On Thursday, “Lost” actor Daniel Dae Kim, who is Asian American, lashed out at President Donald Trump for referring to the China-originated novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, as the “Chinese virus.”
“Yes, Im Asian. And yes, I have coronavirus,” Kim said during a lengthy Instagram video announcing his positive COVID-19 test. “But I did not get it from China, I got in America, in New York City.”
Taking a shot at the president, Kim added: “And despite what certain political leaders want to call it, I don’t consider the place where it’s from as important as the people who are sick and dying. If I did, I would call this thing the New York virus, but that would be silly, right?”
Trump has repeatedly emphasized the Chinese origins of COVID-19, specifically calling it the “Chinese virus,” soon after China’s communist regime attempted to pin the virus on the United States, falsely propagating the lie that U.S. Military first brought the virus to Wuhan, China.
For the people that are now out of work because of the important and necessary containment policies, for instance the shutting down of hotels, bars and restaurants, money will soon be coming to you. The onslaught of the Chinese Virus is not your fault! Will be stronger than ever!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2020
For example, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian tweeted the unsubstantiated claim last week, and the post was shared and retweeted by other Chinese diplomats.
“CDC was caught on the spot,” wrote Lijian. “When did patient zero begin in U.S.? How many people are infected? What are the names of the hospitals? It might be U.S. army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! U.S. owe us an explanation!”
2/2 CDC was caught on the spot. When did patient zero begin in US? How many people are infected? What are the names of the hospitals? It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation! pic.twitter.com/vYNZRFPWo3
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) March 12, 2020
However, the virus originated in China, a USA Today fact-check detailed: “The consensus among researchers studying the spread of the virus pinpoints COVID-19’s likely origin to a ‘wet market,’ or live animal market, in Wuhan, China,” the report said. “Though experts have not ruled out the possibility that the pathogen could have been brought to the market by an already infected person, there is no evidence to suggest COVID-19 originated outside the country.”
The strategic anti-American misinformation campaign was addressed by Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo on Monday, when he warned his Chinese counterpart that the regime needs to stop lying and pushing “outlandish rumors” about the United States.
As highlighted by The Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra, China’s actions have unleashed the virus on the world: “China knew about the virus in November; reportedly hid the extent of the outbreak from the rest of the world; allegedly silenced critics, doctors, and journalists who sounded the alarm; failed to contain the virus within its own borders; and has falsely suggested that the U.S. military may be behind the virus.”
In his Instagram post, Kim added that it’s unacceptable for Asian Americans to be targeted for hate and harassment over the coronavirus outbreak, a point the president has emphasized, as well.
“Please, please stop the prejudice and senseless violence against Asian people. Randomly beating elderly, sometimes homeless, Asian-Americans, is cowardly, heartbreaking, it’s inexcusable,” the “Hawaii Five-0” actor said.
“I have great love for all of the people from our country,” Trump said Wednesday during as press conference. “But as you know, China tried to say, at one point — maybe they stopped now — that it was caused by American soldiers. That can’t happen. That’s not going to happen. Not as long as I’m president.”
In tweets posted March 15, Kim similarly said the “political climate” has allowed racial demonization.
“People have been asking me why I’ve been silent in the face of the blatant acts of racism against Asian people during this outbreak. The truth is there have been so many it’s been too heartbreaking to comment on all of them,” he wrote, adding, “It should go without saying how abhorrent and subhuman this behavior is. Unfortunately in this political climate, it still requires mentioning.”
“And though we keep doing our best to demonize each other, the #coronavirus doesn’t care what race, gender, religion or sexuality we are,” said Kim. “Ironically, it knows better than we do a lesson I wish we could all learn, once and for all: that we are all human. We are all one.”
People have been asking me why I’ve been silent in the face of the blatant acts of racism against Asian people during this outbreak. The truth is there have been so many it’s been too heartbreaking to comment on all of them.
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) March 15, 2020
And though we keep doing our best to demonize each other, the #coronavirus doesn’t care what race, gender, religion or sexuality we are. Ironically, it knows better than we do a lesson I wish we could all learn, once and for all: that we are all human. We are all one.
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) March 15, 2020
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