Tragically, the United States has the world’s highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and fatalities. Compounding matters is the impending presidential election in November, putting Trump’s leadership of the crisis under intense pressure and scrutiny, set against a background of deep division between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats attack Trump as “weak”, while Trump and his supporters point to China, the World Health Organization and state governments as bearing responsibility. Who is winning the politics of the pandemic in the United States, how, and what are the consequences for the upcoming presidential election?

To discuss these issues, USSC hosted a webinar discussion featuring Cameron Stewart, Washington Correspondent for The Australian, in a conversation moderated by USSC CEO Simon Jackman. Mr Stewart picked up the issues addressed in his article from 20 April, “Coronavirus: Donald Trump attacked as US deaths pass 40,000” and talked about what’s next as the issue plays out.

Cameron Stewart is an Associate Editor and Washington Correspondent for The Australian. This is his eighth US presidential election since he started with the paper and he is working in Washington DC during this pandemic. His investigative reporting covers foreign affairs, defence and national security and he also writes features for the Weekend Australian Magazine and is a regular contributor for Sky News.