes weaker, and then gone. Great discipline is taking place in China, as President Xi strongly leads what will be a very successful operation. We are working closely with China to help!" the president tweeted.
Feb. 10: 12 confirmed cases in U.S.
Xi "feels...the heat, generally speaking, kills this kind of virus"
"I had a long talk with President Xi — for the people in this room — two nights ago, and he feels very confident. He feels very confident. And he feels that, again, as I mentioned, by April or during the month of April, the heat, generally speaking, kills this kind of virus," the president said during a White House meeting with governors.
Feb. 23: 51 confirmed cases in U.S.
Situation is "very much under control"
"We're very much involved. We're very — very cognizant of everything going on. We have it very much under control in this country," the president told reporters, in response to a question about whether he had been updated on the coronavirus.
Feb. 24: 51 confirmed cases in U.S.
"The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA"
"The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA. We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries. CDC & World Health have been working hard and very smart. Stock Market starting to look very good to me!" the president tweeted.
Feb. 25: 57 confirmed cases in U.S.
Coronavirus is "very well under control in our country"
"You may ask about the coronavirus, which is very well under control in our country. We have very few people with it, and the people that have it are - in all cases, I have not heard anything other," the president said during a press conference on his trip to India.
Feb. 26: 58 confirmed cases in U.S.
The 15 cases in U.S. "within a couple days is going to be down close to zero"
"I want you to understand something that shocked me when I saw it that — and I spoke with Dr. Fauci on this, and I was really amazed, and I think most people are amazed to hear it: The flu, in our country, kills from 25,000 people to 69,000 people a year. That was shocking to me. And, so far, if you look at what we have with the 15 people and their recovery, one is — one is pretty sick but hopefully will recover, but the others are in great shape. But think of that: 25,000 to 69,000. ... "And again, when you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that's a pretty good job we've done," the president said during a Coronavirus Task Force Press briefing at the White House.
Feb. 27: 60 confirmed cases in U.S.
Virus will "disappear" one day "like a miracle"
"It's going to disappear. One day it's like a miracle, it will disappear," the president said during a White House meeting with African-American leaders.
Feb. 29: 74 confirmed cases in U.S.
"Everything is really under control"
"And we've done a great job. And I've gotten to know these professionals. They're incredible. And everything is under control. I mean, they're very, very cool. They've done it, and they've done it well. Everything is really under control." — Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland. One attendee from that event later tested positive, and lawmakers who attended went under self-quarantine.
Feb. 29: 74 confirmed cases in U.S.
First coronavirus death in the U.S. on this day
"We've taken the most aggressive actions to confront the coronavirus. They are the most aggressive taken by any country and we're the number one travel destination anywhere in the world, yet we have far fewer cases of the disease then even countries with much less travel or a much smaller population." —White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing