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BBC<\/p>\n
Top US Democrat Nancy Pelosi has been accused of fat-shaming President Donald Trump after she called him “morbidly obese”.<\/strong><\/p>\n Mrs Pelosi cited Mr Trump’s “weight group” when asked about his disclosure that he is taking hydroxychloroquine to guard against Covid-19.<\/p>\n There is no evidence the drug can ward off the virus, and experts have cautioned it may cause heart problems.<\/p>\n Critics said Mrs Pelosi’s “fat-phobic” response distracted from such concerns.<\/p>\n The World Health Organization has called attention to reports of individuals self-medicating and causing themselves serious harm with hydroxychloroquine, which Mr Trump has repeatedly touted as a potential Covid-19 treatment.<\/p>\n Speaking to reporters on Monday, the 73-year-old president said he had started taking the malaria and lupus medication in the past fortnight.<\/p>\n “I happen to be taking it,” Mr Trump said. “If it’s not good, I’ll tell you right, I’m not going to get hurt by it.”<\/p>\n Asked on Monday night by CNN about Mr Trump’s remarks, Mrs Pelosi said she would “rather he [Mr Trump] not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists”.<\/p>\n “Especially in his age group, and in his, shall we say, weight group, morbidly obese, they say,” the US House of Representatives speaker said.<\/p>\n Epidemiologist Abdul El-Sayed, a CNN commentator, tweeted on Tuesday that Mrs Pelosi’s remarks would only reinforce the stigma around obesity.<\/p>\n Sorry, calling Trump #morbidlyobese<\/a> just ain't it. <\/p>\n It perpetuates a culture of political mudslinging that allows honest criticism of the dangerous things he's done to be dismissed as petty partisanship. <\/p>\n Also, fat-shaming drives obesity stigma. It's not cool or funny. <\/p>\n Focus.<\/p>\n — Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) May 19, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
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