President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19, the president tweeted early Friday morning. It was an earth-shattering announcement mere weeks from Election Day.
Mr. Trump said he and the first lady would begin quarantining immediately.
The first lady also tweeted after the positive tests, saying she and the president were “feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements.”
Mr. Trump is 74 years old and has at least one underlying condition, placing him at a higher risk for complications, according to Centers for Disease Control guidance.
The White House physician issued a memo confirming the positive tests, and saying the president and first lady were doing well and planned to remain at home.
“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,” wrote Sean Conley, physician to the president.
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted about an hour after Mr. Trump’s announcement, saying that he and second lady Karen Pence, “send their love and prayers” to the president and first lady.
“We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery. God bless you President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania,” Pence wrote.
News of the positive tests came just hours after it was reported that Mr. Trump’s top aide Hope Hicks had tested positive for the virus.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has tested negative for the coronavirus, senior White House aide Ben Williamson told CBS News.
The strength of the entire country is with President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS,” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a tweet, adding that Mr. Trump would “continue to put the People first!”
Mr. Trump met with supporters in person earlier on Thursday, and held a rally with supporters in Minnesota on Wednesday night. He was in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday for the first presidential debate.
The president was scheduled to campaign in Florida Friday, but all of his events were canceled except one — he’s still set to host a phone call on COVID-19 support for vulnerable seniors.
The positive diagnosis could not come at a worse time for Mr. Trump politically, only a handful of weeks out from the election and only two weeks from the next presidential debate against former Vice President Joe Biden.
Mr. Trump has frequently offered conflicting information and examples about COVID-19, often flouting his own administration’s guidelines on social distancing, mask-wearing and not gathering in large groups. He has continued to hold large outdoor rallies outside, including on Wednesday, the night before his positive diagnosis.
