President Trump on Thursday congratulated the success of the development of COVID-19 vaccines as a “Christmas miracle” that will end the deadly pandemic.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump threw a holiday message recorded from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where they spend their vacations.
Trump said the day marks “the greatest miracle in human history: more than 2,000 years ago God sent his only begotten son to be with us.”
“For Christmas, we thank God for sending us His Son to bring peace to our souls and joy to the world,” the President said.
The recently approved COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna will help bring life back to normal, Trump said.
“We are delivering millions of doses of a safe and effective vaccine that will soon end this terrible pandemic and save millions and millions of lives,” Trump said.
“We thank all the scientists, researchers, manufacturing workers and service members who have worked tirelessly to make this breakthrough possible. It’s truly a Christmas miracle.”
Since March, the virus has infected more than 18.5 million Americans and killed more than 327,000, causing significant economic, educational and social disruptions. Distribution of vaccine doses began this month after approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Trump made no direct reference to a fight in Washington for a $ 2.3 trillion COVID-19 relief and funding bill passed by both houses of Congress on Monday.
Trump said Tuesday that he opposes the bill on foreign aid bills and demanded that stimulus checks be increased from $ 600 to $ 2,000. If Trump does not sign the existing bill, it is estimated that 12 million people will lose their unemployment benefits the day after Christmas. The impasse could lead to a partial shutdown of the government next week.