News Brief: President Trump and first lady test positive for COVID-19
Reports of President Trump appearing lethargic at a fundraiser on Thursday have surfaced in light on his condition. Photo courtesy of Erin Schaff for The New York Times
President Trump announced early Friday morning that both he and the first lady, Melania Trump, tested positive for COVID-19 after Hope Hicks, a top White House aide, tested positive Thursday.
Trump’s condition came to light after the president tweeted the news at around 1 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, just two days after his visit to Duluth, Minnesota.
Local news stations reported a short visit from Trump Wednesday night at the Duluth airport. It is estimated that he was in Duluth for roughly three hours before returning to the White House.
A large crowd gathered in the Duluth Airport Wednesday, September 30, to greet President Trump. Photo courtesy of Alex Kormann for the Star Tribune
According to a recent New York Times report, Trump is experiencing cold-like symptoms and fatigue. He and the first lady will quarantine in the White House. At age 74, Trump is at a higher risk for more severe virus symptoms, while the first lady, at age 50, has a slightly reduced risk.
The announcement of Trump’s positive test comes just 32 days before the presidential election on Nov. 3, inevitably halting the president’s campaign trail. Global markets have also dropped since Friday morning, with the stock market remaining unsteady.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, tested negative to the virus Friday.
The news of Trump’s health status has led to various responses from people throughout the country.
Biden tweeted just before 8 a.m. Friday morning, wishing Trump and the first lady “a swift recovery.” The notion was re-iterated by Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris.
Less positive reactions have also come from the public, citing Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic prior to his positive test results, with some even calling for the president’s death.
An article from Variety shows tweets from the past 24 hours, ranging from good wishes for Trump and his family to conspiracies that the president is not actually ill.
“[N]ot since 1981, when President Ronald Reagan was shot, has a president been known to confront a life-threatening illness in office,” wrote Megan Specia and Eileen Sullivan for The New York Times.
Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for COVID-19. According to the 25th Amendment, Pence will take over the Presidential Office if Trump becomes unable to perform his duties. If Pence were to fall ill, the house speaker, Nancy Pelosi would be next in line.