President Trump’s inaccurate statements about the coronavirus have created a confusing landscape for receiving valid information about COVID-19, according to Adam Laats, professor of education and history at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Laats says that Trump’s claims to know science better than the experts are dangerous and suggest that his conclusions are superior to scientific evidence. 

“Trump’s statements make for terrible science, but they are not anti-science,” says Laats. “An anti-science approach would dispute the validity of careful evidence, expert review and cautious claims. Trump does not dispute science; he only disrupts science and makes the communication of scientific information far more difficult. By standing athwart the scientific process and shouting ‘Look at me,’ Trump’s antics are far worse than if he were merely anti-science. As mainstream scientists and public-health experts do their best to communicate evidence-based information to the public, Trump is getting in their way. He is mixing good science with bad, diluting evidence-based facts with personal fantasies and magical thinking. Worst of all, Trump is claiming the ability to choose between and among scientific evidence and scientific experts to find the real truth."

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