Coronavirus pandemic: Trump can't even play a president on TV. America, we're on our own. The best we could hope for was that Trump would stay out of the way. Instead he's center stage spreading hunches, distortions and faulty assumptions.

Peter Funt | Opinion contributor

Show Caption Hide Caption Is the U.S. prepared for a coronavirus pandemic? A previous version of this video incorrectly stated how many people the 1918 Spanish influenza killed.

President Donald Trump had a dramatic change in demeanor early this week regarding the coronavirus pandemic, much to the surprise of his critics and members of the White House press corps. He seemed calm, reasonable and properly presidential, and warned that the crisis could run to August or longer. He dismissed questions about the impact on Wall Street by correctly stating that the way to rescue the economy was to defeat the virus. He comforted the nation until, just as abruptly, he flipped again.

Trump is back to making a mockery of daily briefings and fostering confusion among Americans at a time when they are desperate for straight talk. As the nation struggles with an unpredictable pandemic it shouldn’t have to endure an unpredictable president.

Following Trump’s briefing Friday that included a bizarre outburst at NBC’s Peter Alexander, John King of CNN called the president’s words “bulls—t” and "reprehensible." Jonathan Karl from ABC said it was "outrageous to use the presidential bully pulpit to bully" Alexander.

New platform and total Trump control

Trump’s public posture is an elaborate contrivance, as we’ve known all along. The best the nation could hope for as the health crisis deepened was that Trump would stay out of the way — allowing capable experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci to handle critical communications, while the president practiced happy talk about “miracles.”

Trump summed up his priorities March 14 by proudly quoting his staff: “Sir, you just set a new record in the history of the stock market!” The next day, as Italy reported a gruesome spike in fatalities and U.S. governors moved to take drastic steps to control social interaction, Trump told the nation: “Relax. We’re doing great. It will all pass.” He seemed giddy over the Fed’s action on interest rates, saying, “I would think there are a lot of people on Wall Street who are very happy!”

Then, as things got worse and the stock market tumbled, Trump had to change course. He decided to become the face of daily White House briefings, shoving Vice President Mike Pence to the side. The calculation was clear: With the 2020 presidential campaign frozen in place — and with the presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, off the air and removed from view — Trump had a new platform that he alone could control. On that stage he would play the part of a true leader.

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For a few days it seemed to be working. Trump took questions for over an hour each day — in a briefing room that his administration had all but boarded up. He listened patiently as some reporters badgered him with what were, frankly, unreasonable questions such as, “How long will the crisis last?” and “When will schools reopen?” Moreover, he seemed willing to allow experts to have their say. An ABC News/Ipsos poll showed his approval rating on handling the crisis was rising.

Briefings as daily soap opera

But Trump couldn’t avoid being Trump. He took to calling COVID-19 “the Chinese virus.” He so intimidated his coronavirus team that each member was compelled to lavish praise on the president, with Pence so driven that he sounded like the warm-up act at a campaign rally.

The briefings have become a daily soap opera, with the president providing a dangerous mix of faulty assumptions, personal hunches and outright distortions.

On March 19, Trump enthused about drugs that could be repurposed to treat COVID-19. Medical experts immediately warned that data was sketchy and lengthy trials would be needed. But the following day Trump picked up where he left off, expressing his belief that a fast treatment could be at hand.

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That’s when reporter Peter Alexander spoke up and hell broke loose. Alexander wondered if Trump was trying too hard to put a “positive spin” on the situation. “What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?” Alexander asked. Trump’s reply: “I say that you’re a terrible reporter, that’s what I say. I think it’s a very nasty question.”

It got worse as Trump as defended himself and lambasted “Con-cast,” referring to Comcast, NBC’s parent.

The nation deserves better. Trump has a unique opportunity to at least play the part of a responsible leader even if it’s against his true nature. He could enhance his re-election prospects just by being humble and presidential.

Turns out he can’t do either. America, we’re on our own. All we can expect from the Trump administration is a growing infodemic.

Peter Funt is a writer and host of "Candid Camera."