Scientific American Magazine Endorses Joe Biden, Criticizes Donald Trump’s Handling Of COVID-19

Scientific American magazine on Tuesday endorsed Democratic nominee Joe Biden, while criticizing President Donald Trump’s handling of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Scientific American has never endorsed a presidential candidate in its 175-year history. This year we are compelled to do so. We do not do this lightly,” editors of the magazine wrote in its October issue.

“The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people—because he rejects evidence and science,” the publication continued. “The most devastating example is his dishonest and inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cost more than 190,000 Americans their lives by the middle of September. He has also attacked environmental protections, medical care, and the researchers and public science agencies that help this country prepare for its greatest challenges.”

The editors said Biden “is offering fact-based plans to protect our health, our economy and the environment.”

The endorsement comes after Trump admitted to downplaying the virus in recordings released by journalist Bob Woodward.

“I wanted to, I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down, because I don’t want to create a panic,” Trump told Woodward in February.

Other members of the scientific community have also endorsed Biden. In April, over 80 scientists announced their support for Biden due to his plans to tackle climate change.

"We are confident that, unlike President Trump, Joe Biden will respect, collaborate with, and listen to leaders in the scientific community and public health experts to confront the existential climate crisis and other environmental threats," the scientists wrote in a letter. "Biden’s plan to address climate change leads with science and facts and pledges U.S. leadership on climate action.”

Trump has frequently denied the scientific consensus on climate change. In June 2017, Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation.