Donald Trump has confirmed that he and wife Melania have tested positive for coronavirus. Taking to Twitter in the early hours of Friday, October 2, Trump revealed that he and Melania would begin self-isolating and expressed hope for a full and speedy recovery.
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
- Trump was tested after Hope Hicks got a positive result. Hicks is one of Trump’s closest advisors and earlier this week flew aboard Air Force One with him earlier this week when Trump attended the presidential debate in Ohio. The 31-year-old tested positive soon after, prompting Trump himself to get tested, BBC News reports.
- Trump is in a high-risk group and hasn’t exactly been precautious. Trump has gone back and forth on his stance on wearing masks and was often spotted without one. He’s also not keen on social distancing and has spent much of his time over the past nine months rather close to advisors, senators, and others in his inner circle. Given that he’s 74 years old and overweight, coronavirus poses a very serious risk to him.
- His personal doctor released a statement not long after Trump tested positive. Dr. Sean Conley said that both Trump and Melania were “both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.” The statement continued, “Rest assured I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments.”
- All public engagements have currently been canceled. That means that the next presidential debate against Democratic rival Joe Biden, due to take place in Miami, Florida on October 15, will likely not go ahead given the need for Trump to quarantine for at least 14 days. It remains to be seen whether or not Trump will become symptomatic from the illness as it’s very early days.
The White House physician has released a statement on the president's and first lady's positive COVID-19 results. pic.twitter.com/zhOdXt3m3G
— Anthony Zurcher (@awzurcher) October 2, 2020
