New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo starts his daily briefings at roughly 11:30 a.m. He gives an update on new coronavirus cases in the state and uses slides to present new facts and advice to the people. President Donald Trump airs his briefings later in the day, and they often include appearances from Vice President Mike Pence and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. These briefings have been criticized for a multitude of reasons, and they seem to have done little to quell the confusion and panic of the public. 

In the wake of coronavirus and sweeping measures to flatten the curve, Gov. Cuomo has been praised for his swift, no-nonsense initiative. Cuomo’s leadership and willingness to rise to the occasion is a stark contrast to Trump’s laid-back approach and has revealed flaws in Trump’s authority during this time of crisis. 

President Trump’s briefings are riddled with false information, squabbles with the press, evasion of blame and an overall lack of control. Despite his grandeur personality and strong opinions, Trump is unable to provide the assurance that the public needs. 

During one of his briefings, a reporter asked the president what he had to say to Americans who are scared. His response: “I say you are a terrible reporter, that’s what I say. I think it’s a very nasty question.” Trump was handed a prime opportunity to display his leadership and authority. Instead, he attacked the reporter for seemingly no reason. 

Gov. Cuomo, in contrast, has appealed to the public by sharing his own personal concerns and thoughts, something that he rarely does.

During his daily briefings, he connects with the public by sharing anecdotes about his daughters, concerns about his 88-year-old mother and displaying an empathetic, compassionate demeanor. “Gov. Andrew Cuomo is modeling crisis leadership right now,” one user wrote on Twitter. “He is clear the responsibility lies with him and that there is a plan, that there will be pain but we must all share in it.” 

Gov. Cuomo is taking the burden of responsibility seriously and is not afraid of the backlash his decisions might receive. When asked about the shortage of ventilators, Trump famously said, “I don’t take responsibility at all,” whereas Cuomo has announced time and time again that he takes full responsibility for any and all of the state’s actions.
Known to be abrasive and at times bully-like, Cuomo’s no-nonsense attitude has enabled him to challenge President Trump and succeed. He does not take no for an answer, and because of that he received 4,000 ventilators and is in the process of building temporary hospitals at four facilities with the help of the Army Corps of Engineers. President Trump has conceded on many talking points with Cuomo, and it is clear Cuomo is calling the shots in this dynamic.

This is not to say Cuomo is without faults. He recently delayed a historic bail reform to focus all efforts on coronavirus response, which received heavy criticism. But his leadership at this time is undeniable, and people all over the country are looking to him for advice. 

On March 26, Business Insider published the results of a poll that asked, “When it comes to the official advice regarding coronavirus, please rate how much you trust the following messengers on a scale of 1 to 5” (1 being least trustworthy, 5 being most trustworthy). Gov. Cuomo was rated a 3.29, second only to Dr. Fauci. President Trump, in contrast, received a score of 2.56, placing him second to last on the list. 

If people don’t even trust the president’s advice, how are they supposed to trust his leadership and decisions? While Trump dodges blame and downplays the severity of the crisis, Cuomo arrives at his briefings every day with honest answers and blunt facts. Trump seems hesitant to admit the severity of COVID-19, perhaps as a way to keep the people from panicking. But his lax attitude is having the opposite effect and only results in more confusion. Cuomo is not afraid of the blame or criticism, and his strong personality has allowed him to assume the responsibility that should be put on a national leader.

As Democratic operative Lis Smith said of Cuomo, “It turns out that his signature traits — having a forceful personality, putting results and competence before ideology — are exactly what’s needed for handling a global pandemic.” Perhaps Trump can learn a thing or two from Cuomo. 

Allison Lecce, FCRH ’22, is an international studies major and journalism minor from Westchester, N.Y.