Ahead of the Trump campaign’s fundraiser in Lake Keowee, South Carolina today, Democratic National Committee spokesperson John Weber released the following statement:

“South Carolinians don’t need the Trumps parachuting in for a high-d0llar fundraiser. They need tests, personal protective equipment, and a president with the capacity to lead. But nearly seven months after Donald Trump promised that the virus was ‘totally under control,’ the pandemic is still getting worse every day. South Carolina can’t afford four more years of his incompetence and broken promises.”

BACKGROUND ON TRUMP’S FAILED PANDEMIC RESPONSE

Promise: “We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China. We have it under control. It’s going to be just fine.” [CNBC Interview, 1/22/20]

• Reality: After Trump wasted time ignoring his own advisors and downplaying the coronavirus pandemic, the United States leads the world with over 5.1 million cases and more than 164,000 deaths. South Carolina alone has faced more than 100,000 cases and over 2,000 deaths.

Promise: “We are marshalling the full power of the federal government and the private sector to protect the American people.” [Oval Office Address, 3/11/20]

• Reality: Even in the midst of a global pandemic, Trump and the Republican Party are attempting to overturn the Affordable Care Act — endangering health coverage for 242,000 South Carolinians and threatening protections for nearly 2 million South Carolinians with preexisting conditions.

• Reality: Even as experts warned of a coming pandemic, Trump sent record shipments of N95 masks overseas. Months later, Trump has still failed to provide states with adequate testing and PPE, as South Carolinians are forced to wait weeks for test results.