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Donald Trump tests positive for Covid and goes into quarantine – live updates Donald Trump tests positive for Covid and goes into quarantine – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Latest news: President to quarantine days after taking part in TV debate and campaign rally in MinnesotaLatest news: President to quarantine days after taking part in TV debate and campaign rally in Minnesota
If you are just joining us, here’s a summary from my colleague Helen Sullivan of what we know so far:
Donald Trump and Melania Trump have tested positive for coronavirus. The news came after one of the president’s most senior advisers, Hope Hicks, tested positive on Thursday. Trump broke the news of the couple’s infection on Twitter.
Hicks had flown with the president on Air Force One earlier on Wednesday and accompanied him to the first presidential debate against Democratic candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday in Cleveland, Ohio.
Trump confirmed on Fox News on Thursday evening that he and First Lady Melania Trump were awaiting the results of coronavirus tests following Hicks’s positive test.
Trump’s doctor confirmed that the president and first lady would “remain at home within the White House during their convalescence”. How long this convalescence lasts will depend on how ill the pair get. Even if Trump tests negative within the next 14 days, he will almost certainly be unable to attend rallies in three key states – Wisconsin, Florida and Arizona – as well as the next presidential debate, which is scheduled for 15 October.
If Trump becomes too ill to lead the country, vice president Mike Pence will be placed in charge. If Pence is also incapacitated, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would be the most likely person to take over.
Pence attended a White House coronavirus task force briefing with Trump on Monday. Pence did not attend the presidential debate.
There are fears that Trump may have exposed Joe Biden to the virus during Tuesday night’s TV debate. Biden is expected to get tested for coronavirus this morning.
CNN are reporting that “a source familiar with his plans” has told them that former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is planning to get a coronavirus test this morning, in light of the news of Donald Trump’s positive diagnosis.
A scramble is under way in Washington to determine how far coronavirus infection has spread in the top ranks of US leadership after Donald Trump tested positive, in a week that included a presidential debate, political rallies and White House meetings with Congress.
The White House said its medical unit had begun contact-tracing on Thursday. Among those who may have been exposed is the Democratic challenger for the presidency, Joe Biden, who stood a few feet away from Trump for the 90 minutes of Tuesday night’s televised debate. Epidemiologists said that if Trump tested positive on Thursday morning he could have been infectious at that time.
The two candidates did not shake hands under Covid rules, and their lecterns were about 10ft apart, but for the majority of the debate the president was speaking, sometimes at high volume, in Biden’s direction in an indoor venue in Cleveland.
Saskia Popescu, an epidemiologist and assistant professor at the George Mason University, said it was “entirely possible” Biden had been exposed, as Trump would have been infectious for 48 before testing positive.
Also on the list for possible exposure is the vice-president, Mike Pence, the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, Trump’s pick for the supreme court, Amy Coney Barrett, and the Senate Republicans they visited this week to prepare for Barrett’s confirmation hearings.
The list also include Trump’s children and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, along with other senior White House staffers who accompanied Trump from Washington to the Cleveland debate and back. Few if any of them are reported to have worn masks on Air Force One.
Read more here: Fears Joe Biden may have been exposed after Trump tests positive for Covid
Jake Sherman from Politico has these thoughts on some of the ramifications of Donald Trump contracting coronavirus.
He notes that there is a deficit of trust in the White House.
This week the regular Axios/Ipsos poll reported that
Sherman also points out that we are in uncharted territory as to what now happens with the election campaign.
Aside from the Trump-Biden debates, there may now be a question over next week’s scheduled Pence-Harris debate. If the vice president has been exposed to the virus via Donald Trump, will that event be able to go ahead?
Finally, Sherman suggests that it is an incredible blow to Trump’s campaign messaging.
There’s going to be huge scrutiny of the actions of Trump and his associates over the last few days when they may have been carrying the coronavirus.There’s going to be huge scrutiny of the actions of Trump and his associates over the last few days when they may have been carrying the coronavirus.
One video clip that is already repeatedly doing the rounds on social media is from Tuesday night’s debate. It shows the friends and family of both presidential candidates in the audience, and a lot of people are noting that while Joe Biden’s wife Jill was complying with the request that audience members should wear face masks, the Trump entourage were not. One video clip that is already repeatedly doing the rounds on social media is from Tuesday night’s debate. It shows the friends and family of both presidential candidates in the audience, and a lot of people are noting that while Joe Biden’s wife, Jill, was complying with the request for audience members to wear face masks, the Trump entourage were not.
Various world leaders have offered their best wishes to the Trumps.Various world leaders have offered their best wishes to the Trumps.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “Like millions of Israelis, Sara and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and wish our friends a full and speedy recovery.” The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said: “Like millions of Israelis, [my wife] Sara and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and wish our friends a full and speedy recovery.”
Polish president Andrzej Duda said “Our good wishes for speedy recovery to our Friends... Poland and USA will get through the hardships and succeed in fighting Covid-19”. The European nation has just recorded its highest ever single day total of new coronavirus cases. The Polish president, Andrzej Duda, said: “Our good wishes for speedy recovery to our Friends … Poland and USA will get through the hardships and succeed in fighting Covid-19.” The European nation has just recorded its highest ever single day of new coronavirus cases.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a tweet “I wish a speedy recovery to US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, who tested positive for Covid-19. I sincerely hope that they will overcome the quarantine period without problems and regain their health as soon as possible.” The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said in a tweet: “I wish a speedy recovery to US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, who tested positive for Covid-19. I sincerely hope that they will overcome the quarantine period without problems and regain their health as soon as possible.”
In a telegram, Russian president Vladimir Putin told his US counterpart “I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus.” In a telegram, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, told his US counterpart: “I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus.”
Trump may not enjoy the sentiments of French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal quite so much: “This demonstrates that the virus spares no one, including those who have shown scepticism. I wish him a swift recovery.” Trump may not enjoy the sentiments of the French government spokesperson, Gabriel Attal, quite so much: “This demonstrates that the virus spares no one, including those who have shown scepticism. I wish him a swift recovery.”
Pete Buttigieg, who earlier in the year would have hoped by now to be just a few weeks away from facing Donald Trump in an election, has added his best wishes to the growing pile of prominent US politicians to tweet about the president’s Covid diagnosis. Pete Buttigieg, who earlier in the year would have hoped by now to be just a few weeks away from facing Donald Trump in an election, has added his best wishes to the growing number of prominent US politicians to tweet about the president’s Covid diagnosis.
It makes a bit of a contrast sitting next to his previous tweet about the president of the United States a few hours earlier. It makes a bit of a contrast sitting next to his tweet about the president a few hours earlier.
Quite the opening paragraph from Matt Flegenheimer at the New York Times here: Quite the opening paragraph from Matt Flegenheimer, of the New York Times, here:
He reminds us that when the president re-started his campaign rallies, those who signed up to go to them had to agree to a waiver that they “voluntarily assume all risks” of attending. Flegenheimer won’t be the only one to point out the bravado with which Trump was talking about the virus just this week on the nation’s television screens.He reminds us that when the president re-started his campaign rallies, those who signed up to go to them had to agree to a waiver that they “voluntarily assume all risks” of attending. Flegenheimer won’t be the only one to point out the bravado with which Trump was talking about the virus just this week on the nation’s television screens.
Read it here: New York Times – A president’s positive test and the year that won’t let upRead it here: New York Times – A president’s positive test and the year that won’t let up
The news that Donald Trump has tested positive for coronavirus appears to have had an immediate effect on the world’s stock markets.The news that Donald Trump has tested positive for coronavirus appears to have had an immediate effect on the world’s stock markets.
In the US, the future contracts for both the S&P 500 and the Dow industrials dropped nearly 2%, and were trading around 1.2% lower several hours later. Oil prices tumbled about 3%.In the US, the future contracts for both the S&P 500 and the Dow industrials dropped nearly 2%, and were trading around 1.2% lower several hours later. Oil prices tumbled about 3%.
Markets hate uncertainty – and the positive test for the leader of the world’s largest economy heaps plenty of that on to a growing pile of unknowns that investors are grappling with, including how it might affect the November election and potential repercussions on trade, tariffs and many other issues beyond.Markets hate uncertainty – and the positive test for the leader of the world’s largest economy heaps plenty of that on to a growing pile of unknowns that investors are grappling with, including how it might affect the November election and potential repercussions on trade, tariffs and many other issues beyond.
“To say this potentially could be a big deal is an understatement,” Rabobank said in a commentary. “Anyway, everything now takes a back seat to the latest incredible twist in this US election campaign.”“To say this potentially could be a big deal is an understatement,” Rabobank said in a commentary. “Anyway, everything now takes a back seat to the latest incredible twist in this US election campaign.”
My colleague Kalyeena Makortoff has the controls on our business live blog today, and you can follow the market reaction there …My colleague Kalyeena Makortoff has the controls on our business live blog today, and you can follow the market reaction there …
I imagine every news organisation in the world is scrambling journalists to go back through exactly what Trump did this week, including who he met and where. Elliot Hannan, at Slateargues that the White House deliberately put people at risk:I imagine every news organisation in the world is scrambling journalists to go back through exactly what Trump did this week, including who he met and where. Elliot Hannan, at Slateargues that the White House deliberately put people at risk:
Read it here: Slate – The White House knew Trump had likely been exposed to the virus. He traveled and held events anywayRead it here: Slate – The White House knew Trump had likely been exposed to the virus. He traveled and held events anyway
So far, judging by the statement from the president’s physician and the tweet from Trump himself, we can surmise that the president doesn’t feel particularly unwell. However, at his age and in his condition, he is at higher risk of complications. Melissa Davey writes for us:So far, judging by the statement from the president’s physician and the tweet from Trump himself, we can surmise that the president doesn’t feel particularly unwell. However, at his age and in his condition, he is at higher risk of complications. Melissa Davey writes for us:
Read more here: Donald Trump’s age and weight may cause Covid complications, doctors sayRead more here: Donald Trump’s age and weight may cause Covid complications, doctors say
As you can well imagine, for a figure who has divided the public in the way Trump has, there has been a mixed reaction to the news he has tested positive for coronavirus. Maanvi Singh rounds that up for us here:As you can well imagine, for a figure who has divided the public in the way Trump has, there has been a mixed reaction to the news he has tested positive for coronavirus. Maanvi Singh rounds that up for us here:
Read it here: Prayers and criticism as public figures react to Trump Covid newsRead it here: Prayers and criticism as public figures react to Trump Covid news
More than one person on social media has picked up on the fact that when Donald Trump tweeted that he had tested positive for coronavirus, he used a proper name for it, rather than any of the more controversial ways he has been labelling it over the last few months.More than one person on social media has picked up on the fact that when Donald Trump tweeted that he had tested positive for coronavirus, he used a proper name for it, rather than any of the more controversial ways he has been labelling it over the last few months.
Here’s a video report from Maanvi Singh earlier in the year, where she looked at all the ways Donald Trump had been contradicting and defying science during the coronavirus outbreak.Here’s a video report from Maanvi Singh earlier in the year, where she looked at all the ways Donald Trump had been contradicting and defying science during the coronavirus outbreak.
Here’s David Smith for us in Washington, describing Donald Trump catching the coronavirus as “a surprise that many saw coming”.Here’s David Smith for us in Washington, describing Donald Trump catching the coronavirus as “a surprise that many saw coming”.
Read more here: Trump’s positive Covid test was a surprise that many saw comingRead more here: Trump’s positive Covid test was a surprise that many saw coming
Tulsi Gabbard, who was a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, is among many people who have wished the president and his wife well this morning. Gabbard also sent her best wishes to the Trump children.Tulsi Gabbard, who was a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, is among many people who have wished the president and his wife well this morning. Gabbard also sent her best wishes to the Trump children.
Trump has also received messages of support from numerous world leaders, including the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, who contracted coronavirus earlier this year and spent some time in intensive care in hospital in London.Trump has also received messages of support from numerous world leaders, including the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, who contracted coronavirus earlier this year and spent some time in intensive care in hospital in London.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, also offered his best wishes via a telegram which read: “I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus.”The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, also offered his best wishes via a telegram which read: “I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus.”
One of the questions will be who in the US government Donald Trump had contact with in recent days. The secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has just been speaking in Croatia, where he is on a mini-tour of Europe.One of the questions will be who in the US government Donald Trump had contact with in recent days. The secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has just been speaking in Croatia, where he is on a mini-tour of Europe.
He told journalists on the flight from Rome to Dubrovnik he was reconsidering his forthcoming trip to Asia as a precaution after the president’s test results, but no decision had been made yet.He told journalists on the flight from Rome to Dubrovnik he was reconsidering his forthcoming trip to Asia as a precaution after the president’s test results, but no decision had been made yet.
He said he had made no other changes that would reflect the fact he is fourth in line to succeed the president, if necessary. Vice-president, Mike Pence would take the reins if Trump was seriously incapacitated.He said he had made no other changes that would reflect the fact he is fourth in line to succeed the president, if necessary. Vice-president, Mike Pence would take the reins if Trump was seriously incapacitated.
Pompeo said both he and his wife tested negative on the plane 20 minutes before landing in Dubrovnik, and said he had last seen Trump on 15 September.Pompeo said both he and his wife tested negative on the plane 20 minutes before landing in Dubrovnik, and said he had last seen Trump on 15 September.
Here’s a reminder of how Donald Trump and his wife Melania announced that they had tested positive for coronavirus.Here’s a reminder of how Donald Trump and his wife Melania announced that they had tested positive for coronavirus.
Melania said they would be going into quarantine, “as too many Americans have done this year”. The US has the highest coronavirus caseload in the world, with the Johns Hopkins University tracker currently putting the total number of cases in the US at 7,278,384.Melania said they would be going into quarantine, “as too many Americans have done this year”. The US has the highest coronavirus caseload in the world, with the Johns Hopkins University tracker currently putting the total number of cases in the US at 7,278,384.
Here is the memorandum issued by the White House about the positive results. The president’s physician, Sean Conley, stated:Here is the memorandum issued by the White House about the positive results. The president’s physician, Sean Conley, stated:
Good morning, and welcome to our US politics live blog for Friday, which is going to be dominated by the news that the president, Donald Trump, has tested positive for coronavirus.Good morning, and welcome to our US politics live blog for Friday, which is going to be dominated by the news that the president, Donald Trump, has tested positive for coronavirus.
We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that it isn’t the only story in town. Today is the deadline for Kentucky’s attorney general to release the grand jury tapes in the Breonna Taylor case, there’s an election round the corner, and Donald and Melania Trump are just two of more than 46,000 people in the US who received positive cornavirus tests yesterday.We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that it isn’t the only story in town. Today is the deadline for Kentucky’s attorney general to release the grand jury tapes in the Breonna Taylor case, there’s an election round the corner, and Donald and Melania Trump are just two of more than 46,000 people in the US who received positive cornavirus tests yesterday.
Here’s a quick summary of where we are and what we know about Trump’s positive Covid test:Here’s a quick summary of where we are and what we know about Trump’s positive Covid test:
Donald and Melanie Trump have tested positive for coronavirus. The news came after one of the president’s most senior advisers, Hope Hicks, tested positive on Thursday. Trump broke the news on Twitter.Donald and Melanie Trump have tested positive for coronavirus. The news came after one of the president’s most senior advisers, Hope Hicks, tested positive on Thursday. Trump broke the news on Twitter.
Hicks had flown with the president on Air Force One earlier on Wednesday and accompanied him to the first presidential debate against the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, on Tuesday in Cleveland, Ohio.Hicks had flown with the president on Air Force One earlier on Wednesday and accompanied him to the first presidential debate against the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, on Tuesday in Cleveland, Ohio.
Trump confirmed on Fox News on Thursday evening that he and the first lady were awaiting the results of tests following Hicks’s positive result.Trump confirmed on Fox News on Thursday evening that he and the first lady were awaiting the results of tests following Hicks’s positive result.
Trump’s doctor confirmed the couple would “remain at home within the White House during their convalescence”. How long this lasts will depend on how ill the pair get. Even if Trump tests negative within the next 14 days, he will almost certainly be unable to attend rallies in three key states – Wisconsin, Florida and Arizona – as well as the next presidential debate, which is scheduled for 15 October.Trump’s doctor confirmed the couple would “remain at home within the White House during their convalescence”. How long this lasts will depend on how ill the pair get. Even if Trump tests negative within the next 14 days, he will almost certainly be unable to attend rallies in three key states – Wisconsin, Florida and Arizona – as well as the next presidential debate, which is scheduled for 15 October.
If Trump becomes too ill to lead the country, the vice-president, Mike Pence, will take charge. If Pence is also incapacitated, the House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, would be the most likely person to take over.If Trump becomes too ill to lead the country, the vice-president, Mike Pence, will take charge. If Pence is also incapacitated, the House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, would be the most likely person to take over.
Pence attended a White House coronavirus taskforce briefing with Trump on Monday. Pence did not attend the presidential debate.Pence attended a White House coronavirus taskforce briefing with Trump on Monday. Pence did not attend the presidential debate.
I’m Martin Belam, and you can get in touch with me at martin.belam@theguardian.com.I’m Martin Belam, and you can get in touch with me at martin.belam@theguardian.com.