March 28, 2024

President Trump and first lady positive for COVID-19

President Trump after months of dismissing the Coronavirus has tested positive along with First Lady Melania Trump.

President Donald Trump returns to the White House in Washington on March 25, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

President Trump tweeted early Friday morning that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the Coronavirus.

This comes just days after the first presidential debate where Trump was questioned about the lack of masks at his campaign rallies.

On Thursday Hope Hicks, counselor to President Trump, tested positive for COVID-19. President Trump traveled with Hicks several times throughout this week, including to Cleveland, the site of the debate.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will have to quarantine, per CDC guidelines, for a minimum of 14 days. With the next Presidential Debate scheduled for Oct. 15, it is unclear what will happen.

First Lady Melania also tweeted about testing positive for the virus.

President Trump has consistently downplayed the severity of the virus since its rise to prominence back in February. However, he has rectified some of his views since then, even claiming he up-played the severity.

“I didn’t downplay it. I actually, in many ways, I up-played it, in terms of action,” Trump said. “My action was very strong.”

The CDC has stated on numerous occasions the elderly are most at risk to the virus. At 74 years old, President Trump poses a high risk of long-term injury or possible fatality from this virus.

The answer remains unclear for his diagnosis will affect the election. So far, Trumps’s campaign has rearranged his  schedule.

Earlier in May when the virus was beginning to show substantial signs of spread in the White House, Trump told reporters that he was not worried.

“I think it’s very well contained, actually,” Trump said.

Vice President Mike Pence and the second lady Karen Pence have tested negative for the Coronavirus. After sharing the debate stage on Tuesday, former Vice Presiden Joe Biden has tested negative for the virus. Biden tweeted that he is sending prayers to the president and his family.

 

Friday afternoon Trump was flown to Walter Reed Hospital as a precautionary measure and to administer tests. It is unclear exactly how long he will remain at the hospital but at least a few days.

As election season approaches, there are few answers to how President Trump will handle his own diagnosis as well as the continuing pandemic. What about the debates? And will Trump look at the virus differently when this is all over?

Edited by Donna Mitchell and Christian Knox

Featured Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons

 

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