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Trump and first lady showing 'mild symptoms' after positive Covid tests – live Trump and first lady showing 'mild symptoms' after positive Covid tests – live
(32 minutes later)
White House confirms president has mild symptoms, while first lady tweets that she has the same but is ‘overall feeling good’White House confirms president has mild symptoms, while first lady tweets that she has the same but is ‘overall feeling good’
Democratic nominee Joe Biden has reportedly received a coronavirus test and is awaiting his results. Over the past five days the president has behaved with the same reckless disregard for public health rules that has characterised his response since January to the global coronavirus pandemic.
Viewed with hindsight, his meetings during the last week look ill-judged, to say the least. On Monday, Trump appeared in the White House’s Rose Garden.
His audience was made up of members of Congress and state officials. Few wore masks. Neither did Trump or the vice-president Mike Pence, who followed the president to the podium. Other administration officials who were present included the health secretary, Alex M Azar, and the education secretary, Betsy DeVos. Earlier, Trump inspected a truck on the south lawn and met manufacturers from Ohio.
On Tuesday, Trump boarded Air Force One en route to the debate in Ohio. With him was a large entourage. It included members of the Trump family: his wife Melania, adult children and senior staff. Also there was his trusted aide, 31-year-old Hope Hicks. Since joining his campaign in early 2015, Hicks was often at Trump’s side. She returned to his administration in spring, following an earlier spell as press secretary.
Trump’s family watched the debate from the audience. None wore masks. This show of support for the president was – it seemed - transgressive. And in clear breach of host rules, which called for blue surgical masks to be worn. A Cleveland clinic doctor in a white lab coat had even tried to approach Trump family guests, offering a mask. She was unsuccessful. Someone shook their head at her as she came close, according to a press pool report.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement calling on the White House to launch an extensive contact tracing effort after the president tested positive for coronavirus.
“I wish President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and any White House staff members who are infected a speedy recovery. I join the nation in praying for the First Family’s health and safety,” Schumer said.
“The infection of the President, First Lady and a close aide require that the White House immediately conduct a contact tracing regime that follows CDC guidelines, as well as thorough testing and isolation for those who were exposed to infection risk.”
Schumer said anyone who came in contact with someone who has tested positive, including supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, should immediately isolate.
The Senate leader also said the incident underscored the need for the chamber to launch its own testing and contact tracing program.
“Finally, what happened to President Trump is a reminder of why the whole country, including Senators and staff, must follow the science and follow the protocols laid out by the CDC and public health officials,” Schumer said.
“When you ignore the science, you don’t wear a mask, and you don’t follow social distancing guidelines, it puts you and everyone around you at risk. Following science is a must.”
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he spoke to Trump by phone this morning, after the president tested positive for coronavirus.
“He’s in good spirits and we talked business — especially how impressed Senators are with the qualifications of Judge Barrett,” McConnell said, referring to supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
“Full steam ahead with the fair, thorough, timely process that the nominee, the Court, & the country deserve.”
Democrats have denounced Republicans’ efforts to get Barrett confirmed before election day, even though no supreme court nominee has ever been confirmed between July and November of an election year.
That criticism will likely only intensify now that Republicans are moving forward with their plans despite a health crisis in the White House.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden has reportedly received a coronavirus test and is awaiting his result.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
Biden and Trump shared a debate stage for 90 minutes on Tuesday, but the two nominees were instructed not to shake hands and to stay several feet away from each other.Biden and Trump shared a debate stage for 90 minutes on Tuesday, but the two nominees were instructed not to shake hands and to stay several feet away from each other.
According to a department of justice spokesperson, attorney general William Barr has tested negative for coronavirus.According to a department of justice spokesperson, attorney general William Barr has tested negative for coronavirus.
Spokesperson Kerri Kupec previously said Barr had not seen Trump since Saturday, when the president announced the supreme court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett.Spokesperson Kerri Kupec previously said Barr had not seen Trump since Saturday, when the president announced the supreme court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett.
First lady Melania Trump confirmed she, like her husband, is experiencing mild symptoms of coronavirus.First lady Melania Trump confirmed she, like her husband, is experiencing mild symptoms of coronavirus.
“Thank you for the love you are sending our way,” the first lady said in a tweet. “I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good. I am looking forward to a speedy recovery.”“Thank you for the love you are sending our way,” the first lady said in a tweet. “I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good. I am looking forward to a speedy recovery.”
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed moments ago that the president is also showing mild symptoms.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed moments ago that the president is also showing mild symptoms.
A White House spokesperson previously told CNN that the president and first lady’s son, Barron, had tested negative for the virus.A White House spokesperson previously told CNN that the president and first lady’s son, Barron, had tested negative for the virus.
Despite Mark Meadows’ confirmation that the White House learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday afternoon, there is still some confusion around the exact timeline of notification.Despite Mark Meadows’ confirmation that the White House learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday afternoon, there is still some confusion around the exact timeline of notification.
A New York Times reporter noted White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was abruptly pulled from the president’s trip to New Jersey, which was before Marine One took off for Joint Base Andrews.A New York Times reporter noted White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was abruptly pulled from the president’s trip to New Jersey, which was before Marine One took off for Joint Base Andrews.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said senior officials learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday afternoon.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said senior officials learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday afternoon.
However, several other senior White House staffers did not learn of the news until last night, according to CNN. Some even learned from media reports.However, several other senior White House staffers did not learn of the news until last night, according to CNN. Some even learned from media reports.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows would not provide details on what treatment the president is receiving after testing positive for coronavirus.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows would not provide details on what treatment the president is receiving after testing positive for coronavirus.
“He’s in the residence now, and in true fashion, he’s probably critiquing the way that I’m answering these questions,” Meadows told reporters at the White House.“He’s in the residence now, and in true fashion, he’s probably critiquing the way that I’m answering these questions,” Meadows told reporters at the White House.
Meadows said he and another senior White House adviser, Dan Scavino, had tested negative for the virus.Meadows said he and another senior White House adviser, Dan Scavino, had tested negative for the virus.
“At the same time, I fully expect that as this virus continues to go on, other people in the White House will certainly have a positive test result,” Meadows said.“At the same time, I fully expect that as this virus continues to go on, other people in the White House will certainly have a positive test result,” Meadows said.
Meadows also confirmed the White House learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday, as Marine One was taking off to start the president’s trip to New Jersey.Meadows also confirmed the White House learned of Hope Hicks’ positive test result yesterday, as Marine One was taking off to start the president’s trip to New Jersey.
Despite that, Trump continued on to New Jersey and held a fundraising event with donors.Despite that, Trump continued on to New Jersey and held a fundraising event with donors.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed that Trump is currently experiencing mild symptoms from coronavirus.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows confirmed that Trump is currently experiencing mild symptoms from coronavirus.
“The president does have mild symptoms,” Meadows told reporters at the White House. “The doctors continue to monitor both his health and the health of the first lady.”“The president does have mild symptoms,” Meadows told reporters at the White House. “The doctors continue to monitor both his health and the health of the first lady.”
Meadows said the president remains “very energetic” and is paying close attention to the economy and coronavirus relief negotiations despite his illness.Meadows said the president remains “very energetic” and is paying close attention to the economy and coronavirus relief negotiations despite his illness.
Meadows spoke to reporters without wearing a mask.Meadows spoke to reporters without wearing a mask.
This video from 2016 is making the rounds again, after Trump announced he and the first lady has tested positive for coronavirus.
In the video, Trump reacts to the news that Hillary Clinton had contracted pneumonia during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump said, “Here’s a woman, she’s supposed to fight all of these different things, and she can’t make it 15 feet to her car. Give me a break.”
Trump’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, sent an internal note to staff encouraging them to “immediately begin self-quarantining” if they have had exposure to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, according to reports.
Stepien also encouraged employees to wear masks, frequently wash their hands and practice social distancing.
Trump has previously encouraged Americans to wear masks, but the president himself has frequently been seen in public not wearing a mask.
At the president’s recent campaign rallies, most of which have been outdoors, many attendees have been photographed not wearing masks and not practicing social distancing.
House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff opened a hearing this morning by wishing the president and the first lady a swift recovery.
“Let me just express my best wishes to the president and the first lady for a speedy recovery from Covid-19,” Schiff said.
“I know we were all quite shocked and distressed this morning to learn of their illness, and we hope for a very speedy recovery. They’ll be very much in our thoughts.”
Schiff was the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s Senate trial earlier this year, making him a frequent target of the president’s ire. Trump has repeatedly referred to the Democratic congressman as “Shifty Schiff.”
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said the president’s positive coronavirus test result would not disrupt Republicans’ plans to get supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett confirmed quickly.
“We can move forward. Our biggest enemy obviously is ... the coronavirus, keeping everybody healthy and well and in place to do our job,” McConnell told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt this morning. “We don’t anticipate any kind of unanticipated event that could throw us off schedule.”
Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee, similarly said Barrett’s confirmation hearings were still “on track” to begin on October 12.
Supreme court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has tested negative for coronavirus, a White House official told the National Journal.
That news should reassure the dozens of Republican senators who met with Barrett this week.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris has reportedly tested negative for coronavirus.
Harris also echoed Joe Biden’s warm wishes to the president and the first lady for a speedy recovery.
“Doug and I join Joe Biden and Dr. Biden in wishing President Trump and the First Lady a full and speedy recovery,” Harris said in a tweet. “We’re keeping them and the entire Trump family in our thoughts.”
Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican national committee, has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus.
The New York Times reports:
The White House said Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and senior adviser, and her husband, Jared Kushner, had received another coronavirus test this morning.
Both of the White House advisers tested negative.
The president’s youngest son, Barron Trump, has also tested negative for the virus and is taking precautions to avoid catching it, per CNN.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was grateful the vice president had tested negative for coronavirus.
“Thank God the vice president has tested negatively and the second lady as well,” Pelosi told MSNBC. “That continuity of government is always in place.”
The Democratic speaker said she had also taken a coronavirus test this morning and was waiting on the results.
Pelosi met with treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday, but Mnuchin said this morning that he had tested negative.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the news of Trump testing positive for coronavirus in an MSNBC interview this morning.
“We all receive that news with great sadness,” Pelosi told MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle.
The Democratic speaker said she always prays for the safety of the president and his family and those prayers had “intensified” since she heard the news.
Pelosi pivoted to making a pitch for the Democrats’ coronavirus relief package, noting the president and the first lady would receive “the best of care and that’s what we want for everyone in this country.”
Pelosi also suggested this may be “a learning experience” for the president and his supporters about the importance of wearing masks and social distancing.
The speaker said Trump’s behavior in recent weeks, such as holding rallies with hundreds of attendees and avoiding wearing a mask in most settings, were a “brazen invitation” for coronavirus.
Pelosi expressed hope that this moment will be an opportunity to take a “saner approach” to limiting the spread of the virus.