Trump doubles down on Cuomo COVID response praise: ‘New York had fewer deaths!’

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (FLV) – Former President Donald Trump repeated attacks against Gov. Ron DeSantis and praise of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s COVID-19 response.

Specifically, Trump praised New York’s total death numbers in comparison to Florida’s.

“Under Ron DeSanctimonious as Governor, Florida was the third WORST State in Deaths by Covid. So why do they say that DeSanctus did a good job?” he said. “New York had fewer deaths! Also, he shut down the State, and even its beaches (unlike other Republican Governors).”

Trump said something similar earlier in May, arguing the Florida governor had a “very average” handling of the coronavirus pandemic and pointed to former Cuomo’s handling.

“How about the fact that he had the third most deaths of any State, as Governor, on the China Virus. Even Cuomo did better,” Trump said on TRUTH Social.

Cuomo reportedly oversaw his state’s health agency “misle[a]d the public” on nursing home deaths.

Florida has had around 88,288 deaths from COVID-19, higher than New York’s 77,536.

Trump’s comments, reflecting on totals, also did not include age-adjusted statistics.

Per 100,000 people, New York had 370 deaths per capita when adjusted for age in comparison to Florida’s 299.

Even when not adjusted for age, New York also had 391 deaths per capita to Florida’s 357.

The former president’s attacks come as the 2024 primary heats up between himself and DeSantis.

Both will be campaigning in Iowa this week.