Trump says Fauci 'wants to play all sides of the equation' with his concerns over reopening the economy

During a meeting with the governors of Colorado and North Dakota on Tuesday, President Trump said he was surprised over Dr. Anthony Fauci’s concern over reopening the economy too soon, saying “he wants to play all sides of the equation."

Video transcript

- Dr. Fauci yesterday was a little cautious on reopening the economy too soon. Do you share his concern?

DONALD TRUMP: About reopening what?

- Reopening the economy too soon in some states.

DONALD TRUMP: Look, he wants to play both sides of the equation. I think we're going to have a tremendous fourth quarter. I think we're going to have a transitional third quarter. And I think we're going to have a phenomenal next year.

- When you say Dr. Fauci is playing both sides, are you suggesting that the advice he has given to you is different?

DONALD TRUMP: Well, I was surprised-- I was surprised by his answer, actually, because, you know, it's just-- to me, it's not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to schools. The only thing that would be acceptable, as I said, is professors, teachers, et cetera over a certain age. I think they ought to take it easy for another few weeks, five weeks, four weeks, who knows? Whatever it may be.

But I think they have to be careful, because this is a disease that attacks age. And it attacks health. And if you have a heart problem, if you have diabetes, if you're a certain age, it's certainly much more dangerous. But with the young children, I mean, and students, it's really-- just take a look at the statistics. It's pretty amazing.