LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Gov. Steve Sisolak responded to a quote-tweet from President Donald Trump on Tuesday calling the election results in Nevada "fake" and claiming, without providing evidence, that a Nevada hospital's alternate care site is also “fake."
"His consistent misleading rhetoric on COVID-19 is dangerous and reckless," said the governor.
In the tweet, Trump writes, "Fake election results in Nevada, also!" while retweeting Network in Vegas, which presents itself as a travel website and frequently posts anti-Sisolak content.
"Here is the fake Nevada parking garage hospital picture that our moron governor tweeted, proving it’s all a scam," writes Network in Vegas.
In actuality, the picture they use was posted Dr. Jacob Keeperman on Sunday and reshared by the governor a day later as he thanked doctors, nurses and other first responders for their work.
"With 5 deaths in the last 32 hours, everyone is struggling to keep their head-up. Stay strong," said Dr. Keeperman in the original tweet, pictured below.
13 Action News talked to Dr. Keeperman, who said Renown Hospital has already had an overflow of COVID-19 patients and they’ve moved some into a make-shift care site in its parking garage.
In his statement Tuesday, Gov. Sisolak said in part, "I call on all leaders throughout Nevada - regardless of political affiliation - to join me in condemning the President's attacks on the integrity of our healthcare workers."
Congresswoman Dina Titus called medical workers in the state heroes in a Tweet sent on Tuesday.
Nevada's health care workers are heroes. https://t.co/6LXdIduqKi
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) December 1, 2020
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford wrote that he was condemning President Trump's comments and said all Nevadans are suffering from the recent COVID spikes.
I join @GovSisolak in condemning this damaging, ignorant attack.
— Aaron D. Ford (@AaronDFordNV) December 1, 2020
Nevadans from Douglas County to Downtown Las Vegas, from Pleasant Valley to Primm, and from Washoe to Winchester are suffering from COVID spikes.
Stop downplaying it. Help our healthcare workers instead! For once. https://t.co/qFfdTNT5gD
Senator Jacky Rosen wrote that "We owe a debt of gratitude to our frontline workers in Nevada."
Thank you, @GovSisolak.
— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) December 1, 2020
We owe a debt of gratitude to our frontline workers in Nevada.
They’ve gone above and beyond to protect our health during this pandemic.
I stand with them in the face of this irresponsible attack by the President. https://t.co/dsWsQ0DilX
Representative Susie Lee wrote that the state's healthcare workers need everyone's complete appreciation.
Nevada’s frontline health workers are laying their lives on the line for our collective health. They deserve our complete appreciation and unwavering support, not conspiratorial cheap shots from the President. I stand with our workers. https://t.co/gpchpwsKZa
— Rep. Susie Lee (@RepSusieLee) December 1, 2020
Gov. Sisolak's full statement is below:
For nearly nine months, the State of Nevada has not only had to battle this pandemic, we have had to fight the President's nonstop attempts to politicize a virus that has led to over 260,000 American deaths.
His consistent misleading rhetoric on COVID-19 is dangerous and reckless, and today's implication that Renown's alternate care site is a "fake hospital" is among the worst examples we've seen. It is unconscionable for him to continue to spread lies and sow distrust at a time when all Americans should be united during this historic public health crisis. Enough is enough.
Nevada’s healthcare professionals continue to work around the clock to provide life-saving care to Nevadans during this pandemic, including standing up an alternate care site in a parking garage to ensure access to medical care for all those who need it.
Renown Hospital has served as a pillar of strength for the Northern Nevada community throughout this pandemic, and especially during this current surge. Every day, their health care workers mask up, go to work, and care for Nevadans most in need. They too live with the fear of becoming infected and bringing this virus back home to their families, yet they have sat at bedsides holding the hands of patients so they wouldn't have to be alone. They aren't liars, as the President implied -- they are heroes.
I call on all leaders throughout Nevada - regardless of political affiliation - to join me in condemning the President's attacks on the integrity of our healthcare workers.
