MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – US President Donald Trump and the first lady tested positive for coronavirus Thursday.
Trump tweeted that he and his wife Melania would begin their “recovery process immediately” and “get through this together.”
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
The Trumps had entered quarantine earlier in the day after senior aide Hope Hicks had also tested positive.
She spent a substantial amount of time in close proximity with Trump this week, including traveling with him to a campaign rally on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported, citing an administration official.
She also traveled with Trump several other days this week, including on board the presidential helicopter Marine One as well as on Air Force One.
President ‘well’
Minutes after Trump tweeted his positive test result, the White House physician said the president was “well” and and would continue to perform his duties “without disruption” while quarantining along with the first lady.
Dr Sean Conley said the pair plan to “remain home at at the White House during their convalescence.”
At 74, Trump is at a higher risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19.
While most people have only mild symptoms, some older people — usually those with other medical complications — develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal.
What now for election campaigning?
The president becomes the highest-profile world leader to contract the virus, just a month before he seeks a second term in the White House.
The diagnosis has thrown his reelection plan into turmoil as Trump continues to trail his Democratic rival Joe Biden in the polls,
Immediately, the White House canceled plans for Trump to attend a campaign fundraiser and to fly to Florida for a rally later Friday.
First Lady Melania Trump acknowledged that the pair had “postponed all upcoming engagements.”
But her Chief of Staff Stephanie Grisham wrote that “nothing” would stop the pair from “fighting for the American people.”
Nothing will stop @potus & @FLOTUS from fighting for the American people! Our country is strong & we will get through this together. https://t.co/S6yeD62KKM
— Stephanie Grisham (@StephGrisham45) October 2, 2020
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, meanwhile, wrote on Twitter: “Your President will continue to put the People first!
The strength of the entire country is with President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS.
America stands united.
Our country stands strong.
Your President will continue to put the People first!
— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) October 2, 2020
If Trump were unable to do his job — even due to a short illness — the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution allows the vice president becomes the president.
The world reacts
The announcement sparked an immediate drop in US stock futures. The Dow slumped 1.7% and the broader S&P 500 shed 1.6% on the news. Japan’s Nikkei traded down almost a percent and European stock markets were expected to open lower on the news.
US Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter that he and his wife Karen were sending “love and prayers to our dear friends,” before adding: “We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first world leader to tweet his support, wishing the president and first lady “a quick recovery.”
White House aides tested daily
After several earlier positive cases close to the president, the White House began conducting daily tests for Trump’s senior aides and anyone else in close proximity with the president or vice president Mike Pence — including reporters.
“The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously,” White House spokesperson Judd Deere said.
The virus has killed over 205,000 people in the United States, making it the world’s highest death toll. Over 7.2 million people in the US have been infected with the virus so far.
Trump has been criticized for his response to the pandemic, including playing down the threat and refusing to abide by public health guidelines — including wearing masks.
His positive test comes after several other world leaders contracted the virus, including Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent a week in the hospital, including three nights in intensive care, where he was given oxygen and watched around the clock by medical workers.
Earlier in the year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel self-isolated after a doctor who gave her a vaccination tested positive for the virus.
DW
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