White House: Media Took Trump Remarks on CCP Virus Treatments ‘Out of Context’

President Donald Trump speaks during daily briefing of the CCP virus task force at the White House in Washington on April 23, 2020. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

A White House spokeswoman said that news outlets took President Donald Trump’s Thursday night remarks out of context when he was speaking about potential treatments for the CCP virus.

“President Trump has repeatedly said that Americans should consult with medical doctors regarding coronavirus treatment, a point that he emphasized again during yesterday’s briefing,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement on Friday

“Leave it to the media to irresponsibly take President Trump out of context and run with negative headlines,” she added.

Trump’s comments have been the subject of speculation after he talked about the possibility of sunlight or disinfectant being used to treat patients with the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

The remarks came after William Bryan, a top Department of Homeland Security science official, presented research showing that the virus deteriorates more quickly when exposed to high temperatures, humidity, and sunlight, adding that bleach and isopropyl alcohol kill the virus in minutes.

In the press conference, Trump noted that there have been discussions of testing ultraviolet light on patients or on how to bring light inside the body.

“So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous—whether it’s ultraviolet or just very powerful light—and I think you said that hasn’t been checked, but you’re going to test it,” Trump said, according to a White House transcript. “And then I said, supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way, and I think you said you’re going to test that too. It sounds interesting.”

“Then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning,” Trump continued. “Because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that.”

Trump later clarified his remarks in the press conference, saying “it wouldn’t be through injection” but “almost a cleaning, sterilization of an area.”

That clarification came after ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl asked Bryan about whether Trump had proposed injecting a person with “bleach and isopropyl alcohol.”

The manufacturer of Lysol on Friday morning issued a statement, warning people about injecting or ingesting its products.

“As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines. Please read the label and safety information,” the statement read. “We have a responsibility in providing consumers with access to accurate, up-to-date information as advised by leading public health experts. For this and other myth-busting facts, please visit Covid-19facts.com.”