Trump says he wants governors to be 'appreciative' of federal response

WASHINGTON (Sinclair Broadcast Group) — The White House coronavirus task force was scheduled to hold its daily briefing late Friday afternoon, soon after President Donald Trump signed the largest emergency stimulus bill in U.S. history.

White House officials were set to update the nation on the response to the growing crisis as total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surpassed 100,000 and infections worldwide topped 585,000.

"We have done a hell of a job," Trump told reporters Friday.

Major cities across the country have warned they could face overwhelming outbreaks in the weeks ahead as more state and local officials ordered residents to stay at home to prevent the virus from spreading. Governors in several states are pressing the federal government to do more to get supplies to hospitals that are quickly running out of beds, ventilators, and masks.

Trump complained during Friday's briefing that some governors are not sufficiently appreciative of the White House's assistance, saying he told Vice President Mike Pence not to return calls from the governors of Michigan and Wisconsin. As coronavirus cases flare up in Detroit, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been vocal in recent days calling for the administration to provide more resources.

"I say, 'Mike, Don't call the governor of Washington. You're wasting your time. Don't call the woman in Michigan.' ... If they don't treat you right, I don't call." Trump said.

In response to Trump' s comments, Whitmer called for unity to fight the coronavirus despite personal differences. On Twitter later Friday night, Trump called her "Gretchen 'Half' Whitmer" and claimed she was trying to blame him for her ineptitude.

In a letter to governors Thursday, Trump said he was preparing to issue new guidelines easing social distancing recommendations as he seeks to "reopen" the country by Easter. He said Friday he will decide Monday on the new guidance, but some parts of the country may need more time than others.

President Trump indicated Friday he had invoked the Defense Production Act to order General Motors to produce ventilators, though the legal effect of that order was unclear. He said during the signing ceremony for the stimulus bill that "full activation" of the DPA might not be necessary.

Trump claimed at the briefing that the U.S. would be producing 100,00 ventilators in the next 100 days. Pressed by one reporter about whether there would be enough ventilators for everybody who needs one, he responded, "Don't be a cutie-pie."