Trump's coronavirus mismanagement again undercuts his CEO image

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/05/politics/president-management-covid-2020/index.html

In his closing argument before the 2016 election, Donald Trump pointed voters toward his "under budget and ahead of schedule" new Washington hotel: "A metaphor for what we can accomplish for this country."

Trump pitched himself as a successful businessman and an executive, even though his actual record included a string of spectacular bankruptcies and lawsuits -- including an effort during the 2008 financial crisis to sidestep a $40 million debt to Deutsche Bank by invoking a "force majeure" clause likening the economic catastrophe to riots or floods. Rather than pay what he owed, he sued the bank claiming harm to his finances and reputation, eventually settling out of court.

He has insisted the virus "snuck up on us," faulting China for failing to give "earlier notice." Earlier, when minimizing the risks posed by the disease, he said China's "very hard" work would protect Americans.

He has blamed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for years in which it "did nothing" to upgrade testing systems. Earlier, at CDC headquarters, he called testing "perfect" and available to all.

As the damage has grown, so have Trump's attempts to absolve himself.

"I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn't our fault," he said, explaining his desire to keep a cruise ship with infected Americans offshore.

"I don't take responsibility at all," he said of the administration's testing woes.