Trump news – live: Drug taken by president linked to increased risk of death, as poll shows 60 per cent of Americans disapprove of coronavirus response

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Trump says he did not want press to see him wearing mask

Donald Trump today declared churches, synagogues and mosques as essential and ordered governors to reopen them immediately, comparing them to liquor stores and abortion clinics that have been considered essential businesses during the coronavirus lockdowns.

The president said if governors don't do it, here would override them so houses of worship could operate over the Memorial Day weekend. Trump's coronavirus taskforce, meanwhile, said people could go outside and hike or visit the beach to enjoy the long weekend so long as social distancing remained in place.

Going into the weekend, Trump finished up his two-week course of hydroxychloroquine as new research linked the anti-malaria drug to an increased risk of death.

And while his feud with Fox News continued after the network revealed polling that showed Joe Biden ahead by eight points in a nationwide match-up, tensions warmed somewhat as both the president and the cable network revealed in the criticism of the former vice president's viral comments that if you don't vote democrat, "you ain't black".

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Key Points

• Lawyer for Biden rape accuser Tara Reade resigns from case
• Antimalarial drug taken by Trump-linked to 34 per cent increase in risk of death, study finds
• Go outside and enjoy the beach, hike, golf, tennis on Memorial Day, White House Coronavirus Task Force says
• Trump will override governors if they don't open churches this weekend
• Trump declares churches, synagogues and mosques as "essential". Urges to open right now.
• Church challenging coronavirus restrictions burnt to ground
• Flashback Friday - Trump trolls Fox News pollsters after they show Biden ahead
• 'You ain't black', says Joe Biden to popular African American radio personality

[22 May 2020 21:20 · Justin Vallejo]

Lawyer for Biden rape accuser Tara Reade resigns from case

Dave Widgor dropped Tara Reade as a client after CNN alleged she did not graduate from Antioch University in Seattle as she has claimed.

"Our decision, made on May 20, is by no means a reflection on whether then-Senator Biden sexually assaulted Ms Reade," Mr Widgor told CNN. 

"Much of what has been written about Ms Reade is not probative of whether then senator Biden sexually assaulted her, but rather is intended to victim shame and attack her credibility on unrelated and irrelevant matters."

Graig Graziosi has more.

[22 May 2020 21:40 · Justin Vallejo]

Trump and Fox call a cease-fire

After railing on Fox News all week, Trump late on Friday began tweeting out clips from the network again.

The two seem to have bonded over a common enemy.