President Trump said the government should consider taking an equity share in companies that need bailouts.
Speaking at the White House news conference on Thursday, Trump was asked if he supports the government taking equity stakes in companies during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I do. I really do,” he responded, prompting a flurry of follow-up questions from the reporters in the briefing room. When asked which companies would be under consideration, the president declined to name them.
“We will be helping the airline industry, we will be helping the cruise ship industry, we probably will be helping the hotel industry,” he said. “Where jobs are created, you don’t want to lose industries like this. These are incredible industries — you can’t lose them — so we’ll be focused on many industries.”
Trump added that the government would also be helping small businesses. Vice President Mike Pence additionally announced that more medical supplies are being quickly made available for states to assist with the coronavirus pandemic, including respirators and increased test kits.
As of Thursday morning, at least 10,201 people in the United States have tested positive for COVID-19, and 149 have died, according to the New York Times tracker.
