Trump privately approved of plan to reopen Georgia before publicly bashing governor, report says

Health experts convinced the president to withdraw support

President Donald Trump repeatedly told Georgia's governor he approved of the state's reopening a day before publicly bashing the plan, it was reported on Friday.

The Associated Press anonymously quoted two administration officials saying that, behind the scenes, both Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence had been supportive of Governor Brian Kemp's decision to reopen Georgia.

Mr Trump publicly criticised the plan, however, saying on Wednesday that he disagrees strongly with the governor's decision to open certain facilities, and on Thursday saying he "wasn't at all happy".

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Mr Trump tweeted a denial on Friday that he or Mr Pence ever gave the governor a green light to reopen businesses outside The White House's guidelines.

Mr Trump's reported reversal came after health experts from his coronavirus task force reviewed the Georgia plan and persuaded the president it was moving too quickly.

According to the administration officials, Mr Trump spoke to the governor more than once and praised the plan to reopen the state. But he asked Mr Kemp to slow down after Dr Deborah Birx and Dr Anthony Fauci suggested it was too soon.

"He's a very capable man. He knows what he's doing. He's done a very good job as governor," Mr Trump said on Tuesday before the apparent reversal.

While multiple anonymous sources have claimed health experts convinced Mr Trump to change his view, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany denied there had been any change in position.

"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," she posted Thursday.

Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Georgia have surpassed 21,000, and at least 870 deaths have been recorded by the state's Department of Public Health. Experts have warned the plan to reopen the state could fuel a resurgence in infections.

On Thursday night, Mr Kemp said Georgia was "taking another measured step forward by opening shuttered businesses for limited operations".