Extra Extra: Obama Calls Trump's Pandemic Response An "Absolute Chaotic Disaster"

Jen Carlson

Published May 9, 2020

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Under the Queensboro Bridge

Scott Lynch / Gothamist

Jen Carlson

Published May 9, 2020

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In a call with former White House staffers, President Barack Obama called President Donald Trump's handling of the pandemic an "absolute chaotic disaster."
There's a Trump Death Clock in Times Square now, and online.
A lot of secret service agents have now tested positive for COVID-19.
Rock n' roll pioneer Little Richard has died at the age of 87 from bone cancer, reports Rolling Stone. Following the news, Steven Van Zandt tweeted: “The man who invented Rock and Roll. Elvis popularized it. Chuck Berry was the storyteller. Richard was the archetype.”
"The disrespect runs deep; he got none in 1957, he still gets none in 1972 when he has to inform a BBC personality that he gave The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix their early breaks—and he knows he has to address the whole thing with a light touch... A delicate dance he was never allowed to stop doing." Here's a good read on Little Richard from Dave Holmes.
In other sad news: Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records, has died at 59, the cause is not being reported at this time. And Roy Horn, half of the famed duo Siegried & Roy, died in Las Vegas at age 75, due to complications from COVID-19.
Someone has placed tiny social distancing signs around Brooklyn, for the squirrels. Here's a 5-minute video from the creator, which also features other mini signs, not for squirrels.
Alison Roman, who made #TheStew, took a shot at hardworking, passionate women who have built successful businesses — Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo — during an interview, calling them sell-outs. In her response on Twitter, Teigen wrote: "I didn't 'sell out' by making my dreams come true." Hear hear.
"In quarantine... we’re all destined to annoy those we love."
Some NYC movie houses are offering at-home options: Alamo has on-demand titles, and Nitehawk has an online screening of Spaceship Earth, with a Q&A, happening on Sunday — here's how they'll recreate their in-house experience.
ICYMI: We'd love to see photos from your walks, here's how to submit them.
Play us out, Little Richard:

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Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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