Trump calls New York a 'ghost town' and blasts Democratic governor's coronavirus lockdowns - before Cuomo bites back saying the state 'has a lower infection rate than the White House'
President Donald Trump called New York a 'ghost town' as he slammed Democratic lockdowns for triggering economic crisis in cities like the Big Apple during Thursday's presidential debate.
In the debate, Trump accused Democratic nominee Joe Biden of trying to destroy the economy through lockdowns to curb the coronavirus crisis.
'If you go and look at what has happened to New York, it’s a ghost town. Take a look at what’s happening to New York. It’s dying,' Trump said on the debate stage in Nashville, Tennessee.
But New York Governor Andrew Cuomo hit back on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert after the debate Thursday night, saying: 'New York has a lower infection rate than the White House.'
Trump used the debate to slam the Democratic governor's handling of the crisis, saying restaurants in New York have been forced to adapt to coronavirus precautions such as using plexiglass and minimizing traffic flow indoors.
'When you talk about plexiglass, these are restaurants that are dying. These are businesses with no money. Putting up plexiglass is unbelievably expensive and it’s not the answer. I mean, you’re going to sit there in a cubicle wrapped in plastic?' he said.
President Donald Trump called New York a 'ghost town' as he slammed Democratic lockdowns for triggering economic crisis in cities like the Big Apple during Thursday's presidential debate
The former Vice President said he doesn't see 'red states' and 'blue states' but stressed that some GOP leaders created relaxed coronavirus measures that led to spikes in virus cases
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo hit back on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert Thursday night after the debate saying: 'New York has a lower infection rate than the White House'
'These are businesses that a dying Joe, you can’t do that to people,' he added in a direct jab at Gov. Cuomo’s strict lockdown measures.
'Take a look at New York and what’s happened to my wonderful city. For so many years, I loved it, it was vibrant. It’s dying, everyone’s leaving New York,' the president said.
But Biden stressed the human toll of the virus that has seen more than 8million Americans infected.
'Take a look at what New York has done in terms of the turning the curve down, in terms of the number of people dying,' Biden said.
The former Vice President said he doesn't see 'red states' and 'blue states', but he did blame GOP state leaders for creating larger coronavirus spikes with laid back measures.
'Look at the states that are having such a spike in the coronavirus. They’re the red states, or the states in the Midwest or the states in the upper Midwest — that’s where the spike is occurring significantly, but they’re all Americans,' Biden said.
Biden stressed protective coronavirus measures but also said businesses needed financial help from the government to see the pandemic through.
Trump has declared multiple times that New York City is dead due to Cuomo's strict coronavirus lockdowns. A view of people enjoying outdoor dining at Herald Square in Manhattan above in August
People wear protective face masks outside Macy's Herald Square as the city continues Phase 4 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus on September 4,
Customers drink mimosas at The Half Pint's outdoor dining area on October 18 in New York City. Under the city's restrictions outdoor dining is open as is indoor dining at reduced capacity
'We have to say "wear these masks," number one, make sure we get the help that the businesses need — the money’s already been passed to do that, It’s been out there since the end of this summer and nothing’s happened,' Biden said.
Trump declared he had done a good job in handling the pandemic, saying the country needs to 'learn to live with it'.
Biden quipped back: 'People are learning to die with it.'
Governor Cuomo appeared on Stephen Colbert's Late Show after the debate, and branded the President's handling of the virus as 'a historic government blunder'.
'He’s never had an idea about how to do this,' said Cuomo. 'Under this president, about 1000 people die everyday.'
Cuomo’s top aide Melissa DeRosa also tweeted: 'New York is shut down? News to me.'
Celebrities also slammed Trump for his comments claiming New York is dead.
The View host Joy Behar tweeted: 'New York is not your wonderful city. New Yorkers hate you.'
Comedian Samantha Bee said: 'He thinks New York is a ghost town because every time he's here all he hears is "Booo."'
Cuomo’s top aide Melissa DeRosa also tweeted: 'New York is shut down? News to me.'
Valerie Jarrett, who served as senior adviser to former President Barack Obama tweeted Cuomo's quote that New York had a lower infection rate than the White House Thursday night
Celebrity chef Padma Lakshmi tweeted: 'New York isn't a ghost town, you clown. And it's not your city'
The View host Joy Behar tweeted: 'New York is not your wonderful city. New Yorkers hate you'
In response to Trump saying 'New York is a ghost town' comedian Samantha Bee tweeted: 'He thinks New York is a ghost town because every time he's here all he hears is "Booo."'
According to a report this month, nearly 60 percent of businesses closed across the country due to the pandemic will never reopen again.
A third of New York City’s small businesses may also never reopen their doors, according to a July report.
Trump stressed that state-enforced lockdowns aren’t a guaranteed way to stop COVID-19 outbreaks.
'Take a look at North Carolina. They’re having spikes and they’ve been closed and they’re getting killed financially. We can’t let that happen, Joe. You can’t let that happen,' he said.
Trump himself contracted COVID-19, which led to the cancellation of the second official debate when it was made virtual, as did around three dozen White House members.
