Trump, Biden finally bury hatchet to talk on coronavirus

WASHINGTON: Democrat Joe Biden and President Donald Trump finally spoke by phone Monday, both sides confirmed, ending days of teasing and squabbling between the presidential election rivals to discuss the national coronavirus upheaval. The call marked a rare moment of unity for the country seven months before election day and during a frightening health and economic crisis.

“We had a really wonderful warm conversation,” centered on the pandemic, Trump said at a regular briefing by his coronavirus task force. “He gave me his point of view and I fully understood that,” Trump said, adding they spoke for about 15 minutes. “I appreciate his calling. Biden´s communication director confirmed the two men had “a good call. Biden “shared several suggestions for actions” the administration can take “to address the ongoing coronavirus pandemic,” Kate Bedingfield said on Twitter.

He also “expressed his appreciation for the spirit of the American people in meeting the challenges facing the nation,” she added. The idea of a telephone call between Trump and Biden, who is self-isolating at home like much of the country, had been in the air for days.

Last week, Trump said he´d “love to speak with” Biden, adding, “I always found him to be a nice guy. On Thursday, Biden responded that he was “happy to hear he´ll take my call. But if Republican Trump sat all weekend by the phone, he was left disappointed — and by Monday morning the pair were back to trading barbs. “What ever happened to that phone call he told the Fake News he wanted to make to me?” Trump complained on Twitter.