REMEMBER. Trump first TRIED to downplay the idea that Covid-19 was the threat that others were claiming it to be. Look at the backlash he got from that.
I would agree with you there.
. . but we should not focus on Trump. It is important to remember Trump is, a businessman, and an actor. Both of these roles depend upon him being practiced at the art of deception. It matters not a whole lot as to who he represents himself to be.
We must discern the facts of what has happened, what is happening, and what is likely to happen, and ignore his public pronouncements, just like sane folks ignored Obama's antics and announcements.