Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
VP Pence to keep up travel amid COVID-19 outbreak in his circle
Vice President Mike Pence will continue his campaign travel as an "essential" worker after his chief of staff, Marc Short, and other aides tested positive for the coronavirus, his office said. Published October 25, 2020
Trump on virus: ‘I had it, here I am’
President Trump told Wisconsin supporters on Saturday he brought back Big Ten football and that COVID-19 tallies are overblown, even as the state reels from one of the biggest coronavirus surges in the nation. Published October 24, 2020
Trump sees ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ as virus spikes
President Trump on Friday said the U.S. is "rounding the corner" on the coronavirus even as the nation recorded the second-most amount of cases since the start of the pandemic and hospital stays increased by 40% compared to a month ago. Published October 23, 2020
Biden: Red and blue states are going to go bankrupt without fed money
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden late Thursday said localities across the country, regardless of political persuasion, will start laying off public servants and scaling back services unless Congress acts to provide federal support. Published October 22, 2020
Trump defends Kim Jong Un talks: No North Korea war
President Trump said Thursday he doesn't view North Korea's unveiling of a new intercontinental ballistic missile as a betrayal of his unconventional negotiations with dictator Kim Jong-un. Published October 22, 2020
Trump at debate says U.S. learning to live with coronavirus
President Trump said Thursday said the coronavirus "will soon be gone" but the nation can persevere through a potential next wave of the coronavirus, citing a forthcoming vaccine and declining case-fatality rate. Published October 22, 2020
Moderna completes enrollment for COVID-19 vaccine trial
Moderna's coronavirus vaccine trial is fully enrolled, with people of color making up more than one-third of the 30,000 participants, the drugmaker announced Thursday, as government scientists said they must build trust with communities of color and other Americans who will be expected to roll up their sleeves in the coming months. Published October 22, 2020
Biden, Trump battle over North Carolina
President Trump and the Biden campaign grappled for a foothold in North Carolina on Wednesday, sensing the route to the White House will run through the mountains, piedmont and coastal plains of a state with 15 electoral votes. Published October 21, 2020
Trump lashes out at Gov. Roy Cooper, media at North Carolina rally
President Trump took a swing at Gov. Roy Cooper, the media and Senate Democrats as he campaigned in North Carolina on Wednesday, marking his sixth visit to the pivotal state since the GOP convention in Charlotte in late August. Published October 21, 2020
CDC: U.S. faces ‘critical phase’ in coronavirus fight, as 75% of states see uptick
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday the coronavirus battle is reaching a "critical phase," as reported infections rise in three-quarters of the country. Published October 21, 2020
Kamala Harris to NC supporters: You will decide this race
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris heaped pressure on North Carolina voters Wednesday, telling supporters in Asheville they will decide the presidential race and the direction of the nation. Published October 21, 2020
Coronavirus vaccine undercut by Trump, Democrats ahead of its arrival
A vaccine won't stamp out the coronavirus unless a whole lot of people take it. But the effort is running into a wall of skepticism before any shots are approved. Published October 20, 2020
‘COVID fatigue’ increases risk for new coronavirus wave
Everything old is new again in the global battle against the coronavirus, with cases surging in Europe and the U.S. inching toward another devastating wave. Published October 19, 2020
Trump adopts ultimate outsider role in Tucson: ‘I’m not a politician’
President Trump on Monday cast himself as the ultimate outsider as he seeks another four years in Washington, saying he's running not just against Joseph R. Biden but the media and Big Tech, too. Published October 19, 2020
Trump says Americans are ‘tired of hearing’ from Dr. Fauci
President Trump said Monday that Americans are tired of hearing from Dr. Anthony Fauci and "all these idiots" about COVID-19, and he'd consider firing the health adviser except for the media backlash it would cause. Published October 19, 2020
Pfizer CEO: We can’t pursue COVID-19 vaccine approval until late November
Pfizer said Friday it will not be able to apply for emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine until the third week of November, making it all but impossible for President Trump to trumpet a breakthrough before Election Day. Published October 16, 2020
Donald Trump rushes plan to send seniors $200 discount cards, slash drug prices
President Trump is racing to slash drug prices in the waning weeks of the campaign, finalizing a plan to let states import medicines from Canada and directly appealing to senior voters with $200 discount cards to help them defray their out-of-pocket costs. Published October 16, 2020
Trump swipes at ‘nice guy’ Fauci: ‘He’s a Democrat’
President Trump attacked Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Thursday rally in North Carolina, dubbing him a "Democrat" and resurrecting comments in which the doctor said masks weren't necessary earlier in the pandemic. Published October 15, 2020
Trump campaign turns focus to virus-stricken Midwest
President Trump is campaigning hard in the Midwest, hoping states such as Iowa and Wisconsin will help him cobble together the electoral votes he needs to win a second term. It's also where the coronavirus is surging, underscoring how difficult it will be for him to get away from the pandemic's shadow. Published October 14, 2020
Trump whips up Iowa crowd with Hunter Biden story
President Trump complained Wednesday that social media companies are trying to "protect" Joseph R. Biden and fumed over reports that Twitter locked the account of his press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, for sharing an unflattering story about the Democratic nominee. Published October 14, 2020
