Trump defends handling of coronavirus amid widespread criticism and CDC warning

Donald Trump has defended his administration's handling of the coronavirus crisis, saying his government is doing a "great" job, lashing out at Democrats and saying: "So far, by the way, we have not had one death."

Returning from a two-day trip to India, the president responded to a growing chorus of criticism, with even usually loyal Republican politicians questioning whether he is doing enough to protect Americans against the deadly virus.

Mr Trump tweeted: "CDC and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling Coronavirus, including the very early closing of our borders to certain areas of the world.

"It was opposed by the Dems, 'too soon', but turned out to be the correct decision. No matter how well we do, however, the Democrats talking point is that we are doing badly.

"If the virus disappeared tomorrow, they would say we did a really poor, and even incompetent, job. Not fair, but it is what it is. So far, by the way, we have not had one death. Let's keep it that way!"

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