The Daily Telegraph columnist Miranda Devine, now writing for News Corp's the New York Post, penned a column praising US President Donald Trump's bravery for not hiding from "the Chinese virus" in his basement.
The article received glowing praise from Trump, first in a now-removed tweet, where the US president posted Devine's email.
The tweet was removed by Twitter as Trump had shared Devine's email. He reposted a newly drafted version without the email, which is still up on the social media site.
US President Donald Trump's tweet about Miranda Devine that was removed by Twitter. Source: Twitter
Yashar Ali, an investigative journalist in the US prayed for Devine's work inbox.
Trump tweeted, “Thank you Miranda. Was over until the Plague came in from China. Will win anyway!”
Devine's decision to label the coronavirus "the Chinese virus" has not gone unnoticed. It's led to praise from Trump but also heavy criticism.
"Chinese virus is a racial slur. But we Asian Americans don't have the power nor the visibility to make the mainstream media nor Twitter address this virulent racism against us," doctor Eugene Gu said on Twitter.
Others pointed out the “deadly misinformation” in Trump’s tweets quoting Devine’s article, calling for Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to step in.
In her column, Devine criticised US presidential candidate Joe Biden’s “timid behaviour” saying the precautions he’s taken to follow public health guidelines “border on fetishistic” -- particularly his use of social distancing measures such as “masks at 20 paces”.
In contrast, Devine lauds Trump’s decision to keep running his re-election campaign, saying he’s adapted to the situation with outdoor rallies and “necessarily is in contact with thousands of people.” She says given its contagious nature, it wasn’t a surprise he tested positive for COVID-19.
She also says, “the virus is no longer a death sentence. Treatments have been found, the fatality rate has plummeted and vaccines are on the horizon.”
The statistics in the US tell a different story, according to data from the US Centre for Disease Control 209,199 people have died in the United States as a result of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. The US currently has over 2 million active cases.
Over the last seven days, the US has had a daily death average of 695 people per day. The country has had an average between 600 to 900 deaths a week since September.
Australians sharing their knowledge of Devine
Devine’s recent move from Australian shores to New York has prompted some Australians to offer a little bit of background on the sometimes controversial columnist.
“Americans: If you're wondering who Miranda Devine is, let us introduce you to one of our finest intellectual exports,” writer Benjamin Law tweeted.
Devine was recently sued for defamation by the family of Quaden Bayles, with the Indigenous boy and his mother awarded damages in a confidential settlement.
Devine apologised to Quaden and his mother after tweeting suggestions Quaden’s viral GoFundMe was all a scam and that Quaden was actually an adult actor.
"In February this year I posted some comments on my personal Twitter account about Quaden Bayles and his mother Yarraka. I now know those comments were hurtful and untrue. I sincerely apologise to the Bayles for those comments,” Devine wrote.
Justice Anna Katzmann said at the time, “the settlement sum is not insubstantial”, however, the specifics will remain confidential.
"We believe it is quite appropriate and we are very happy with that settlement," said Yarraka Bayles, Quaden’s mother.
