Trump: "95,000 COVID Deaths... Will Disappear Even Without Vaccine"

Retreat from Earlier Expectation of Expansion to 100,000
Denied Late After Not Wearing Mask at Meeting with Veterans in Their 90s

President Trump is greeting World War II veterans on the 8th. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 8th (local time) that the number of deaths in the United States due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) could reach 95,000 or more. This is a slight decrease compared to the previously mentioned figure of 100,000 deaths.

According to U.S. media and White House reporters' tweets, President Trump made these remarks during a meeting with Republican House members at the White House that day. He said, "We may ultimately be talking about 95,000 people."

The death toll projection mentioned by President Trump had increased from around 50,000 to 60,000 in mid-April to as high as 100,000 on the 3rd.

According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the current number of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. stands at 76,706.

At the event, President Trump also claimed that the coronavirus would eventually disappear even without a vaccine. Regarding the reopening of economic activities, he said, "I am confident that we can rebuild the economy to its previous level," and "next year will be a remarkable year."

President Trump said he would support payroll tax cuts as part of economic stimulus measures. He had advocated for payroll tax cuts as an early response to the COVID-19 crisis but faced opposition from Congress.

Meanwhile, President Trump addressed his not wearing a mask when meeting with veterans in their 90s at the World War II victory commemoration event that day, saying, "I was far away from them." However, U.S. media pointed out that President Trump greeted the veterans at close range.

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