Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE (D) accused President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE of using "racist" rhetoric to describe the outbreak of coronavirus on Wednesday in order to "distract" from his administration's response.

"The president is turning to racist rhetoric to distract from his failures to take the coronavirus seriously early on, make tests widely available, and adequately prepare the country for a period of crisis," she tweeted, adding: "Don't fall for it. Don't let your friends and family fall for it."

The president is turning to racist rhetoric to distract from his failures to take the coronavirus seriously early on, make tests widely available, and adequately prepare the country for a period of crisis.



Don't fall for it. Don't let your friends and family fall for it. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 18, 2020

ADVERTISEMENT

Democrats and some members of the media have slammed Trump and other Republicans for using the descriptors "Chinese" or "Wuhan" when referring to the virus in public statements and social media posts, saying it can stigmatize Chinese Americans and can lead to a rise in attacks agains them.

The virus, which is thought to have originated in China's Wuhan province, has infected more than 200,000 people worldwide and thousands in the U.S.

Trump on Wednesday again defended calling the coronavirus a “Chinese virus” during a White House press conference.

"It’s not racist at all,” Trump said. “It comes from China, that's why. I want to be accurate."

Trump also defended the use of the term "Chinese virus" on Tuesday, saying that “China was putting out information, which was false, that our military gave this to them.”

“That was false,” he said. “And rather than having an argument, I said I have to call it where it came from. It did come from China so I think it's a very accurate term.”

Trump was referring to a Chinese government spokesman promoting a conspiracy theory last week that the U.S. Army brought the coronavirus to the country.