Trump says the coronavirus is the Democrats' 'new hoax'

President Donald Trump said Friday that Democrats are using the virulent coronavirus as a "hoax" to damage him and his administration.

© Provided by CNBC US President Donald Trump speaks during a

"The Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus," he said from a campaign rally in North Charleston, South Carolina.

"One of my people came up to me and said 'Mr. President they tried to beat you on Russia, Russia, Russia. That didn't work out too well.' They couldn't do it. They tried the impeachment hoax that was on a perfect conversation," he continued.

"This is their new hoax," he said, referring to the coronavirus.

The coronavirus, which began in Wuhan, China, has now killed more than 2,800 people worldwide and infected more than 80,000. The latest reports from the World Health Organization show the pace of new cases in China slowing, but jumping in South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran.

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