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Donald Trump releases video from hospital after positive Covid-19 test – live news Donald Trump releases video from hospital after positive Covid-19 test – live news
(32 minutes later)
US president addresses world from hospital; Joe Biden’s campaign to release results of his future testsUS president addresses world from hospital; Joe Biden’s campaign to release results of his future tests
The US is now waking up. And with that, I will hand you over to my colleague, Tom Lutz.
Have a good weekend. Thanks for following.
Among Trump’s dizzyingly-long list of contractions is how a self-described germaphobe with an obsession with personal hygiene has become a global symbol for dismissing the genuine dangers of a highly-infectious disease during a pandemic.
Trump entered the 2020 pandemic already practising many of the measures that epidemiologists have been calling for – avoiding ill people, frequent handwashing and use of alcohol gels, and eschewing handshakes.
As far back at 1993, Trump told radio host Howard Stern that he suffers “germ phobia”, admitting it “could be a psychological problem”. A year ago, the president’s mindset was thrust into the open when he was filmed reacting strongly to coughing in the Oval Office. “I don’t like that. If you’re going to cough, please, leave the room,” Trump said, shaking his head.
According to Politico, during the 2016 election campaign, it was his then-spokeswoman Hope Hicks would be on standby to offer Trump squirts of Purell hand sanitiser.
That is was possibly Hicks who transmitted the coronavirus to Trump shows how it ironically took a pandemic for the president to let his guard down. The 74-year-old has repeatedly played down the severity of the virus, stating it will “fade away”. He has often refused to wear a mask, and mocked his rival, Joe Biden, for donning one.
Why would a germaphobe become less rather than more cautious in a pandemic? Trump’s has said he wanted to “play it down” to avoid panic. Less forgivingly, his critics accuse him of cynically dismissing the virus as it spotlights his government’s failure in an election year to prevent the deaths of at least 209,000 Americans.
Trump is back to his tweeting self following relative quiet during the past few days. He has been retweeting this morning, including a post from “Black Voices for Trump” and, oddly, a tweet posted more than a year ago by mega supporters and video bloggers, Diamond and Silk.
Here is a list of some people around Trump who have tested positive:Here is a list of some people around Trump who have tested positive:
First lady Melania TrumpFirst lady Melania Trump
Senior advisor Hope HicksSenior advisor Hope Hicks
Campaign manager Bill StepienCampaign manager Bill Stepien
Former advisor Kellyanne ConwayFormer advisor Kellyanne Conway
Former governor of New Jersey Chris Christie (hospitalised)Former governor of New Jersey Chris Christie (hospitalised)
Senator Thom Tillis, Republican-North CarolinaSenator Thom Tillis, Republican-North Carolina
Senator Mike Lee, Republican-UtahSenator Mike Lee, Republican-Utah
Rev. John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame UniversityRev. John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame University
The US president is awake and has thanked supporters who gathered outside the hospital on Saturday night.The US president is awake and has thanked supporters who gathered outside the hospital on Saturday night.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Democratic candidate Joe Biden has opened his widest lead in a month in the US presidential race after Trump tested positive for the coronavirus.A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Democratic candidate Joe Biden has opened his widest lead in a month in the US presidential race after Trump tested positive for the coronavirus.
The national opinion survey, taken over 2-3 October, shows “little indication of an outpouring of support for the president beyond Trump’s core group of followers,” Reuters said.The national opinion survey, taken over 2-3 October, shows “little indication of an outpouring of support for the president beyond Trump’s core group of followers,” Reuters said.
Biden had a 10-point lead over Trump among adults who are expected to cast ballots, with 51% to 41%. The poll showed a 1 to 2 point higher lead than previous polls in recent weeks, although was still within the survey’s 5% plus or minus margin of error, so should be read with caution.Biden had a 10-point lead over Trump among adults who are expected to cast ballots, with 51% to 41%. The poll showed a 1 to 2 point higher lead than previous polls in recent weeks, although was still within the survey’s 5% plus or minus margin of error, so should be read with caution.
Saturday Night Live has chosen to sketch the Trump-Biden debate, rather than the president’s infection. Maybe they were unsure how to strike the right comedic tone:Saturday Night Live has chosen to sketch the Trump-Biden debate, rather than the president’s infection. Maybe they were unsure how to strike the right comedic tone:
The show didn’t ignore the hospitalisation altogether, though. Host Chris Rock opened by referencing the news. “President Trump is in the hospital from Covid, and I just want to say that my heart goes out to Covid,” he joked.The show didn’t ignore the hospitalisation altogether, though. Host Chris Rock opened by referencing the news. “President Trump is in the hospital from Covid, and I just want to say that my heart goes out to Covid,” he joked.
When assessing Trump’s health state it’s critical to remember coronavirus is not the type of disease where you necessarily get hit hard and fast and then slowly recover. It can be more insidious than that.When assessing Trump’s health state it’s critical to remember coronavirus is not the type of disease where you necessarily get hit hard and fast and then slowly recover. It can be more insidious than that.
Take a look at the course of the disease with Trump’s ally, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He sent out similarly upbeat messages saying he was experiencing mild symptoms, and just like Trump, he continued to work through it.Take a look at the course of the disease with Trump’s ally, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He sent out similarly upbeat messages saying he was experiencing mild symptoms, and just like Trump, he continued to work through it.
But ten days after his positive test, he was in intensive care.But ten days after his positive test, he was in intensive care.
What does this tell us? It explains why Trump’s doctors say he is “not out of the woods” and also that the first two weeks of October could feel very, very drawn out.What does this tell us? It explains why Trump’s doctors say he is “not out of the woods” and also that the first two weeks of October could feel very, very drawn out.
Here’s Johnson’s message to the British public a week after diagnosis, in comparison to Trump’s last night.Here’s Johnson’s message to the British public a week after diagnosis, in comparison to Trump’s last night.
Former US President Barack Obama has commented on Trump’s infection:Former US President Barack Obama has commented on Trump’s infection:
Good morning (if you’re in Washington DC) and hello to the rest of the world.Good morning (if you’re in Washington DC) and hello to the rest of the world.
Oliver Holmes here, booting up our US Politics live blog for what will certainly not be a lazy Sunday. Donald Trump remains hospitalised with Covid-19, with doctors administering drugs that are still in trials. The US election is just a month away.Oliver Holmes here, booting up our US Politics live blog for what will certainly not be a lazy Sunday. Donald Trump remains hospitalised with Covid-19, with doctors administering drugs that are still in trials. The US election is just a month away.
Here are the main developments for those who have been sleeping, or just taking a breather:Here are the main developments for those who have been sleeping, or just taking a breather:
Trump posted a video message on Saturday evening saying that he is “doing well”, his wife Melania is “doing very well” and the next few days will be the “real test” after he was taken to hospital with Covid-19.Trump posted a video message on Saturday evening saying that he is “doing well”, his wife Melania is “doing very well” and the next few days will be the “real test” after he was taken to hospital with Covid-19.
The 74-year-old appeared pale and a little hoarse-sounding but the video was a chance to assess his condition for the first time after conflicting reports on his health.The 74-year-old appeared pale and a little hoarse-sounding but the video was a chance to assess his condition for the first time after conflicting reports on his health.
His medical team says: “while not out of the woods yet, the team remains cautiously optimistic”.His medical team says: “while not out of the woods yet, the team remains cautiously optimistic”.
Top Trump aide Nick Luna has tested positive for Covid-19.Top Trump aide Nick Luna has tested positive for Covid-19.
Joe Biden’s campaign is committing to releasing the results of all future Covid tests the candidate takes.Joe Biden’s campaign is committing to releasing the results of all future Covid tests the candidate takes.
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo will depart for Japan on Sunday but will not go to Mongolia and South Korea as originally planned, after Trump’s diagnosis.US secretary of state Mike Pompeo will depart for Japan on Sunday but will not go to Mongolia and South Korea as originally planned, after Trump’s diagnosis.