For the past four years, MSNBC has never missed an opportunity to say that President Trump is in cahoots with Vladimir Putin to undermine democracy and American national security and that Trump loves his autocratic nature. On Monday's MSNBC Live, host Stephanie Ruhle and Keir Simmons claimed that Trump's hospitalization due to COVID-19 highlights that Trump doesn't take the virus seriously, unlike Putin, whom they lavished with praise.
Simmons, reporting from Moscow, was asked by Ruhle to explain how the world has reacted to Trump's diagnosis and hospitalization. Simmons began by apologizing to viewers, "I guess I'm imagining some of this will leave you fairly infuriated that the reality is that, as America's adversaries are sending kind of warm messages that you might expect from America's allies."
Of course, allies are sending those messages. Ruhle had 30 seconds earlier read tweets from the leaders of the U.K., Israel, and India doing just that. Others allies have as well, MSNBC just didn't report them.
After reading Putin's message to Trump, Simmons then praised Putin for realizing that actions speak louder than words on fighting COVID, "In fact, President Putin, in his actions, recognizing that optimism won't protect you from the coronavirus. He's insisting that most people who meet him quarantine for two weeks beforehand, walk through a disinfectant tunnel and is having his meetings with his cabinet and security advisers remotely by video."
After Simmons finished talking about North Korea, Venezuela, and China, Ruhle also highlighted the contrast between Putin and Trump, "And as a reminder, President Trump who has been out on the campaign trail hosting events at the White House and other places over the last six months, advocating for people not to wear masks, that is in stark contrast to President Vladimir Putin who has basically been in isolation for the past six months. Two very different responses."
Yes, Putin hasn't been out on the campaign trail because he doesn't need to be. The network that coined the phrase "Moscow Mitch" should know that. Who's Putin's useful idiot now?
This segment was sponsored by TD Ameritrade.
Here is a transcript of the October 5 show:
MSNBC
MSNBC Live with Stephanie Ruhle
9:42 AM ET
STEPHANIE RUHLE: Let's go global. This morning, we're learning more about the global fallout from President Trump testing positive for the coronavirus. World leaders from countries like the U.K, India, Pakistan and Israel have already wished him a speedy recovery. But President Trump is not the first leader, of course, to test positive for the virus. The most high profile include Brazilian president Bolsonaro and U.K Prime Minister Boris Johnson. NBC’s Keir Simmons has the latest in Moscow. Keir, it has been a few days since we learned about the president's diagnosis. Tell us how the world is reacting.
KEIR SIMMONS: Well, I'm going to apologize in advance, Steph, because I guess I'm imagining some of this will leave you fairly infuriated that the reality is that, as America's adversaries are sending kind of warm messages that you might expect from America's allies. So President Putin here in Russia sending a telegram that reads a little more like a love letter to President Trump, “Your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism,” President Putin says, “will help you cope.” In fact, President Putin, in his actions, recognizing that optimism won't protect you from the coronavirus. He's insisting that most people who meet him quarantine for two weeks beforehand, walk through a disinfectant tunnel and is having his meetings with his cabinet and security advisers remotely by video. Kim Jong-un's staff sending a message to President Trump saying he sincerely hopes the president and first lady will recover as soon as possible. Even the Venezuelan president calling Mr. Trump a fierce enemy but wishing him health and life. Here's an interesting point, Steph, President XI of China took 24 hours to send a goodwill message to President Trump and the first lady, suggesting -- saying that they should -- he hopes they have a fast recovery. Chinese state-run newspapers saying the president has paid the price for playing down the pandemic. So that increasing animosity between the Trump Administration and the leadership of China. President Trump accusing China of being responsible for this pandemic, playing out even now with President Trump in the hospital.
RUHLE: And as a reminder, President Trump who has been out on the campaign trail hosting events at the White House and other places over the last six months, advocating for people not to wear masks, that is in stark contrast to President Vladimir Putin who has basically been in isolation for the past six months. Two very different responses. Keir, stay safe where you are.
