We heard yesterday about the latest manifestation of Trump’s narcissism: he ordered that his signature be printed on the paper stimulus checks that are going to be mailed to 70 million Americans, delaying these much-needed payments. In another horrific display of how gross and fragile his ego is, on Tuesday Trump said that he would cut off U.S. funding to WHO because, “We have not been treated properly.” As a narcissist, Trump loves to find reasons to be offended, even if he invents them out of thin air. The terrible thing is that other people pay for it, and the U.S. looks even worse to the rest of the world.
This latest move has been met with furious blowback from business groups, Democrats, foreign leaders and health groups. Myron Brilliant, the executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (which usually aligns itself with Republicans) stated the obvious: “Cutting the WHO’s funding during the COVID-19 pandemic is not in U.S. interests given the organization’s critical role assisting other countries — particularly in the developing world — in their response.” Trump is always willing to cut off his nose to spite his face. While ceasing funding to the World Health Organization would always be a terrible decision, there probably couldn’t be a worse time to do it than during a pandemic, logistically or politically, but Trump doesn’t care.
If you’d rather watch a competent, engaging briefing on COVID-19, check out WHO’s daily briefings. Yesterday’s briefing is here and is worth the watch. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus began his opening remarks by talking about the foundation and goals of WHO to support equally the health of everyone around the world. He said, “The United States has been a long-standing and generous friend to WHO, and we hope it will continue to be so. We regret the decision of the president of the United States to order a hold in funding to the World Health Organization.” He went on to talk about the important, lifesaving work that WHO does for people around the world with the help of, among others, the United States. Dr. Tedros also listed a number of conditions that WHO is “fighting” beyond COVID-19, including (though he didn’t say this), conditions that countless Americans are living with.
Bill Gates is one of those speaking out against Trump’s decision, and he echoed the comments of Myron Brilliant and others:
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates criticized President Trump’s decision to suspend funding to the World Health Organization as “dangerous,” saying the payments should continue particularly during the global coronavirus pandemic.
“Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds,” Gates tweeted early Wednesday. “Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.”
The United States, the organization’s largest donor, has committed to provide the WHO with $893 million during its current two-year funding period, a State Department spokesperson told The Washington Post.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the family’s giant philanthropy, is the next biggest donor to WHO after the U.S., accounting for close to 10 percent of the United Nations agency’s funding.
As The Washington Post’s Anne Gearan reported, the president said on Tuesday that the halt in U.S. funding would continue for a period of 60 to 90 days “while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization’s role and severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.”
“We have not been treated properly,” Trump said at the Tuesday news briefing. He added, “The WHO pushed China’s misinformation about the virus.”
It remains unclear whether the United States will cut off money to the main international organization, or if Trump is setting conditions for a resumption of U.S. payments at a later date, The Post reported.
The announcement looms as a potentially devastating blow to the agency during the coronavirus pandemic, as the United States’ donations make up nearly 15 percent of all voluntary donations given worldwide.
U.N. Secretary General António Guterres called out Trump (without naming him), saying that, “Now is not the time to reduce the resources for the operations of the World Health Organization or any other humanitarian organization in the fight against the virus.” He said that instead, nations need to come together in their efforts to combat the virus. The American Medical Association called Trump’s decision “a dangerous step in the wrong direction.”
I shouldn’t be at all surprised that Trump would decide to do this, because he’s a narcissist who can’t see past his bubble. He takes personal offense when he feels that the United States has been slighted. He’s also trying to distract people from how badly he screwed up (and is screwing up) his response, and, in turn, the federal response to the pandemic: “Don’t get mad at me! Get mad at WHO!” The loss of life is terrible, and I’ve been trying to limit my news intake in part because the Trump sideshow makes everything exponentially worse. I hope that in addition to social-distancing, wearing masks outside, and washing your hands, you’re all practicing whatever self-care you need to right now.
Photos credit: Getty and Avalon.red
I am European, and what I do not understand is how is it possible that the only way to limit or remove the President is through impeachement. He really can take this kind of decision all alone? No limits, he really has full power?
As a non-American, I am also really confused.
How can he have unilateral decision making in so many matters especially in which states receive help and which states don’t. I can’t believe that it is acceptable that governors have to praise him in order to get assistance.
If he does things that are unconstitutional the recourse is the courts. That takes a while. Plus the republicans have packed the courts with trump appointees so the courts just back him up with legally dubious rulings. We are well and truly screwed. I’m
I really don’t get it, and i am buffled, because I always had the idea like America is a free country, and I have the impression that the President has too much power: he does what he wants and there is no way to stop him…putting his name on the checks? REALLY? Stopping the WHO fund? To me it looks like dictatorship…and I really don’t get it.
I think the issue is at least partly that the US has relied on the assumption of decency and respect for rule-following for its presidents, which has largely turned out okay before now. Not great or perfect, but okay. This president has no decency, doesn’t give a s— about rules and we’ve realized that we essentially have no safeguards for this kind of amoral behavior. The whole thing has been a house of cards for a while, truly dependent on the integrity and restraint of the office holder, and it’s all fallen apart now.
Executive reach has increased somewhat in recent years, but the real problem here is Congress – or more specifically, the Senate. They could easily reign his power in. They could vote to impeach. They could enforce Amendment 25. They choose not to because they’ve tied their own power to his populism. This is literally a power coup from one party. It would not be allowed to happen otherwise.
He thinks he does. The Republican Senators had the opportunity to convict and remove him from office in February, so that Constitutional remedy did not work. Republicans have found and exploited every loophole in the system. Still, Congress has “the power of the purse.” I don’t know where WHO funding falls though, if considered a kind of foreign treaty organization.
Here’s the feedback I got about this from my colleagues in the US:
“So actually he can’t. Over the past couple years Trump has threatened to de-fund many entities (PEPFAR, USAID, Global Fund, World Bank to name a few) and each time he learned that the Constitution doesn’t actually give him that power. In the US, the President requests or “proposes” a budget. This request goes to Congress. The Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives in fact has the most power over the US budget. This committee is chaired by a Congresswoman who very much values public health, humanitarian work, and multilateral institutions. Each time cuts to these types of entities were proposed, the funding has been added back into the budget”
So, as usual, he’s a blithering idiot who doesn’t know what he’s doing
@Eleonor You’re right: it *is* a dictatorship. The problem is that a lot of people here have never seen or paid attention to what a dictatorship looks like so they don’t realize that’s what happened, or more likely, they are in support. The 2016 was a coup. I grew up in a country that had regular military coups so I knew when I saw the signs. This country crows like a rooster (and that’s an insult to the rooster) about how great it is but at ground level, most especially for Black people and POC, it is already a military state and it is and always has been run by white supremacy at its very foundation whether in the face of a white man or white woman. I think a lot of people have kidded themselves because it didn’t affect them but now the blindfold is coming off to what many of us already knew and experienced. Unfortunately, I think it’s too late. The changes this administration is instituting, the flagrant disregard for law, the riling up of the already-existing white supremacists (in all forms, subtle or overt): all of this is just moving this country further down into a cesspool of its own making. And we’re just at the beginning of recession that will only get worse for those most affected.
The lesson of this Presidency is there are far to many powers afforded thru executive action. I get that few could have anticipated a Trump presidency, but here we are, now we need politicians forge a legislative fix to this nightmare
I am European and I am shocked of how much power he has. This is insane he can execute such decisions. in most European countries this simply will be impossible without going through parlamebt and can be a subject to Constitutional Tribunal. American system is seriously messed up
But what about ID 2020? Who’s gonna be first to get ‘their digital fingerprint’?
Ugh no thanks. Go away Gates.
@watercress – exactly.
What is ID 2020? and digital fingerprint?
Microchips have no place in our bodies either Mr. Gates!!!
We’re not getting out of this crisis while he’s president. We will have temporary reprieves, at best. And if he somehow gets four more years, we are never getting out of this. I’m incredibly depressed and near giving up. This is not a plea for a pep speech. Believe me.
We have the 25th Amendment, which calls for the removal of the president from office if they are unfit or incapable of performing the duties of the office.
After Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, acting Director Andrew McCabe discussed with several Justice Department officials whether VP Pence and the cabinet would be willing to invoke the 25th. McCabe was then fired by then-AG Jeff Sessions for supposedly leaking information to the press. McCabe later stated he believed his dismissal was politically motivated.
In 2018, over 100 psychiatrists signed a letter to Congress requesting he consider invoking the 25th Amendment due to Trump being mentally unfit to serve the office.
But he still can fire people he doesn’t like and nobody can stop him…I mean in a democracy one person cannot do that without asking and having the parliament vote…
@Eleonor Exactly. That’s why this is a dictatorship. No one wants to admit it because they have their heads up their ***** and want to believe some great America illusion, even though all of the signs from the abuse of power, the inability to impeach (!!!!), ICE raids, children in cages, and the list goes on and on. As Curtis Mayfield sang, “If there’s a hell below/we’re all gonna go.”
Darla, I agree and understand completely.
In the past 4-7 days I have told my brother and cousin that if they even speak Trumps name to me again, I will disengage from the conversation by either hanging up the phone or walking away. The unhinged insane bs that is our current situation during Trumps administration is beyond my ken.
People/relatives I have known for 15-30+ years …. Trumpers. And defend that bastard with the most idiotic bs I have ever heard. These are not wealthy people either, but college degrees and yet they have drunk the kool-aid.
God help us all.
I have the same situation SJR. I really know exactly how you must feel. Same boat.
SJR I agree. Found that some of my colleagues are Trumpers and I just did not bother arguing with them, just walk away and be professional. Even when you state matter of fact the irrational things he has done, they will say let’s not talk politics. In my heart I question their humanity. Because when we denounce Hitler, do we ever say let’s not talk about politics? How come people can get past this? So I don’t see them as humans, just colleagues.
Same here SJR. I’ve written before about family and friends who are Trumpers. It’s mind-boggling. Apathy and brainwashing are the only answers I can come up with.
Good. Call him on his bs! Then, Gates can write a check to double the support for WHO.
Gates, Bezos, Buffet, Zuckerberg, etc. get off your wealthy asses and do it!!
Why wait??
Oops, I meant to comment on Gates calling out Trump for cutting funding to WHO.
Hi Quimby! You’re new to me, I don’t think I’ve ever read a piece from you before.
Yeah, Trump is going to be the death of us. He’s putting his ego and pride before the well being of the country. I pay attn to what’s going on in NYC bc this is where I live but I’m taking it from the people on the ground. I update myself every few days bc if I look to the administration or look up what’s going on elsewhere more frequently I’d be so depressed.
Another European (German) here and it’s crazy to me that such an incompetent fool hold the most powerful office in the world. Absolutely blows my mind and those Republican politicians who *know* better, but refuse to *do* better because they fear what Trump might tweet about them, are a bunch of cowardly losers. I understand that Trump’s base is loud, but Jesus Christ, have they no shame?
nope. just evil & greed
I’m glad Gates called him out. I can imagine how it’s sitting with Trump that a real billionaire, who actually knows a lot more about the WHO and global public health than he could begin to grasp, is speaking out.
I only heard the tail end on the radio when I got into the car this morning but a Trump spokeswoman of some sort was doing a fine job of scapegoating the WHO for the escalation of COVID-19 in the U.S. I’m glad the NPR reporter called her out on the fact that the WHO notified the U.S. about this in Dec., not Feb/March as the Trumpeter was trying to claim.
That moron Kellyanne yapped on about there being 18 viruses before Covid-19. JFC, it’s 19 because 2019, the year it appeared!
I saw that and I honestly think Kellyanne is not that dumb — but she knows how dumb Trump’s supporters are and that made for a memorable soundbite. She seems to truly enjoy spreading disinformation. I feel like it’s all a game to her.
Who’s not running the country it’s the anus yam. He can forget projecting. Thanks for putting your name on all the checks. Americans can know who to curse for the delayed delivery
Amazon/Bezos could double that amount by just shaking its couch cushions. But would that look hypocritical alongside their absolutely appalling treatment of their staff…
Many someone’s need to step up and show that Trump does not represent America, only his own self-interests. There are enough wealthy philanthropists in the US that could make up for that shortfall and then some. We all see through Grump’s tantrum, this one more dangerous and egregious than usual.
I didn’t think I had hate left for that imbecile. He has stimulated an infinite generator of hate in my heart. Please let November be the end to his nightmare.