Under fire for nursing home coronavirus deaths, Gov. Cuomo tries to blame Trump and faces a furious online backlash

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo attempted to put the blame on the Trump administration for the mishandling of the coronavirus patients in nursing homes, and the internet responded back with scorn and ridicule.

Cuomo was speaking to Stephanie Ruhle of MSNBC when he made the comments.

"Yes, we had more people die in nursing homes than anywhere else, because we had more people die," Cuomo said.

"Because the federal government missed the boat and never told us this virus was coming from Europe and not from China," he claimed.

"And in January, in February, March, before they did the European travel ban, three million people came from Europe and brought the virus to New York, uh, and the federal government didn't know, and the federal government didn't, the CDC, and all of them failed to handle this pandemic and warn this nation," Cuomo continued.

"So New York had more cases, and more deaths, and more deaths in nursing homes because that's who the virus affects, it affects senior citizens, we know that," he said.

"It's all a political charade, and an ugly one, frankly," Cuomo concluded.

The response

Cuomo was mocked and ridiculed by many for trying to pass the buck onto the Trump administration, which announced the travel ban on people entering from Europe on March 11.

"Why does Andrew Cuomo think it matters if this is a European or Chinese virus? He still could have been a competent leader and shut down New York in early or mid-March, instead of March 22nd. Thousands died from COVID-19 who did not have to die," responded Guardian columnist Ross Barkan.

"Absolute nonsense from Cuomo," replied Charles C.W. Cooke, National Review editor.

"People lost parents & grandparents. That's NOT just politics. You know a Democrat is in trouble when even MSNBC is calling them out," tweeted Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.).

Here's the interview with Cuomo:

Cuomo: Placing Blame On His Office For Nursing Home Deaths Is A 'Charade' | Stephanie Ruhle | MSNBCwww.youtube.com