KEY POINTS The Republican National Committee is putting $1 million into digital ads

The ads will push back on the idea that Trump responded slowly to outbreak

Both parties realize controlling coronavirus response narrative will be crucial

In an effort to push back on criticism of how President Donald Trump has handled the coronavirus pandemic, Republicans plan to spend $1 million in online advertisements. Those ads will reportedly paint Trump in a positive light, praising his response to the current crisis.

The ads are being funded by the Republican National Council (RNC), according to The Hill. They will focus on arguing against the idea that presumed Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden would have been a more effective leader during the coronavirus outbreak.

The RNC’s ads will include soundbites from California Gov. Gavin Newson and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both Democrats, in which they praise Trump for his response to the crisis.

As the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic is likely set to be the central issue of the coming presidential election, RNC leadership is well aware that it’s important to gain control of the narrative now.

“The American people have seen President Trump respond to this crisis with unprecedented leadership, and they will respond with their votes in November,” RNC chief of staff Richard Walters said.

Democrats have clearly realized this as well. Priorities USA, a super PAC, has spent $6 million so far on advertising in a handful of swing states in which they blast Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, echoing criticisms that his administration failed to act in a timely manner to curb the outbreak.

In recent weeks, Trump has responded to these criticisms by stating both that his administration did indeed act early as well as that the outbreak took him by surprise.

Evidence emerged that officials in the White House were aware of the dangers posed by the disease in late November, if not earlier. It recently came to light that a military intelligence report had circulated around various high level departments including the White House last year; it was also reportedly included in a briefing presented to Trump in early January.

For Republicans, it is becoming increasingly clear that the ability of the president to take a more assertive role in the federal government’s handling of the pandemic – and making sure Americans view that role positively – could make or break Trump’s hopes of a second term.