Trump news: President claims 'Operation Warp Speed' will find coronavirus vaccine by end of year as Space Force makes White House debut

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Donald Trump has claimed that his administration would take "warp speed" action to develop a coronavirus vaccine for Americans by end of the year — despite experts warning that his timeline would take a "miracle" — during remarks at the White House on Friday, as nearly every state begins to "reopen" amid the public health crisis that has led to the deaths of more than 85,000 people.

Mr Trump's optimism — propelled by a flag unveiling for his beloved Space Force and the creation of a "super duper missile" — had ramped up by Friday afternoon as he claimed that his administration was "looking at" making a virus vaccine free.

The president also claimed the US economy would be "amazing" by the fourth quarter moments after reports revealed that retail sales have plummeted 16 per cent, following business closures across the US in the wake of the pandemic.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany meanwhile said that Barack Obama's administration left Mr Trump with a "thin packet" for a pandemic response when he left office more three years ago, though it was Mr Trump who dissolved the national security team responsible for responding to outbreaks.

She also called on the press to "investigate" the president's Obamagate conspiracy theory on Mr Trump's behalf after she was asked directly what crimes were committed by Mr Trump's predecessor.

When pressed, Ms McEnany mentioned one potential crime: The leaking of the identity of Michael Flynn, the president's former national security adviser, to reporters.

Mr Trump also applauded his “Keyboard Warriors” for promoting his conspiracy, to which Mr Obama himself responded (indirectly) with a one word tweet: “Vote”.

On Thursday, Mr Trump called on Senator Lindsay Graham to force the former president to testify at a Senate hearing, but the Republican senator denied his request, saying it would set a "bad precedent" and "open up a can of worms".

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