Trump coronavirus news: Masked President airlifted from White House lawn to begin Walter Reed hospitalisation
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump gave a thumbs up and waved to well-wishers as he walked to Marine 1 to begin hospitalisation at Walter Reed Medical Centre on Friday afternoon following cold-like symptoms of a fever and cough.
A White House spokesperson said it was a precautionary measure, while Trump's doctor said the president was taking a mix of drugs, including Regeneron's polyclonal antibody cocktail as well as aspirin, zinc, vitamin D, famotidine and melatonin.
Trump's campaign staff cancelled all in-person events for the first family, with Mike Pence to step in. Joe Biden, meanwhile, flew to Michigan to continue his campaign after testing negative, saying he sends prayers for Trump's 'health and safety'.
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Cleveland doctor ‘urged Trump guests to wear masks at debate’
This is very interesting from MSNBC’s senior national correspondent:
Tiffany, Ivanka, Eric and their families all declined to cover their faces despite being asked to.
Mike Pompeo says he and his wife have tested negative
“I’m feeling fantastic,” the US secretary of state told reporters in Italy this morning, adding that he had not been with Trump in person since 15 September when they signed peace accords at the White House with the leaders of Israel, the UAE and Bahrain.
“We are praying for the President and First Lady that they’ll have a speedy recovery," Pompeo said.
“I spoke with the Vice President’s office this morning as well. We’re taking this obviously very seriously. And we’ll do everything we can to keep everyone safe, including you all.”
The Pope declined to meet with Pompeo at the Vatican, incidentally, which was probably a wise move in any event.
Trump blames Hicks testing positive on military personnel
The president called into Sean Hannity’s show on Fox last night and discussed his top aide’s positive diagnosis - prior to revealing his own.
Did he know at this point? If so, why not reveal it to a key media ally and give him the exclusive of the century?
Either way, Trump used his time to speculate that Hicks’s hopelessly friendly disposition had made it impossible for her not to hug military servicemen and law enforcement officers, one of whom surely made her sick.
He also used the finally say the words “I condemn the Proud Boys” 48 hours too late - his reluctance to disavow white supremacy an issue that now returns to the back-burner.
It’s worth noting that Fox is imploring its viewers to take this morning’s news seriously despite month’s of misinformation, mask rejection and hydroxychloroquine promos.
Their example has surely played no small part in normalising scenes like this.
What happens if Trump withdraws from the election following Covid diagnosis?
The president testing positive means it’s distinctly possible that Vice President Pence - next in line to the Oval Office - could also have contracted the disease in the West Wing.
That eventuality would leave House speaker Nancy Pelosi to step in to the presidency, prompting Dr Jonathan Reiner to advise her to self-isolate for the good of the country on CNN last night.
All of which would leave this year’s election race in total chaos.
Here’s Gino Spocchia to explain the emergency measures outlined in the 25th Amendment.
What happens if Trump withdraws from 2020 election following coronavirus diagnosis?
How party national committees, state laws, and Supreme Court would intervene if president too ill to compete
Putin wishes Trump 'swift recovery' after positive coronavirus test
We’ve already heard from Boris, now here’s the consolatory message from the Kremlin.
Vladimir Putin is confident Trump’s “inherent vitality” will carry the day.
Putin praises Trump’s ‘inherent vitality’ as he wishes US president swift recovery from coronavirus
Russian leader sends US counterpart telegram following bombshell news
Trump’s children and key aides could all now be compromised
According to this count by MSNBC, everyone from Don Jr and Eric, to Kayleigh McEnany, Rudy Giuliani and Stephen Miller are now at risk of contracting Covid-19 after travelling with the president this week.
This press shot of Hicks and colleagues returning maskless to the White House is also cause for concern.
Joe Biden ‘needs to be immediately tested,’ says CNN medical expert
"He does need to be immediately tested. He has come in proximity to someone that has Covid," Dr Sanjay Gupta says of the Democratic nominee, who was on stage with Trump in Cleveland, Ohio, for more than 90 minutes on Tuesday night, which is a concern even with social distancing measures in place.
Trump's coronavirus diagnosis throws presidential race into chaos and disarray 31 days before election day
Andrew Buncombe offers this analysis of what today’s drama means for 3 November.
Trump's coronavirus diagnosis throws presidential race into chaos and disarray
Early voting already underway in many parts of country
Trump may have known Hope Hicks was ill when he travelled to New Jersey fundraiser
It seems the White House knew of Hicks testing positive yesterday morning but allowed the president to press ahead with a trip to Bedminster, New Jersey, in the afternoon to hustle up donations from wealthy guests at his golf resort.
A “raspy” Trump also spent yesterday promising virtual attendees of the annual Al Smith memorial dinner that the end of the pandemic was “in sight”.
"Through advances in treatment we have reduced the fatality rate by 85 per cent since just April," the president told his online audience, seemingly while knowing his own health was suspect.
"We're on track to develop and distribute our vaccine before the end of the year, maybe substantially before. And I just want to say that the end of the pandemic is in sight."
Here’s Matt Mathers’ report.
'Raspy' Trump told Americans end of pandemic 'in sight' hours before positive coronavirus test
First lady has also tested positive
Boris Johnson wishes Trumps ‘speedy recovery’
The British prime minister, who contracted coronavirus himself earlier this summer and just this week batted away accusations that he was suffering from “long Covid” by claiming he was “fit as a butcher’s dog”, sends this message of sympathy to the sickly first couple.
Here’s Vincent Wood with a look at the other world leaders who have contracted the respiratory disease blighting the planet in 2020.
The world leaders and officials who have had Covid-19
Virus has repeatedly struck political figures, complicating pandemic response
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