February 28, 2020 "Information Clearing House" -  Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney refused to take responsibility for the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 disease and crafted a new conspiracy theory that the news coverage on the novel coronavirus is merely a media-driven plot to take down Donald Trump.

"They think this will bring down the president," Mulvaney said at the Conservative Political Action Conference, regarding news reporting of the COVID-19 disease. "That's what it's all about."

The new coronavirus and its potential spread have caused panic among investors, who fear the disease could have lasting impacts on the economy.

On Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 1,200 points, the worst one-day drop in history. As of the time this article was published Friday, the Dow fell another 1,190 points, dropping another 4.4%.