Reporter Asks: ‘You’re Not Encouraging Americans To Inject Disinfectant?’, Trump Reacts: “No, Of Course, Not. …It Was Said Sarcastically”

Image source: C-SPAN video screenshot.

During Thursday’s Coronavirus Task Force briefing, Bill Bryan, the head of the science and technology directorate at the Department of Homeland Security, presented the findings of the federal government’s study on sunlight, humidity and temperature’s effect on the coronavirus — as well as various disinfectants on the virus when it is on surfaces.

The president reacted to Bryan’s comments, suggesting that light and disinfectants may have the potential to treat COVID-19. However, the media and Democratic lawmakers took the president’s remarks “out of context”, according to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.

While taking a few questions from reporters Friday at an Oval Office bill signing, the president said he was being sarcastic when he suggested that scientists should consider exposing the body to disinfectants as a potential treatment for the coronavirus.

“I was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you just to see what would happen,” President Trump told reporters.

“I was asking a sarcastic– and a very sarcastic question– to the reporters in the room about disinfectant on the inside,” the president continued. “But it does kill it, and it would kill it on the hands and that would make things much better. That was done in the form of a sarcastic question to the reporters.”

A reporter pointed out that the president had turned to experts next to the podium when he first raised the idea on Thursday, the president claimed he was asking those officials “whether or not sun and disinfectant on the hands … can help us.” Continued Below

Related: Trump Stumps Reporter As She Grills Him Over His Initial Response To The Crisis: “How Many Cases Were In The U.S. [When] I Did A Ban?”)

Reuters White House Correspondent, Jeff Mason, also asked the president: “Just to clarify: You’re not encouraging Americans to inject disinfectant?”

President Trump reacted: “No, of course not. Interior wise, it was said sarcastically. It was put in the form of a question to a group of extraordinary hostile people. Namely, the fake news media.” Video Below


President Trump’s official remarks:

Bill Bryan on increased temperature, humidity, and solar light: