Did Trump Personally Change 'Corona' to 'Chinese' in the Press Conference Script?

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] A scene was captured where U.S. President Donald Trump used the word 'CHINESE' instead of 'Corona' on the script he used during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) task force (TF) press conference. This has drawn attention as it came amid a tense standoff between China and the U.S. over COVID-19 relief funds.

On the 19th (local time), Washington Post (WP) photojournalist Javin Botsford photographed and reported on the script President Trump used at the COVID-19 TF press conference that day. In the photo, the printed word 'Corona' is crossed out with a black marker, and above it is written 'CHINESE.'

NBC News reported that the corrected word appears to be in the president's own handwriting. WP pointed out, "Trump's choice of words has become a point of pride among some White House aides and supporters," adding, "The more Trump struggles to handle the public health crisis, the more he uses this word."

The controversial photo emerged as President Trump repeatedly referred to COVID-19 as the 'Chinese virus' in public statements and tweets. If Trump himself made the correction, it means he emphasized the 'China responsibility theory' not only through his speech and Twitter but also by handwriting it.

President Trump rebutted criticism that his remarks could fuel racial hatred against Asians by saying, "It is not racist at all," and "It came from China." On the same day, Trump counterattacked media outlets criticizing his remarks by labeling them as 'pro-China.'

On the 20th, Chinese state media fiercely condemned the U.S., urging it not to stigmatize China with the COVID-19 label. The Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, the People's Daily, published an editorial titled "Zongsheng," stating, "Some U.S. politicians are ignoring international organizations' guidelines and stigmatizing China by associating it with COVID-19," and criticized them for "spreading the poison of stigma and false rumors."

The People's Daily added, "Such immoral acts are highly irresponsible, do not help their own epidemic prevention, and seriously hinder international cooperation on epidemic control," emphasizing, "China is strongly angered and opposed to this. China hopes the U.S. will immediately correct its mistakes and stop groundless accusations against China."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.