In a startling commentary on Wednesday night, MSNBC host Joy Reid made a perplexing comparison between the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden contracting COVID-19. Reid’s argument? That both incidents, due to the men’s advanced ages, are similarly significant indicators of their strength.
This eyebrow-raising statement came on the heels of the announcement regarding President Biden’s health. Earlier that day, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had informed the nation that Biden had tested positive for COVID-19 after his first event in Las Vegas. “He is vaccinated and boosted and he is experiencing mild symptoms. He will be returning to Delaware where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time. The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status,” she said.
While Biden is isolating with mild symptoms, Reid took the opportunity to criticize Trump’s reaction during the assassination attempt. Referring to the moment when Trump made a famous pose after being shot at and ushered off the stage, Reid commented, “These two men are both elderly. Donald Trump is an elderly man who, for whatever reason, was given nine seconds to take an iconic photo op during an active shooter situation. Weird situation, we’ll figure that out one day.”
In an unusual twist, Reid then acknowledged Trump’s rapid recovery from the incident. “But his survival of that and bouncing right back and going right to his convention is being conveyed in the media world as a sign of strength,” she admitted.
However, Reid went on to suggest that Biden’s potential quick recovery from COVID-19 would be “exactly the same thing” as Trump’s reaction to the assassination attempt. “This current president of the United States is 81 years old and has COVID. Should he be fine in a couple of days? Doesn’t that convey exactly the same thing? That he’s strong enough, older than Trump, to have gotten something that used to really be fatal to people his age.”
Reid’s comparison, while bizarre, highlights a broader narrative she attempts to push: equating the severity of Biden’s mild COVID-19 case with Trump’s survival of an assassination attempt. She concluded, “So if he does fine out of it and comes back and is able to do rallies, isn’t that exactly the same? I mean, it’s not exactly the same. It’s not the same incident, but it’s an elderly man coming through out of an illness. It should.”
Meanwhile, Trump took to Truth Social to address the attack, offering gratitude and resilience. “Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”
In the wake of these events, the contrasting reactions of Reid and Trump underscore the divergent perspectives on leadership, strength, and the challenges faced by these two prominent figures. As Biden navigates his recovery from COVID-19 and Trump moves forward from the assassination attempt, the nation watches closely, drawing its own conclusions about what true resilience and leadership look like.
