Sean Penn has taken aim at Donald Trump's response to the Covid-19 pandemic during an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival.
Speaking at a news conference to promote his upcoming movie Flag Day, 60-year-old Penn slammed the former US president's handling of the outbreak.
As reported by the Huffington Post, the two-time Oscar winner said that the Trump administration "let down" the US - and the world - with "half-truths".
"We had truth and reason assaulted under what was in all terms an obscene administration," he said.
Credit: Alamy/UPI
Penn has been leading his own efforts to test and vaccinate underserved communities in both New York and Indi via his non-profit organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), The Guardian reports.
"When my team and I would come home from test and vaccination sites at night, particularly during testing under Trump, to maddening news - it felt like someone with a machine gun gunning down communities that were most vulnerable from a turret at the White House," the Milk star added.
During the conference, reports say that Penn did continue to wear his face mask when he wasn't talking.
Credit: Doug Peters / Alamy
Speaking of the Biden Administration, Penn said: "In the transition to the task force that President Biden put together, it was really that feeling like a sun was rising. There was no effort of integrity coming from the federal government until the Trump administration was dismissed."
This certainly isn't the first time Penn has spoken critically of Trump's handling of the pandemic.
Per the Huffington post, Penn had previously described Trump as "a man who all would concede is guilty of negligent homicide on a grand scale."
Appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers, Penn flashed his wedding band to the camera while on a video link, Penn said: "Yeah, we did a Covid wedding. By that, I mean it was a county commissioner on Zoom and we were at the house, my two children and her brother, and we did it that way."
Sean Penn has railed against the unvaccinated by likening it to "pointing gun in somebody's face."
The 61-year-old Hollywood actor spoke on the subject of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the dangers that unvaccinated moviegoers posed to the public, in a recent interview with CNN’s Michael Smerconish to promote his upcoming film Flag Day.
In it, Penn doubled down on his opinion on anti-vaxxers, after banning unvaccinated people from the movie's premiere last week.
Per Independent, Penn stated: "I have some areas of strong belief in the Second Amendment.
"But I think that you need to recognize how, you know, with something like this, you can’t go around pointing a gun in somebody’s face, which is what it is when people are unvaccinated."
"I do believe that everyone should get vaccinated. I believe it should be mandatory, like turning your headlights on in a car at night," he added.
Penn went on to state that, in order to sow social change from the controversies of the past year, such as the pandemic, and the death of George Floyd, Americans will be forced to be more "interdependent."
Credit: PhotoEdit / Alamy
He also spoke about his recent refusal to return to the set of his Starz TV series Gaslit until all members of the show's cast and crew were vaccinated, as opposed to only those people personally interacting with the actors.
Per The Guardian, Penn has been leading his own efforts to test and vaccinate underserved communities in both New York and India via his non-profit organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE).
The Milk star added: "When my team and I would come home from test and vaccination sites at night, particularly during testing under Trump, to maddening news - it felt like someone with a machine gun gunning down communities that were most vulnerable from a turret at the White House."
A number of celebrities, such as Bette Midler and Mandy Moore, have slammed Donald Trump for telling Americans not to be "afraid" of Covid-19.
On Monday evening, Trump appeared in a video upon his return to the White House, after spending three days receiving treatment for the coronavirus at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Trump was perceived by many to be downplaying the dangers of the virus, telling Americans not to let it "dominate" their lives.
The president spoke about the pandemic in the following video message, which he shared upon his return to the White House:
In a video shared with his 87 million followers on Twitter, Trump said:
"I just left Walter Reed Medical Center and it's really something very special - the doctors, the nurses, the first responders. And I learned so much about coronavirus. And one thing that's for certain: Don't let it dominate you. Don't be afraid of it. You're gonna beat it.
"And now I'm better, and maybe I'm immune - I don't know. But don't let it dominate your lives - get out there, be careful. We have the best medicines in the world, and it all happened very shortly and they're all getting approved. And the vaccines are coming momentarily.
In response, a number of celebrities have made their feelings on the president's stance plain. For instance, actress Bette Midler stated: "The sick #IdiotInChief just tweeted that 'I never felt better in 20 years. Don’t be afraid of getting COVID!' TELL THAT TO THE DEAD! Must be pumped up from steroids & getting medications no one else in the world can get. He shoulda said '#ImHighAsAKite [sic].'"
Mandy Moore also took to Twitter, writing: "Don’t be afraid of covid? Tell that to the 210,000 families who have lost loved ones. To the Black, Brown and Indigenous folks disproportionately affected.
"With tens of millions of jobs lost and the economy tanked. Many of us isolated for months. You’re the cruelest [sic]."
Meanwhile, Captain America actor Chris Evans wrote:
"Don’t be afraid of Covid?! You’ve been under round-the-clock care by the best doctors using the best drugs. Do you really think everyone has access to that?!
"Sadly, I’m sure you’re aware of that disparity, you just don’t care. This is reckless to a shocking degree, even for you [sic]."
Writer and comedian Josh Gad also chimed in by tweeting:
"Don’t be afraid of Covid' America!
"With a helicopter at your disposal and access to treatments only a President can get, you too will get though this just fine in time to get back to your state of the art in-house medical facility with 24 hour care and the best doctors around!"
Scrubs star Zach Braff, who recently lost best friend Nick
Trump first confirmed that his aide, Hope Hicks, tested positive for the novel coronavirus on October 2. Two hours later, he confirmed that he and First Lady Melania Trump, had also tested positive. Trump wrote:
"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER! [sic]"
Actor Chris Evans has lambasted President Donald Trump after he seemingly downplayed the danger of COVID-19.
The trouble began when Trump spoke in a video released to the public upon his return to the White House on Monday evening. This was after spending three days receiving treatment for the coronavirus at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The president was spoke about the pandemic in the following video message, which he shared upon his return to the White House:
In a video shared with his 87 million followers, Trump stated:
"I just left Walter Reed Medical Center and it's really something very special - the doctors, the nurses, the first responders. And I learned so much about coronavirus. And one thing that's for certain: Don't let it dominate you. Don't be afraid of it. You're gonna beat it."
Trump continued:
"We have the greatest country in the world. We're going back, we're going back to work. We're going to be out front... And, I know there's a risk, there's a danger - but that's okay.
"And now I'm better, and maybe I'm immune - I don't know. But don't let it dominate your lives - get out there, be careful. We have the best medicines in the world, and it all happened very shortly and they're all getting approved. And the vaccines are coming momentarily.
Earlier, in a separate tweet, the president also wrote:
"I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago! [sic]"
However, the Captain America star was less-than-impressed by the President's words. In a tweet made to his 14 million Twitter followers, the 39-year-old actor replied to Trump by writing:
"Don’t be afraid of Covid?! You’ve been under round-the-clock care by the best doctors using the best drugs. Do you really think everyone has access to that?! Sadly, I’m sure you’re aware of that disparity, you just don’t care
This is reckless to a shocking degree, even for you."
A number of Evans' followers took to the comments to react to his scathing criticism of Trump, as you can see below:
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Donald Trump first confirmed that one of his top aides, Hope Hicks, had tested positive for the novel coronavirus on October 2. Two hours later, he confirmed that he and First Lady Melania Trump, had also tested positive. Trump wrote:
"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER! [sic]"
Seth Meyers has branded President Trump an "asshole" in his first Late Night from Home.
The host returned on Monday night from the comfort of his own hallway after the coronavirus pandemic made it unsafe for the Late Night team to film the show in a studio. Wearing a casual plaid shirt, Meyers discussed the week's coronavirus news, saving his most harsh commentary on the pandemic for President Trump.
This happened because of Trump's reaction to Senator Mitt Romney's decision to self-quarantine. In case your memory needs refreshing, he's the only Republican senator to convict Trump on one article of impeachment.
When he learned of Romney's situation, Trump said: "Gee, that’s too bad." Trump was then asked if it was sarcasm to which he replied: "No. None whatsoever."
"Oh no? That wasn’t sarcasm?" Meyers said. "So you're genuinely concerned about Romney's well-being? Did you also send him a get-well card that said, 'Ohhhh you're sick??? I'm sooooooo soooorry!"
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Meyers added:
"That's just a reminder that Donald Trump never passes up an opportunity to remind us that he is an awful person, even the midst of a global pandemic. It's almost like he's afraid we'll forget. Like he's worried if he's too focused on solving the crisis, people won't remember that he's the same a**hole who tweeted, 'I've never seen a thin person drinking Diet Coke.'"
Meyers, however, was not the only famous face to slam Trump for his remark. Comedian Trevor Noah also slammed the president on his Daily Show.
"There's no good time for a president to be a d**k, but what he did there was a little, I mean, it was shitty, right?" Noah said.
"Mitt Romney's in danger after being exposed to the virus, and Mitt Romney's wife Ann has MS so she's at a higher risk for complications. And I bet Trump didn't even think of this when he spoke. You know, because he can't imagine a husband and wife getting close enough to expose one another."
A matter of hours before President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announced their positive COVID-19 diagnoses, rival Joe Biden took to social media to slam the President's response to the pandemic.
In the early hours of this morning (October 2), Trump took to Twitter to reveal that he and wife Melania have tested positive for COVID-19.
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Initially, Trump had taken to Twitter to inform his 86.5 million followers that one of his top aides, Hope Hicks, had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Trump wrote:
"Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!"
Then, approximately two hours later, 74-year-old Trump confirmed that he and the First Lady, 50, had both tested positive and will continue quarantining:
"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!"
Somewhat ironically, just a few hours prior to President Trump revealing on social media that he and the first lady had tested positive, the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee called out the POTUS, slamming Trump's "failed COVID-19 response".
Tweeting to his 10.1 million followers, 77-year-old Biden wrote:
"Donald Trump will do everything he can to distract from the fact that because of his failed COVID-19 response:
- Over 200,000 Americans have died - 26 million are on unemployment - 1 in 6 small businesses risk permanent closure
Biden is yet to comment on Donald and Melania Trump's diagnosis.
Hours before receiving the positive diagnosis, Trump was interviewed by Fox News' Sean Hannity, as he and his wife awaited their results.
"I just went out for a test [...] it will come back later I guess, and the first lady also because we spend a lot of time with Hope," Trump said.
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Trump then told Hannity about how difficult it is social distance due to the many uniformed personnel he meets on a daily basis. The POTUS told Hannity:
"It's very hard when you're with soldiers, when you are with airmen, when you're with the Marines, and the police officers, I'm with them so much.
"And when they come over to you, it's hard to say, 'stay back, stay back.' You know, it's a tough kind of a situation, it's a terrible thing."
The President concluded by saying: "I just went for a test, and we'll see what happens. I mean, who knows [...] I was surprised to hear with Hope, but she's a very warm person with them."
First Lady Melania has also taken to social media to comment on the news, writing to her 15.1 million Twitter followers:
"As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19.
"We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together."
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Responding to the concerning news, Sean Conley, the physician to the president, has since written in a memo to the White House press secretary.
In his statement, Conley confirms that both Donald and Melania Trump are well, and will be under a "vigilant watch" from medical professionals.
"The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence," Conley wrote, adding:
"The White House medical team and I will maintain a vigilant watch, and I appreciate the support provided by some of our country’s greatest medical professionals and institutions.
"Rest assured I expect the President to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments."
Per Fox News, White House spokesman Judd Deere has also said in a statement that Donald Trump "takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously."
Deere added:
"White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the President is traveling."
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