first up here on msnbc, back to the beach with caution. whether authorities can keep areas from becoming too crowded. we wear a face mask when we go in stores and stuff. here on the beach i feel we're pretty good at staying away from people. >> i guess it is the new norm now. >> the president announces houses of worship are essential and tells governors to open them up. why not every congress indication is ready to open its doors. joe biden backtracks his comments about black voters. plus, police say he is more than just a witness. why another man is under arrest in the death of ahmaud arbery.

a very good morning to all of you. welcome to everyone. it is saturday, may 23rd. i'm alex witt. a live look at the kennedy space center in florida where a spacex spacecraft sits on the launch pad. a test flight carrying two astronauts is scheduled for wednesday. that's exciting. let's get to the facts of this hour. new york epicenter in the u.s. relaxing rules slightly. governor andrew cuomo issuing an updated order allowing gatherings up to 10 people anywhere in the state. and that includes right here in new york city, the hardest hit area of the state. president trump friday calling for the immediate reopening of places of worship deeming them essential. the president threatening to override governors who refuse to open churches, synagogues and phafpbgs but d-- masks but did see what legal authority he has to do that. and epidemic rates across the

u.s., especially the south and midwest. the risk of a second wave in places opening too quickly or without sufficient precaution. a significant milestone in chicago for the first time since the pandemic began in january. mainland china reported zero new cases and zero coronavirus deaths on friday.

>> the major transmission source is airborne. it takes you back to wearing a mask. wear a mask. >> the white house says the metro areas with the highest rates of confirmed cases right now are washington, d.c., baltimore, chicago, and minneapolis. >> there is still significant virus circulating here. >> new york city continues to drop. but authorities here are urging people not to take mass transit this holiday weekend. visitors to coney island are allowed to walk on the beach but no swimming is allowed. many beaches are operating at half capacity. from florida to virginia to california. many beachgoers will enjoy their first sun-soaked days in months. with that freedom comes caution.

>> we would like people to be respectful for the rules and regulations for not only themselves but the entire community. >> the cdc estimates 35% of people with covid-19 don't have symptoms. and 40% of transmissions have it happen before people are even sick. >> you are not wearing a mask. for 99% survival rate. >> reporter: even so, there are passionate confrontations erupting over wearing masks. >> i have a doctor's note that i don't have to wear one. i'll show you. >> reporter: alaska is going even further, allowing all businesses to operate without capacity restrictions. >> we want to make sure the community is completely safe and not put people at risk. >> dine-in restaurants in kentucky with disposable menus and eye ten tills at a third capacity. >> three, two, one!

>> reporter: the countdown is over in northern michigan where some bars opened at midnight and customers wasted no time. >> hopefully everyone is, you know, it stays where it is. >> reporter: nationwide, a patchwork of precautions for the unofficial start of summer. gabe gutierrez, nbc news, new york. >> clearly this is the theme of the weekend. let's go to new jersey where the beaches are open. nbc's mara is in sea isle city. one thing that might be a bit of a damper literally is the weather this weekend. what about the expectations? >> reporter: yeah, alex. the thunderstorms have officially started here this weekend. but this weekend along the jersey shore for memorial day is not the best weather. one of the biggest draws the jersey shore has is it's within driving distance of new york

city, philadelphia, washington, d.c. this weekend philadelphia officials specifically were telling residents not to go to the beach because they just see it as a further way to spread the virus even though places in sea isle city are putting in restrictions, signs encouraging people to social distance. the boardwalk just absolutely packed, alex. that's what they are hoping to deter against. that there aren't as many crowds coming in this early in the season. jersey has been one of the hot spots with covid-19. they are looking to ease into the summer restrictions. you saw some of the statistics earlier. it is a catch-22 with officials and businesses here. because brookings institute

review found the jersey shore cities, atlantic city, and the communities will be some of the top 10 hardest hit across the country when it comes to jobs, small businesses and overall community when it comes to looking forward to making sure they can dig their way out financially. a lot of businesses telling me yesterday they are encouraging people to wear masks. they're doing takeout, delivery and things the restaurants didn't used to do. this weekend we might see less of a problem and the traffic was a lot lighter than we typically see for a holiday weekend. >> hey, keep your amateur meteorologist hat on. it sounds like it's pouring behind you. >> reporter: it is absolutely pouring. there's thunder. there's lightning. it just started within the last hour. sunday and monday will be cloudy and not as warm. not fun beach weather. i grew up in the area. we are used to coming to the

shore when it's 65 and cloudy when you just want to get away. . >> that is a nice view behind you, the waterway and boats. it is better than sitting in a concrete jungle for many. thank you. we'll talk with you again. joining me now, dr. holly phillips, internist in private practice. good to see you both back here on a saturday morning. thanks for joining me. dr. phillips, whether or not we're standing, a lot of people will be hitting the beach for memorial day weekend. how can they do it safely? we saw a lot of people sitting on it in the sun and they were not wearing masks. do you think that should be implemented? >> right. well, so we do know the risk of infection is thought to be lower outside than inside. we know that viral particles can linger for less time in the outdoors rather than a confined setting and lower concentration than inside. but we have to not lose sight of the fact that the virus can

still spread. so we need to continue to practice those basics of social distancing. number one, stay home. if you're sick or if you're vulnerable. if you have underlying conditions, if you're elderly, if for any reasons coronavirus might be particularly severe for you. wearing a mask is important. if you are going to be within closer than six feet, which ideally you won't be with groups of strangers wearing a mask would be important at that time. also, we have to remember the larger the group you're in, the greater the risk. so if you happen to get to a beach or any location that's crowded, that's not where you want to be. lastly, the longer you're in that place, the greater your risk as well. so you might want to impose somewhat of a time limit. if you are going to be there, focus on half an hour, an hour rather than all day. . >> rather than parking it there on the sand.

dr. dalia, there's been outdoors, there's the sunlight, the wind. i know we saw some people on the bike paths which reopened on the beaches in california this weekend. how does all of that, the movement, the wind, the sun, how does that affect the spread of the virus? >> like you just heard, this virus doesn't spread as well outdoors. it is fragile in the environment. if there is uv radiation contained in sunlight, if it is hotter, more tkaouphumid, it do spread human to human. it is close contact with individuals. that's what we are worried about. that's why we see seasonality in the summer because of all of this natural social distancing and environmental factors. it doesn't mean we won't get any transmission, just that the risk will be lower. we have a lot of people that are

susceptible. you can still get this if you're in close contact with each other. not with these other activities where you are disbursed and naturally socially distanced. >> that that video we just saw, we saw an elderly gentleman walking on the beach. there is particular discussion for the elderly being cooped up at home versus getting outside and getting a little bit of exercise. yes, the elderly are in that risky population. but what's your advice? >> you can still go outside and still enjoy the outdoors. you have to be much more mindful about your contacts and maintain social distance if you're trying to avoid infection. there are benefits to going outside. there are ways to do it in a safe manner as we move forward. >> just do it safely. let's switch gears and talk about deeming houses of worship being essential.

let's listen to dr. birx at the press conference yesterday. >> a lot of people out there with covid look health. >> places of won ship being essential and reopening, what guidelines do you have for pastors, rabbis, monks, reopening. >> there is a way for us to work together to have social distancing and safety for people so that we decrease the amount of exposure anyone would have to an asymptomatic. and i know all of you and all of americans, if they didn't feel well, they wouldn't go to church that day. >> dr. phillips, what do you make of that? we have seen churches can become hot spots. how risky to open them, especially as the doctor pointed out, when people who have covid-19 can be asymptomatic. is the only safe way to alternate pews or everyone wear a mask. is that the way to do it

properly? >> yeah. one of the most important aspects here is just to recognize that while places of worship are incredibly important to us, they hold a special place in society. the virus doesn't respect those spaces any more than it respects any other. so a house of worship is not necessarily safer than a restaurant. so, again, it gets back to the basics of social distancing. the further away people can sit, is ideal. again, masks, gloves, stay home if you're sick. even if you're really it feels important for you to get to the place of worship, think about the other people that you could protect. >> absolutely. i want to talk about the cdc's 60-page report reopening the country on guidelines they offered for opening schools. face coverings should be encouraged in students and worn by staff.

disinfect surfaces, certainly on buses. hand sanitizer in schools. and students should eat lunch in the classrooms instead of congregating in cafeterias. as you look at this and the potential for reopening schools, is this realistic? >> i do think we can open schools in a safe manner. we don't know a lot about the epidemiologispeciallpidemiology. we know they get infected. they have contacts. they haven't really driven outbreaks. we know there are negative effects for keeping them closed and it was controversial to close them. this guidance provides a pathway for schools to open safely with social distancing, modifications such as not having kids in the cafeteria, no switching classes, no field trips. we can learn from other countries that didn't close schools. there are some private schools open in the midwest in montana and idaho.

i think this should be one of the things on the table. that's one way we can get everything on the table, having schools operate in a modified fashion in a safe manner. >> thank you both so much. a big move late in the day from the governor of new york that could affect if and whether you decide to get-together with others this weekend. for that report, we'll head to coney island as we give you a look at the iconic beach and amusement park. it's a little foggy, but trust me, it's there. me, it's there like way more vans perfect for you. nice. way more unique fixtures and tiles. pairing. ♪ nice. way more top brands in sinks and faucets. way more ways to rule your renovation. nice! on any budget, with free shipping. wayfair. way more than furniture. and its mission is to give you truly transformative sleep.

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how humans responds to disasters brings out solidarity and compassion and ingenuity amidst of the sorrow and tragedy. we have seen examples all around this pandemic in the midst of this national trauma. so many of our fellow americans are rising to the occasion. their words and their deeds serving as i crucial reminder in this stress and catastrophe we really are in this altogether. in new york, tensions are rising over keeping the beaches mostly closed. governor cuomo issuing a new executive order as this holiday weekend begins, allowing any gathering up to 10 people as long as social distancing is observed. the state now has more than 368,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and nearly 30,000 deaths. let's go to my colleague cori coffin from coney island, new

york. that is usually a happy place this weekend. but the weather is not cooperating. the amusement park will not be open. but new yorkers still see the sand. it is beckoning them. will they be there despite the order? >> reporter: people who live here, you can see them walking around right now, they are definitely enjoying it despite the fog. they have the beaches here. at least you can walk on them for now. local leaders expect people to be coming up. they are trying to discourage that as much as possible. he said mayor de blasio, when he talked about this, said there is no hardline stance on absolutely no beaches. we're going to put up fences. nothing like that yet. he just wants people to be cautious about this and really wants to keep the city beaches open to just the locals. listen to what he said about the rules and regulations surrounding all of this. >> i've been really clear about the beaches. they are closed for swimming.

there will not be lifeguards. people are not supposed to go to the beach to swim. there's not going to be anything with group activity. no sports. no volleyball. no gatherings. we want to make sure that people understand what the beach is for today. you can walk on the beach, hang out on the beach, but do it in a manner that is consistent with everything we've been talking about. >> reporter: today might not be an issue because of the weather. tomorrow and monday are supposed to be really nice. de blasio also mentioned he will have police and extra patrols out here and fences ready to go. he said if we need to, we will have to put up the fences if people are not listening to the rules. i want to touch on that really quickly. on thursday, he issued an executive order allowing gatherings up to 10 people for religious purposes or for memorial day celebrations. new york civil liberties union

filed suit saying that doesn't go far enough. it impedes first amendment rights. so the government expanded that on friday, allowing gatherings up to 10 people for any purpose. of course that still doesn't include city beaches, which we will be watching intently to see how things go out here starting today, the official start of the memorial day holiday and the unofficial start of summer. >> i'm guessing the weather will be better tomorrow. you are recommending nick sends you back to the beach tomorrow just to check things out. we'll see if it happens. i don't know. >> reporter: i feel like it is only adjoujournalisticly sound. william roddie bryan is the man who is recording that shooting. he is now charged with felony murder. and blayne alexander has more on his arrest. why they are saying bryan was more than just a witness. >> reporter: the man who recorded the final 36 seconds of

ahmaud arbery's life is in jail charged with his death. william roddie bryan, facing two charges, felony murder and criminal attempts to commit false imprisonment. >> mr. bryan has committed to crime and bears no criminal responsibility in his death. >> reporter: he joins gregory and travis mcmichael. arbery was unarmed, out for a jog, his family says. gregory mcmichael said he and son travis thought he was a burglary suspect and followed him and travis fired when arbery began to violently attack. since the start, bryan's larry h has maintained he was a by stander. according to arrest warrants, he tried to block arbery's path using his vehicle with the intention of confining and detaining arbery. >> ahmad very well may have been alive. he cut off his only escape route. >> reporter: the shooting

ignited a firestorm of protests and reported calls for arrests. >> we make our decisions based on facts in the case. >> it feels like the only thing that changed since february 23rd or may 8th with respect to roddy bribe or r the changing political winds. >> have you spoken to the arbery family in this process? >> i have spoken to the family. >> she is now the fourth prosecutor to handle the case. >> we are going to make sure we find justice in this case. we know we have a broken family and a broken community. >> reporter: blayne alexander, nbc news, atlanta. joe biden walking back a comment that he made about black voters could hurt his campaign. reaction to the incident from a former campaign aide of president obama next. ama next even though i live with a higher risk of stroke due to afib not caused by a heart valve problem. so if there's a better treatment than warfarin, i'll go for that. eliquis. eliquis is proven to reduce stroke risk

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now to the latest facts. brazil has the second highest number of cases of any country outside the u.s. with more than 330,000. that's now sur passing russia.

the country's health ministry said that number is likely much higher because there hasn't been widespread testing. brazil's president bolsonaro repeatedly played down that threat. back here in the u.s., georgetown basketball coach patrick ewing is reminding people to take covid-19 seriously. he confirmed he tested positive for the coronavirus and is hospitalized in fact, with the disease. he announced that news in a tweet, that it should not be taken lightly. he is the only person in the georgetown program to test positive for the virus. macy's will open 80 force for the memorial day weekend with new cleaning and social distancing protocols. they are projecting a first quarter loss of more than $1 billion after closing all stores on march 18th because of the coronavirus pandemic. in florida, universal orlando resort, owned by parent company of nbc, is set to reopen to visitors on june 5th. visitors and workers will have

their temperatures checked before entering. and they are required to wear masks. the park will allow only a limited capacity to promote social distancing. let's take a look at the newspapers and the stories making the front pages of those papers around the country. we have "the chicago-sun times" up first. it sets up a sunday showdown. illinois governor pritzker and lori lightfoot stand firm after trump says he will override officials who do not heed his call. the press herald, new cases rising steadily in two counties raising fears that covid-19 is resurging. in the fairbanks, alaska area "the daily news" minor says restaurants are opening for full service dining. but the alaska state fair is canceled for the first time since world war ii. the idaho statesman, employees at a potato plant vested positive for the virus.

and neighbors filed noise complaints as mosques resort to amplified prayer for ramadan. kelly o'donnell is joining us now. kelly, good saturday morning to you, my friend. we have the president also threatening to override governors who defy him. first of all, out of the gate, does he have the authority to do that >> reporter: he has the power to influence but certainly no power to tell governors how to set these kinds of rules in their states. and in other times during the pandemic, when other issues came up, it was very clear that president trump was deferring to governors. this time he is making a statement about what he wants to see happening. and it will be up to governors, and to a great degree, various congregations and faith communities to decide where there is active virus if this weekend is the right time or too

soon to bring worshippers together. >> using the presidency's bully pulpit, donald trump demanded religious services resume this weekend. >> some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but left our churches and other worship out. it's not right. >> reporter: for his evangelical base. the president urged governors to lift restrictions on church gatherings immediately. but also threatened action that goes beyond his own power. >> if they don't do it, i will override the governors. in america, we need more prayer not less. >> reporter: the president did order the cdc to provide direction. friday posting interim guidance that suggests places of worship, encourage face coverings, limit the size of gatherings, consider

suspending choirs and singing, hold services outside if possible and increase cleaning and disinfecting. friday, the president was also in campaign gear. >> november 3rd is a big day. >> reporter: seizing on his democratic rivals controversy, tweeting criticism of joe biden for racially offensive comments biden made in an interim. >> if you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or trump, then you ain't black. >> reporter: said in jest but later he expressed regret. >> i shouldn't have been such a wise guy. i shouldn't have been so cavalier. >> i know that the comments have come off like i was taking the african-american vote for granted, but nothing could be further from the truth. >> reporter: and of course the president's campaign has seized upon those biden comments. back to the cdc guidelines for churches and mosques and synagogues, in addition to those guidelines that we highlighted,

they also point to things like avoiding the use of shared materials in a place of worship. it might be a song book. or if food is served to make certain it's individual and utensils aren't shared. a lot of practical tips that we have used in this stay at home time are being applied as suggestions to faith communities if they feel they are ready to reopen. alex. >> all right. kelly o'donnell at the white house. thank you, kel. let's get more from the fallout from the joe biden comments. >> listen, you have to come see us, vp biden. >> i will. it's a long way until november. we have more questions. >> you got more questions. tell me, if you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or trump, then you can't black. >> it doesn't have to do anything with trump. it's the fact that i watched something for my community. >> take a look at my record. i extended the voting act 25

years. i have record that is second to none. >> campaigns. welcome on a saturday morning. should joe biden's track record now, should these remarks be put into context with respect to president trump since he was i guess, juxta posing himself with. >> look, i think everyone's record should be looked at. when we look at snapshots office people's record rather than their entirety, we look at the service. joe biden's record is right. he helped to extend the voting rights act. he's fault for civil rights, women's rights. so i think when the trump campaign tries to demagogue joe biden, maybe they should look in the mirror. >> let's face it, joe biden really got back into the race because of south carolina. the primary there. and the large african-american vote that came out in droves for him and trounced his

republican -- rather, trounced anybody else in the campaign there during the primary. but when you hear remarks like this, what is your initial reaction? are you faulting joe biden for this? >> yeah. i mean, it was too cute for his own good. i think there is a notion among the african-american community that white politicians take our vote for granted. so i think this reaffirmed that. and i think what joe biden needs to do now is have his obama moment. that have moment where after obama addressed race and where we were in our country's history. and this is a great opportunity for joe biden to do just that, especially in the age of trump. >> look, in that way, biden campaign officials are saying he is definitely willing to have his record on african-american issues put up against president trump's record any day of the week. does this hurt biden in the long run? is this something we're talking about today, tomorrow, maybe into monday. it's a holiday weekend, right? but beyond that, do you think there will be a settling effect?

>> i actually think that the trump campaign is going to overplay this. the last thing they want to do is have a conversation about african-american support, african-american history. when you're in the trump campaign and you called african countries s-holes, and charlottesville, all these horrible things. the last thing you want to do is have the vice president for the first african-american president put up against a guy that compares neo-nazis and americans fighting for democracy. >> another facet here i want to discuss with you biden is committed to selecting a woman as his running mate. here's whether he would choose an african-american woman. here's that. >> i'm not acknowledging anybody who is being considered, but i guarantee you there are multiple black women being considered. multiple. >> that's really our time. i apologize.

>> you can't do that to black media. >> my wife has to go on at 6:00. >> that was the voice of an aide that you heard saying he had to wrap up the time. but that la main made the point that black voters, particularly those in south carolina saved biden's life in the political primaries. does he owe the voters a debt of gratitu gratitude? >> i was in south carolina with you guys doing coverage. and you could feel the african-american support that pushed him over the edge to get him the nomination. in some sense he does owe the african-american community, especially when you have qualified candidates like val demings, kamala harris. there is this notion that african-americans have often been forgotten when it comes to election season. yeah, i think this is something that will really help him especially when you have val demings in florida that can put

that into play. >> you mentioned val demings, the congresswoman. she is on the "veep" short list. stacey abrams is openly campaigning for the role. other names including kamala harris and amy khroeb char and gretchen whitmer, senator elizabeth warren and her shift on medicare for all is a pitch to biden. how do you think it will play out? >> i think anyone who says democrats don't have a deep bench is crazy. just by the conversation we're having about vps, it shows that. val demings is an amazing choice. any one of those women would be an amazing vice president. and hopeful live in 2020 forward, amazing president. >> a very deep bench indeed. okay. michael starr hopkins, thank you very much. the disinformation campaign. we'll take you to part of the world where it is running

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russian and chinese state media have been running conspiracy theories that the coronavirus started in an american lab. now they are trying to push it out to audiences in the middle east. we have been tracking this. this is interesting. what can you tell us about the motivation behind it, ralf? >> reporter: good morning, alex. both russia and china have state

media channels which broadcast in arabic to millions of homes across the middle east. our team at the nbc verification unit has been monitoring their output and found several disturbing examples of spreading disinformation during the pandemic. one they have turned to again and again, that it is an american biological weapon. there is one clip in particular which has gone viral in the middle east. it comes from russia today arabic. it has been seen on youtube more than 1 million times. in it you can hear a biological weapons expert claiming that the virus was created in a ring of u.s. labs in asia and there was a, quote, planned operation to spread it to china. now, the reality there is no ring of u.s. labs encircling china. in fact, there's no evidence that the virus came from a lab at all. but experts tell us that russian media has been pushing this narrative and it's been spreading across the middle east. take a listen. >> when we look at the source of

some of the disinformation that's being spread, off it can be difficult to source where this disinformation has started. but certainly we have seen patterns. the suggestion that covid-19 is a bioweapon developed in the united states is something we have seen promoted by russian channels in arabic. >> reporter: chinese state media has made similar claims. a u.s. military lab in maryland which they say closed mysterious at the start of the outbreak. their implication is the virus came from there. in this case the reality is it did temporarily close but has since reopened. there's no evidence at all that that closure was linked to the virus. >> so, raf, my question is why do this in arabic? what is the point? i read they want to get that to

the audience so they understand it, but why that audience? >> reporter: well, alex, analysts tell us the middle east is still a strategic battle ground in an information war between the great powers of the world. with russia, they are not just interested in interfering directly with u.s. politics as they did in the 2016 election. they're also looking to whip up anti-american feeling in the middle east. these broadcasts done in arabic and blaming the united states for a pandemic that's cost so many lives is a really powerful tool for doing that. >> oh, boy. raf sanchez, thanks for that. face-to-face, place to place. showdowns over wearing a mask. have face coverings become a decisive political touchstone. decisive political touchstone. uh uh, no way come on, no no n-n-n-no-no only discover has no annual fee on any card.

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with one protein feels like. what getting fueled with three energy packed proteins feels like. meat! cheese! and nuts! p3. because 3 is better than 1 president trump has gotten criticism for attending events in pennsylvania and arizona without wearing a mask. on thursday, we finally caught a glimpse of him with a mask on.

there he is. on the michigan ford plant tour. it did not stay on long. joining me now is susan delpersio and morgan chalfont. welcome, ladies. susan, the president has taken a similar trip for the third week without a mask. is it vanity? is it delivering a message of depd depd defiance or a rise out of reporters? >> yes. he feels he is sending out a message that few minority believe they shouldn't have to wear a mask. free america. what is interesting is the photo you showed with the mask on, the

caption there could easily have been this is how we open up the country. this is how we start business. restart business. wearing that mask in the ford plant would show we are getting back to work and this is what it looks like. embrace it. every day this president has a chance to do better. to improve his image and look like he's working harder for all americans and every day he blows it. that's what is so surprising. >> morgan, you reported that because the president is tested regularly, negatively, there is no need for him to wear a mask. there are others that suggest that by not wearing a mask he should instead wear a t-shirt that says i don't care about you. >> i think yes that is a consistent message from the white house. the problem is the message. you have the cdc telling americans and encouraging americans to wear a mask to prevent the asymptomatic spread.

this is an opportunity to tell the public this is what you should do to reopen the country and start moving forward. instead, it is the controversy over him not wearing the mask distracts. >> we had the president lashing out at the michigan attorney general. she was calling him the petulant child for not wearing a mask at the ford plant. she has encouraged the voters to remember that moment in september. do you think this is a moment that will resonate for the swing state with voters there? >> no. michiganders have seen over 5,000 deaths to coronavirus. as they faced a 500-year flood when the president then decided to say we will hold back federal aid because he did not like how they were mailings out absentee ballot applications, that is

what michiganders were going to remember. they will write off the trump campaign. he isn't going to win it. >> interesting. morgan, we have seen protesters around the country. the demand the states reopen and not wearing masks as they go to the demonstrations. do you think wearing a mask is a partisan act? >> i think it is hard to tell. i do think there's a vocal minority who are protesting against the stay-at-home orders. we have seen some supporters of the president not wearing masks and not obeying the social distancing recommendations. i think we have seen polling that suggests a broad majority of americans, both democrat and republicans, are wearing masks. usa today reported on 9 out of 10 democrats have worn masks while outside. 8 in 10 republicans. i think the country is obeying

the guidelines. >> it is a vocal minority. there's a new fox news poll of registered voters. most trust joe biden to handle the coronavirus with 46%. the president weighs in with 37% of the voters trust. susan? >> some people know former vice president joe biden and that he worked hard with the obama administration to get us through the very hard financial time in 2008. at the same time, alex, i think mickey mouse would do better by double digits than the way president trump has handled it. >> okay. i'm going to leave it alone. morgan, whether about the president who is always in the headlines and on tv all the time. not joe biden. he is respecting the rules and broadcasting from his home. doing what you can do from there. it is limiting. what is he doing that is giving

voters so much confidence in how he would respond to the pandemic? >> i do think it is a reflection of the criticism the president has gotten and we have to watch and see as joe biden makes more public appearances and what he would do to handle the pandemic. if he does become president, because it is an issue, obviously, going into the fall and next year. i think things could change. i think at this stage, people are focused on president trump's response and there's been criticism of that. >> morgan, susan, thank you. that's a wrap for me at this hour. i'm alex witt. see you at noon eastern. up next on "velshi" the back and forth over the masks and the ford plant tour. masks and the ford plant tour.

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good morning. it is saturday, may 23rd. i'm ali velshi. any day now the united states will reach a milestone that president trump said just weeks ago was impossible. 100,000 covid-19 deaths and rising. globally, a stage at the united states commanded leadership on prior to trump. daily records for covid-19 cases continue to be set. topping 100,000