Here are his full comments. Emphasis is mine.
"I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, that I disagree strongly with his decision to open certain facilities which are in violation of the Phase One guidelines for the incredible people of Georgia – they’re incredible people, I love those people. They are – they’re great. They have been strong, resolute, but at the same time, he must do what he thinks is right. I want him to do what he thinks is right, but I disagree with him on what he is doing."
“But I want to let the governors do – now, if I see something totally egregious, totally out of line, I’ll do. But I think spas and beauty salons and tattoo parlors and barbershops in Phase 1 – we are going to have Phase 2 very soon – it’s just too soon. I think it’s too soon and I love the people. I love – I love those people that use all of those things: the spas, and the beauty parlors and barbershops, tattoo parlors, I love them.”
“But they can wait a little bit longer, just a little bit – not much, because safety has to predominate. We have to have that. So I told the governor very simply that I disagree with his decision, but he has to do what he thinks is right.”
So, the emphasis here is on Phase One of the Trump Administration plan to re-open. What does Phase One include and require?
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Guidelines-for-Opening-Up-America-Again.pdf
In order to even begin to think about entering the process of Phased Openings, the following criteria must be met. Georgia, mind you, has NOT yet met the Trump Administrations OWN criteria for beginning this process.
They do NOT have a 14 day downward trajectory of either ILI or COVID-19 cases in the last 14-day period. They do NOT have a downward trajectory of documented cases or of increased testing in the past 14-days. They also do NOT have a robust testing program in place.
Seems to me, based on Trump’s own recommendation from his administration, Georgia is not following any of the recommended guidelines for opening. And Trump emphasized this when he focused on the Phase One process comments. The entirety of Georgia’s plan to re-open was shot down by Trump, as it should have been. And also by Fauci as well. As it should have been.
Unless you want us to believe Trump is encouraging the States to ignore his own recommendations? Is that what you think is happening here?
