Trump praises Abbott for his reopening plan
A week after President Donald Trump slammed Georgia’s governor for reopening that state too fast, he had a different take on Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan announced Monday.
Trump on Tuesday morning took to social media to praise Abbott for a “great job” in coordinating the Texas reopening.
“Texas to open businesses in phases beginning Friday,” Trump tweeted. “Great job being done by @GregAbbott_TX.”
His tweet came less than 24 hours after Abbott announced retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls can re-open starting Friday but must limit operating capacity to 25 percent as part of phase one.
If after two weeks there are no flare-ups, Abbott said those places could move to phase two and have up to 50 percent operating capacity. But Abbott said bars, hair salons and gyms are not ready yet for the same approach. He said he’s working with health professionals on strategies for how they can safely resume, perhaps later in May.
That appears to be a key difference between Abbott’s plan and that of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican who let nail salons, massage therapists, bowling alleys and gyms open last week.
Although the Washington Post reported that Trump initially supported Kemp’s plan, during a White House briefing last week, Trump said he opposed Kemp’s move.
“I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities which are in violation of the phase one guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia,” Trump said.
Trump continued: “I want him to do what he thinks is right, but I disagree with him on what he’s doing, but I want to let the governors do (what they want).”
Abbott on Monday said he ran his reopening plan directly by Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator.
“I sent her a copy of it,” Abbott said. “And she said the Texas plan was great.”
Abbott also was sure to praise Trump and his administration during the Monday briefing.
“They truly have been available to us on a 24/7 basis,” Abbott said.