Trump talks on stalled virus relief, Lebanon aid

With talks between Democrats and the White House on vital COVID-19 rescue funds collapsing, US President Donald Trump signaled Friday evening he would go it alone, despite the considerable limits to that approach.

Speaking at a press conference at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump said Democrats "continue to insist on radical left wing policies that have nothing to do with the China virus."

"If Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage, I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need," he said.

Earlier Friday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the president was now likely to issue executive orders on home evictions and on student loan debt.

Trump also mentioned deferring the payroll tax until the end of the year but didn't state when he might sign such orders.

Trump also said the United States is sending three aircraft "fully loaded with medical supplies, food, water" and emergency equipment to Lebanon following the explosion of ammonium nitrate earlier this week, killing more than 150.

He also said American doctors, nurses and first responders are on their way to the scene to help with recovery efforts.