CNN political commentator Van Jones described the stark contrast between “strength and weakness” between President Donald Trump surviving an assassination attempt and President Biden’s contracting COVID-19 on Wednesday.
In a heartbreaking assessment for Democrats, the former Obama adviser said Trump’s quick recovery from being grazed by a bullet in Saturday’s assassination attempt showed toughness, but argued that Biden, 81, had only suffered a setback with the virus.
“Strengths and weaknesses,” Jones said. Wednesday night on CNN.
“The bullet didn’t stop Trump, but the virus stopped Biden.”
Trump, 78, flew to Milwaukee for the opening of the Republican National Convention one day after he was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday by Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20. The bullet wounded Trump in the ear, struck three rally-goers and killed a beloved 50-year-old volunteer firefighter.
Biden revealed on Wednesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 while returning to his Delaware vacation home to recover from a campaign event in Las Vegas.
The White House said the president’s symptoms were mild and a press corps quoted him as saying he was “feeling fine” after not wearing a mask as he disembarked from Air Force One after it landed late Wednesday night.
Jones went on to compare party differences between the two candidates that pose problems for Democrats.
“The candidates in this party are being pandered to,” Jones said of Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance. “Biden is being trounced by his own party. Democrats are ripping apart, Republicans are uniting.”
Jones acknowledged that there are still plenty of fans who want Biden to remain in the race, including “grassroots love” for the 46th president. Captured by Mediaite.
Jones, who served in the Obama administration, said earlier this month that there was “total panic” behind the scenes among Democrats about Biden and growing pressure for him to drop out of the race.
