Biden Mocks Trump on Anniversary of Bleach Injection Suggestion for COVID-19

President Joe Biden took a jab at former President Donald Trump on the fourth anniversary of Trump's infamous suggestion that injecting disinfectant could be a potential treatment for COVID-19. In a video shared by Biden, Trump is seen asking during an April 2020 White House briefing if there is a way to do something like that "by injection inside, almost a cleaning."

Biden, who has previously criticized Trump for the bleach injection comments, warned people not to inject bleach and not to vote for the person who suggested it. "Remember when he told us, literally, inject bleach? Bless me, Father," Biden said at a recent campaign event, referencing Trump's remarks.

Trump's suggestion faced immediate backlash and concern from the medical community. His then-press secretary argued that he was not telling Americans to inject themselves with bleach, but rather suggesting that experts study the use of disinfectants as a potential treatment. However, calls to poison control centers spiked in the days following Trump's comments as some people attempted to self-medicate with household cleaning products.

Why this matters: Biden's mocking of Trump's past statements highlights the former president's widely criticized response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included promoting unproven treatments. The incident was seen as a watershed moment that symbolized the chaotic nature of Trump's presidency and his handling of the public health crisis.

Experts have described Trump as the "single largest driver" of COVID-19 misinformation during his time in office. A study found that Trump was responsible for 38% of the overall "misinformation conversation" related to the pandemic. Biden's latest jab at his predecessor comes as Trump faces ongoing legal challenges, including a criminal trial stemming from hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Key Takeaways

• Biden mocked Trump's infamous 2020 suggestion to inject disinfectant.
• Trump's remarks faced backlash, with calls to poison control centers spiking.
• The incident symbolized the chaotic nature of Trump's pandemic response.
• Experts found Trump was the "single largest driver" of COVID-19 misinformation.
• Biden's jab comes as Trump faces ongoing legal challenges, including a criminal trial.