Trump says he prefers Grand Princess passengers stay aboard so U.S. case numbers don't rise

Speaking at the CDC, Trump said he would rather leave passengers of the coronavirus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship aboard rather than let them disembark on U.S. soil, stating he liked "the numbers being where they are" and did not want them to "double because of one ship." At the time, 21 of 46 people tested aboard had tested positive and more than 3,500 people were on the ship. Critics and public-health reporting characterized the remark as prioritizing the political optics of low case counts over the medical needs of those aboard. Trump deferred the ultimate decision to Vice President Pence, and passengers were later brought to a non-commercial port.

"I like the numbers being where they are. I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship." Quote verified against source