Trump defends saying Chinese virus as anti-Asian fears rise

President Donald Trump publicly defends using the phrase "Chinese virus" on March 18, 2020, during the early COVID-19 pandemic. He says the wording is accurate because the virus came from China. Asian American leaders and civil rights groups warn that the phrase fuels stigma, harassment, and violence against Asian communities. Reports of anti-Asian incidents rise during the pandemic, leading to later federal hate-crimes legislation. Presidential rhetoric racializes a public-health crisis and becomes part of a broader pattern of anti-Asian scapegoating during COVID-19.