Trump contradicts experts and blames Sun Belt coronavirus surge on protesters, young drinkers and Mexico

Donald Trump, who has consistently deflected blame for the coronavirus outbreak, on Wednesday evening pinned a surge of cases and deaths in America's Sun Belt states on protesters, Mexico and young bar patrons.

The president used his second revived coronavirus briefings in as many nights to again said he and his team have done a stellar job fighting the virus, despite months of harsh critiques from medical experts and Democratic lawmakers.

Mr Trump said he is comfortable sending his young son back to soon, as well as his grandchildren.

Asked if he plans to publish a national plans to help local officials get classrooms running this fall, Mr Trump put the onus on those officials and governors.

The president again said he wants the country's schools "100 per cent open" this fall, and contended his administration has data that school-age children do not contract the virus or pass it easily.

That flies in the face of what many health experts have said for months.

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