White House spokeswoman urges Americans to ask their doctor about hydroxychloriquine

'Who knows if it's true? He may not have been taking it for all we know,' Chuck Schumer says, adding president likes to 'make a splash'

Donald Trump's top spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday the president is taking a malaria drug to guard against coronavirus despite federal warnings, but said Americans should only take hydroxychloroquine under a doctor's care.

The US president shocked the world on Monday when he announced this during a meeting with restaurant industry executives: "You'd be surprised at how many people are taking it, especially the front-line workers before you catch it. The front-line workers, many, many are taking it."

Then came this bombshell: "I happen to be taking it. I happen to be taking it."

The president is "taking it" despite federal warnings of potential life-threatening side effects, including an irregular heartbeat. Mr Trump has a form of heart disease, according to the White House medical staff.

His White House aides scrambled after his late-afternoon revelation, and eventually released a memo from the top White House doctor, Navy Commander Sean Conley, that Mr Trump began taking it after one of his military valets tested positive for Covid-19.

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Mr Trump has pushed the medication for months. The New York Times has reported his family has a financial tie to one of the parent companies of one of the drug's manufacturers. The president denies is making any money off hydroxychloroquine. The Senate's top Democrat, New York's Chuck Schumer, accused him of lying about the medication.

"Who knows if it's true? He may not have been taking it for all we know," Mr Schumer told MSNBC, adding the president likes to 'make a splash'

So why did the president suddenly announce he is taking the malaria medication, which also can treat other ailments, including lupus?

He "just wanted to be transparent," Ms McEnany told reporters on Tuesday.

"Because I think it's good. I've heard a lot of good stories. And if it's not good, I'll tell you, alright?" Mr Trump said. "I'm not going to get hurt by it. It's been around for 40 years for malaria, for lupus, for other things.

"I hope to not be able to take it soon because, you know, I hope they come up with some answer," Mr Trump said. "But I think people should be allowed to."

Medical experts, however, are urging Americans to either avoid the drug as a preventative measure or treatment for coronavirus. At the least, they say, people should talk to their doctor.

Ms McEnany said similar a day after her boss's announcement saying any use of the medication "must be in consultation with a doctor."