The Fake News would have demonized him for putting the economy (and reelection) ahead of the lives of Americans.
Straight out of their "Capitalism is evil" playbook.
Most Americans are lost in the illusion.
POTUS must play within the rules of the illusion.
If people BELIEVE something is real, it is real, to them.
That is all that matters.
It's really too big to summarize here.
Study how magicians deceive people.