US News

FLASHBACK To March 3: Bill De Blasio Asks New Yorkers To Ignore Coronavirus And Get On With Their Lives

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was dismissing the impact of the coronavirus nearly two weeks before blasting President Donald Trump for not mobilizing the military to confront the virus.

De Blasio told Meet The Press’ Chuck Todd on March 22 that he asked Trump to mobilize the military to take the virus head on. He went on to suggest that if the president doesn’t act immediately, then “people will die who could have lived otherwise.”

He made similar comments a week prior, telling MSNBC’s Joy Reid on March 14 that the virus is “a war-like situation … We’re in a wartime scenario with a Mar-a-Lago attitude being used by the federal government.” De Blasio was singing a different tune earlier in March.

“Since I’m encouraging New Yorkers to go on with your lives + get out on the town despite Coronavirus,” the Democrat told his Twitter followers on March 3, no more than two weeks before likening the outbreak to a type of World War that required nationalizing industries.

De Blasio went on to offer some suggestions for what New Yorkers should do instead of social distancing  “I thought I would offer some suggestions. Here’s the first: thru Thurs 3/5 go see “The Traitor,” he said, referring to a 2019 crime drama about the life and times of a Mafia mob boss. 

https://twitter.com/BilldeBlasio/status/1234648718714036229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer
Meanwhile, media pundits lambasted Trump for supposedly not acting fast enough to address the virus despite his decision in January to institute a travel ban on China, where the coronavirus, or COVID-19 originated.

They also lashed out at the president for suggesting on Jan. 22 that his administration has “it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It’s going to be just fine.”

De Blasio’s office has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment regarding his change of heart.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org

Chris White

Share
Published by
Chris White

Recent Posts

President Donald Trump’s Schedule for Friday, August 15, 2025

Schedule Summary: President Donald Trump will travel to Alaska, where he will meet with Russian…

10 hours ago

Jasmine Crockett Demands Dems Pack Supreme Court If They Regain Power During Heated Rant

Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett demanded at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF)…

10 hours ago

DC Quietly Settles Lawsuit With Officer Who Exposed Crime Stats Manipulation

Washington, D.C., settled out of court with a former Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sergeant who…

10 hours ago

DeSantis Doubles Down On Alligator Alcatraz With New Migrant Detention Center

Just weeks after opening Alligator Alcatraz, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled plans for a…

20 hours ago

Leaders Of Activist Group Opposing Trump’s DC Crime Crackdown Have Criminal Records

Three leaders of an anti-police group protesting President Donald Trump’s crackdown on violent crime in…

20 hours ago

Daily Beast Runs Bizarre Story Ripping DeSantis For Approving Executions Of Rapists, Murderers

The Daily Beast on Wednesday published a story appearing to criticize Republican Florida Gov. Ron…

20 hours ago