After health authorities around the world have advised people to stop shaking hands to avoid getting infected by the coronavirus, Trump said he would stick to the old way because “you can’t be a politician and not shake hands.”

Five days later, since more than 600 cases and 26 deaths have been confirmed in the U.S., Trump finally began reminding people to be vigilant and careful.

"If you are sick or not feeling well, stay home."

“如果你生病了，或者身体不适，在家待着。”

3月11日，一贯“乐观”的特朗普开始号召“如果你生病了，或者身体不适，在家待着，我们必须把政治放在一边，停止党派之争”。

13日，特朗普宣布美国进入紧急状态，并将身为政治家必要的“握手”改成了“碰肘”。

16日，特朗普在记者会上首次承认美国经济可能出现衰退，但他强调，一旦遏制住疫情，美国经济将因为需求积压而反弹，最终将实现巨大增长。

而在被问及疫情期间的表现时，特朗普依然不假思索地给自己打出了满分。

Trump declared a national emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic on March 13. And in the news conference on Monday, Trump acknowledged for the first time that the U.S. economy may be heading for a recession. But still, he gave himself a perfect 10 out of 10 when asked how he would grade his response to the coronavirus pandemic.

特朗普显然并不是只身前来参加“变形计”的。

在总统的口风转向以后，美国福克斯电视台的部分言论也发生了一系列大反转：

从“最坏的情况也就是流感”到“这是一种我们以前从未见过的全球大流行病”；

从“新冠病毒更致命的说法与事实不符”到“我们正面临一种极具传染性和危险性的病毒”；

相关报道: