Trump says Covid - which has killed 140,000 Americans - is a 'downer' while bragging about being in 'so many rap songs'

'George Washington would’ve had a hard time beating us,' Mr Trump says about his campaign prior to the pandemic

Danielle Zoellner
Friday 24 July 2020 21:48 BST
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Donald Trump has called the coronavirus a “downer” and “dampener” on his poll numbers, less than one week after the United States hit the grim milestone of 140,000 deaths.

“We were doing a great job. We were sailing. George Washington would’ve had a hard time beating us,” Mr Trump said when speaking to Barstool Sports‘ Dave Portnoy on Friday at the White House.

He added: “And then when the China virus came in. It’s a dampener, it’s a downer.”

This week the country reached 4 million confirmed cases and more than 140,000 people have died from the novel virus.

The president has seen a hit to his poll numbers in recent months, with some having him trailing challenger Joe Biden by double digits. Swing states like Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Florida show Mr Biden up compared to that of the sitting president. Texas, which is often an easy win for Republicans, has turned into a swing state in the upcoming election.

To combat the declining poll numbers, Mr Trump fired his campaign manger Brad Parscale and replaced him with veteran GOP operative Bill Stepien.

"Now we’re really started to do well. We’re looking good in a lot of places,” the president claimed about his current standing in the presidential race.

Mr Portnoy pointed out how the president was "living the dream life" prior to running for election. But then Mr Trump's dive into politics created a stark division of those who liked him and those who wanted him out of office.

"I was in so many rap songs," Mr Trump said prior to the presidency. "This was before I did this."

The president estimated references to his name were in "like 79" songs. Rapper Mac Miller notably created a song in 2011 entitled Donald Trump, and it helped put the musician on the map by breaking the Billboard Hot 100 chart and going platinum. The rapper later denounced the president in 2015 when he was running for election.

This was one example among others where Mr Trump's name was used to symbolise wealth and success in the US.

"The best day in my life, in terms of business and life and everything, is the day before I announced I was running for president," Mr Trump added. "I'm really glad I did, but I was treated very unfairly."

Mr Trump's life has changed significantly since becoming president. New York City was previously where he considered home, but he has since left the liberal city and established residency in Florida. The president was also told to step away from his company while an elected official to prevent any collusion, but this hasn't stopped him from promoting his resorts like Mar-a-Lago.

He added: "I was devastated when I won because I couldn't have my life. I had a great life, I did."

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