Trump admits that he has played down the seriousness of the Corona virus to spare Americans from panic

US President Donald Trump admitted that he tried to reduce the seriousness of the new Corona virus at the beginning of its outbreak, according to audio recordings of excerpts from an interview with the veteran American journalist Bob Woodward published on Wednesday.

Trump said in an interview with Woodward on March 19, "I always wanted to reduce the extent of its danger (the virus)," according to what was reported by "CNN", which reviewed the book "Fury", to be published on September 15.

He added in his recorded interview with Woodward, "I still want to underestimate how dangerous it is, because I do not want to create a state of panic."

The comments, published eight weeks before the presidential elections, exacerbated the pressure on Trump.

Surveys show that about two-thirds of Americans are dissatisfied with the way he managed the Coronavirus crisis, and he is accused of underestimating the severity of the crisis in order to enhance his chances of winning a second presidential term.

In a statement to reporters at the White House, Trump denounced the book, calling it a "new political assassination."

He said he had downplayed the severity of COVID-19 to avoid hysteria.

"In fact, I am the captain of the cheerleading team in this country. I love this country and I do not want the people to panic," he said.

Trump added, "I will not lead this country or the world into hysteria," stressing that "we have to show leadership and the last thing you want to do is create panic."

Observers expect that the book will provide new arguments that will be used by the Democrats who consider that Trump has failed to prepare Americans to face the seriousness of the Corona virus outbreak and to lead them towards the appropriate response.

And in previous interviews with Woodward, Trump made it clear that he was aware that the virus was "deadly" and far more dangerous than regular flu.

But Trump had always reassured Americans in the first weeks of 2020 that the virus was not dangerous and that it would "go away" on its own.

It took until July before the US president was convinced to wear a muzzle during his public appearances.

Trump often praised China's response to the epidemic in the early stages, before turning on it later, holding it responsible for its spread and causing the global health crisis. 

The total death toll from Covid-19 in the United States is expected to exceed the 200,000 mark. 

Trump insists on his success in managing the response to the epidemic and the correctness of his proactive decisions to ban travelers from China, where the virus first appeared, and from hot spots in Europe.

Yet polls show that two-thirds of Americans oppose his decisions.

White House press officer Kelly McKinani told reporters that the only motivation for Trump to reduce the severity of the virus was to reassure Americans.

"It is important to show confidence, it is important to show calm," she added, noting that "the president has never lied to the Americans about Covid-19."

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