Trump defends name-calling as voters quiz confrontational style

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has defended his administration’s response to the coronavirus and his confrontational style of name-calling political opponents during a televised question and answer session.

Mr Trump, who regularly calls his top Democratic presidential opponents “Sleepy Joe” and “Crazy

Bernie” was asked whether he could deliver his message without the controversial rhetoric.

He told the event in Scranton, Pennsylvania and broadcast on Fox News: “You can’t turn your cheek. When they hit us, we have to hit back. I really feel that.”

The first question, from an undecided voter, was about the administration’s response to the virus. The number of the cases in the US stood at about 200 on Thursday, including 12 deaths – 11 in Washington state and one in California.

He said: “Everybody has to be calm. It’s all going to work out. We hope it doesn’t last too long.”

Meanwhile, during a lightning round, Mr Trump, a selfproclaimed germaphobe, said he has got over his aversion to handshaking, even during the age of the coronavirus.

“You can’t be a politician and not shake hands,” the president said.

The president also did not mince his words as he hit out at former Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren yesterday, insisting that sexism was not to blame for the end of the Massachusetts senator’s presidential campaign.

Speaking to reporters as he signed an emergency 8.3 billion US dollar funding package to help tackle the Covid-19 outbreak, Mr

Trump was asked whether he thought sexism had anything to do with Ms Warren’s departure from the Democratic presidential race.

“No, I think lack of talent was her problem. She has a tremendous lack of talent,” Mr Trump responded, although he commended her debate performances.