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Trump releases hospital video amid conflicting reports of his Covid condition – live Trump releases hospital video amid conflicting reports of his Covid condition – live
(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
Joe Biden adviser Symone Sanders appeared on CNN’s State of the Union and said she was not concerned the former vice-president had been exposed to Covid-19 during last week’s presidential debate.
Sanders said that Biden had been at least six feet away from Trump, who tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday, at all times.
“On the debate stage President Trump mocked Vice president Biden for his wearing of a mask. Many folks have mocked our events, our six-feet circles, our little white circles on the ground, those are there to keep folks safe,” Sanders said.
She also said the Biden campaign wished Trump well in his recovery from Covid-19.
“We extend our thoughts and prayers to President Trump and the first lady. We are sincerely hoping that the President makes a very quick recovery and we can see him on the campaign trial soon,” she said. “No, we haven’t heard to my knowledge from the Trump campaign or the White House, but the reality is that Vice President Biden was not exposed.”
One man was not surprised by revelations that Donald Trump does not deserve his reputation as a preternaturally successful businessman and deal maker. The man who helped create the illusion.
Tony Schwartz spent hundreds of hours with Trump to ghostwrite his bestselling 1987 book The Art of the Deal, effectively creating the origin story of the brash property tycoon. It was Schwartz who coined the phrase “truthful hyperbole”, which neatly foreshadowed Trump and his supporters’ attempts to rationalize many of his false and misleading claims.
The 68-year-old writer has long disowned the president as a malignant narcissist and expressed regret for his part in constructing the mythology. So the New York Times report, detailing chronic financial losses and vast outstanding loans, confirmed his view that Trump was always better at cutting fantasy deals than making real ones.
“It’s the ultimate unmasking of the emperor with no clothes,” Schwartz said by phone from Riverdale in the Bronx, New York. “There’s nothing more important to Trump than being seen as very, very rich, which is why he’s expended so much effort in trying to claim a net worth far beyond what he actually was worth.
“The fact the evidence is unequivocal that he was not the person he claimed to be means that he’s lost the central premise on which he’s based his own self-worth, because Trump confuses personal worth with net worth. There’s nothing Trump hates more than to feel weak and vulnerable and like a failure, so he won’t allow himself to acknowledge those feelings, but they’ll be there and they will affect him.
“Unfortunately, should he be re-elected, one of the ways he’ll respond to that is he’ll take it out on everyone who he thinks diminished or belittled him along the way.”
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Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar believes hearings into the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court should be postponed.
Three Republican senators – Mike Lee, Ron Johnson and Thom Tillis – have said they have tested positive for Covid-19 in recent days.
“We’ve got the fact that three senators have it, two are on the Judiciary Committee … we don’t know how many other Republican senators had it,” Klobuchar told Fox News Sunday. “I don’t know why you would ram through this Supreme Court hearing, put people in danger.”
Barrett will tip the balance of the supreme court firmly in favor of conservatives if the Senate confirms her nomination. Fox host Chris Wallace pointed out that hearings could be made remotely if there are concerns over Covid-19. “This is for the highest court of the land and yes, we have had virtual hearings… but you need to be able to go back and forth with the nominee,” Klobuchar said.
You can read more about how Covid-19 may affect Barrett’s nomination below:
Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Jason Miller, has appeared on ABC’s This Week and disagreed with the 72% of Americans in a recent poll who said Donald Trump did not take Covid-19 seriously enough before contracting the virus.Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Jason Miller, has appeared on ABC’s This Week and disagreed with the 72% of Americans in a recent poll who said Donald Trump did not take Covid-19 seriously enough before contracting the virus.
“I think there’s a really important point here is President Trump had to take this head-on,” he said, pointing to the travel bans on China and Europe early in the pandemic. “He had to get out there as the leader not just of the country but of the free world and take this head on.”“I think there’s a really important point here is President Trump had to take this head-on,” he said, pointing to the travel bans on China and Europe early in the pandemic. “He had to get out there as the leader not just of the country but of the free world and take this head on.”
Host George Stephanopoulos asked Miller about what he described as a “cavalier” approach to masks at Trump’s public events.Host George Stephanopoulos asked Miller about what he described as a “cavalier” approach to masks at Trump’s public events.
“I’ll push back on that and say it hasn’t been cavalier at all,” Miller said. “We take it very seriously. That’s why we give everyone coming to rallies or to events – we give them masks. We check their temperature.”“I’ll push back on that and say it hasn’t been cavalier at all,” Miller said. “We take it very seriously. That’s why we give everyone coming to rallies or to events – we give them masks. We check their temperature.”
Miller struggled to explain why the president met donors at a fundraiser at his golf club in New Jersey on Thursday after his close aide, Hope Hicks, had tested positive for Covid-19.Miller struggled to explain why the president met donors at a fundraiser at his golf club in New Jersey on Thursday after his close aide, Hope Hicks, had tested positive for Covid-19.
“I can’t speak to – since I’m not part of White House operations, I’m not part of the White House medical unit – is the exact, how much time he was spending with Hope and the proximity for these things. I can’t speak to that. I’m going to let the White House do that,” he said.“I can’t speak to – since I’m not part of White House operations, I’m not part of the White House medical unit – is the exact, how much time he was spending with Hope and the proximity for these things. I can’t speak to that. I’m going to let the White House do that,” he said.
The White House pool reporters are being driven to Walter Reed Medical Center, where Donald Trump is being treated for Covid-19, so we may have an update on the president’s condition. Although, given the chaos and contradictions of yesterday’s update, we may not.The White House pool reporters are being driven to Walter Reed Medical Center, where Donald Trump is being treated for Covid-19, so we may have an update on the president’s condition. Although, given the chaos and contradictions of yesterday’s update, we may not.
Ohio governor Mike DeWine also told CNN’s State of the Union that he would have preferred Donald Trump to have worn a mask at all times during the presidential debate last week.Ohio governor Mike DeWine also told CNN’s State of the Union that he would have preferred Donald Trump to have worn a mask at all times during the presidential debate last week.
The debate took place in Cleveland, Ohio, and the president’s family did not wear masks when they were in the audience, while Trump mocked Biden for his use of masks.The debate took place in Cleveland, Ohio, and the president’s family did not wear masks when they were in the audience, while Trump mocked Biden for his use of masks.
“Do I wish – look do I wish the President had worn a mask all the time? Of course. You know, of course,” said the Republican governor.“Do I wish – look do I wish the President had worn a mask all the time? Of course. You know, of course,” said the Republican governor.
Trump tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday but it is possible members of the Trump campaign were infectious when they were in Ohio. DeWine said he had not been contacted about that possibility.Trump tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday but it is possible members of the Trump campaign were infectious when they were in Ohio. DeWine said he had not been contacted about that possibility.
“Well, they have not reached out to me. I know that I talked to the CEO of the Cleveland Clinic the other day who gave me an update, who gave me a report so I don’t know whether they have reached out to Cleveland Clinic or not. They have not talked to me about it, no,” he said.“Well, they have not reached out to me. I know that I talked to the CEO of the Cleveland Clinic the other day who gave me an update, who gave me a report so I don’t know whether they have reached out to Cleveland Clinic or not. They have not talked to me about it, no,” he said.
Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, has called Donald Trump’s positive test for Covid-19 “a cautionary tale”.Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, has called Donald Trump’s positive test for Covid-19 “a cautionary tale”.
“This should be kind of an alert to everybody, that anybody can get the virus – even the president of the United States,” DeWine said on CNN’s State of the Union.“This should be kind of an alert to everybody, that anybody can get the virus – even the president of the United States,” DeWine said on CNN’s State of the Union.
“So people who maybe haven’t worn masks in the past, I’m hoping they’ll look at this and say, ‘the president can get it, I can get it.’ It can happen to anybody, I hope that’s what happens and that’s what comes out of it.”“So people who maybe haven’t worn masks in the past, I’m hoping they’ll look at this and say, ‘the president can get it, I can get it.’ It can happen to anybody, I hope that’s what happens and that’s what comes out of it.”
Fox News’s Chris Wallace was criticized by those who thought he lost control of last week’s presidential debate, where he acted as moderator.Fox News’s Chris Wallace was criticized by those who thought he lost control of last week’s presidential debate, where he acted as moderator.
The subject came up again on Sunday when Wallace interviewed Steve Cortes, an adviser to the Trump campaign.The subject came up again on Sunday when Wallace interviewed Steve Cortes, an adviser to the Trump campaign.
The two had sparred over the Trump family’s refusal to wear masks in the audience during last week’s presidential debate, before Cortes attacked Wallace’s performance.The two had sparred over the Trump family’s refusal to wear masks in the audience during last week’s presidential debate, before Cortes attacked Wallace’s performance.
“The way you’re starting to harangue me now actually reminds me of what you did to the president… he had to debate not just Joe Biden but you as well, you were not a neutral moderator then,” said Cortes. “People can make reasonable decisions for themselves [about masks].”“The way you’re starting to harangue me now actually reminds me of what you did to the president… he had to debate not just Joe Biden but you as well, you were not a neutral moderator then,” said Cortes. “People can make reasonable decisions for themselves [about masks].”
“No, actually they can’t, they’re the rules and they’ll be kicked out next time,” Wallace said. “The president interrupted me and the vice president 145 times, so I object to saying I harangued the president, I know it’s a talking point.”“No, actually they can’t, they’re the rules and they’ll be kicked out next time,” Wallace said. “The president interrupted me and the vice president 145 times, so I object to saying I harangued the president, I know it’s a talking point.”
The heated exchange on Fox News Sunday came after Wallace highlighted the Trump family’s decision not to wear masks.The heated exchange on Fox News Sunday came after Wallace highlighted the Trump family’s decision not to wear masks.
“Everybody was tested beforehand, everybody was told to wear a mask, why did the first family and the chief of staff feel the rules for everybody didn’t apply to them?” asked Wallace.“Everybody was tested beforehand, everybody was told to wear a mask, why did the first family and the chief of staff feel the rules for everybody didn’t apply to them?” asked Wallace.
“We also believe in some element of individual choice … people were distanced and they had been tested,” Cortes answered.“We also believe in some element of individual choice … people were distanced and they had been tested,” Cortes answered.
Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Jason Miller, has appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press to discuss the president’s condition following his positive test for Covid-19.Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Jason Miller, has appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press to discuss the president’s condition following his positive test for Covid-19.
Host Chuck Todd asked Miller if he had spoken to the president since his diagnosis.Host Chuck Todd asked Miller if he had spoken to the president since his diagnosis.
“I spoke with the President yesterday afternoon and he’s in very good spirits,” said Miller. “... The president said a couple of things. Number one, that he’s going to defeat this virus, that as a nation, we’re going to defeat this virus, and our campaign is going to defeat this virus, and once he gets out of the hospital, he’s ready to get back to the campaign trail.“I spoke with the President yesterday afternoon and he’s in very good spirits,” said Miller. “... The president said a couple of things. Number one, that he’s going to defeat this virus, that as a nation, we’re going to defeat this virus, and our campaign is going to defeat this virus, and once he gets out of the hospital, he’s ready to get back to the campaign trail.
“He sounded pretty energetic, but he said something else that I thought that was important too, Chuck, and that was to be careful, and that was to remind folks to wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, make sure that if you can’t socially distance, distance to wear a mask.”“He sounded pretty energetic, but he said something else that I thought that was important too, Chuck, and that was to be careful, and that was to remind folks to wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, make sure that if you can’t socially distance, distance to wear a mask.”
The last sentence is interesting advice from the president as he said this about Joe Biden during last week’s presidential debate: ““When needed, I wear masks. I don’t wear a mask like him [Joe Biden]. Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.””The last sentence is interesting advice from the president as he said this about Joe Biden during last week’s presidential debate: ““When needed, I wear masks. I don’t wear a mask like him [Joe Biden]. Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.””
More news from the polls. A NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released on Sunday and taken after last week’s presidential debate but before Donald Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis shows Joe Biden widening his lead over the president. According to the poll, 53% of registered voters preferred Biden compared to 39% for Trump. Biden’s lead of 14 percentage points is up from the eight percentage points the last time the poll was taken, which was before the presidential debate.More news from the polls. A NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released on Sunday and taken after last week’s presidential debate but before Donald Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis shows Joe Biden widening his lead over the president. According to the poll, 53% of registered voters preferred Biden compared to 39% for Trump. Biden’s lead of 14 percentage points is up from the eight percentage points the last time the poll was taken, which was before the presidential debate.
Trump was criticised in many quarters for his belligerence during last week’s debate, although many felt neither candidate came out of the episode well. Forty-nine percent of respondents to the poll said Biden had performed better in the debate, compared to 24% for Trump. Of those surveyed, 73% said the debate would play no role in how they intend to vote in November’s election.Trump was criticised in many quarters for his belligerence during last week’s debate, although many felt neither candidate came out of the episode well. Forty-nine percent of respondents to the poll said Biden had performed better in the debate, compared to 24% for Trump. Of those surveyed, 73% said the debate would play no role in how they intend to vote in November’s election.
“Basically, last night was a snapshot of the last three and a half years. Not being able to say anything about white supremacists, being negative and being unpresidential,” said one respondent.“Basically, last night was a snapshot of the last three and a half years. Not being able to say anything about white supremacists, being negative and being unpresidential,” said one respondent.
Another respondent, who preferred Trump said: “I would say Donald Trump’s admittance of not supporting white supremacists, telling the white supremacists to stand down, so to speak, by the moderator. The other important thing was Joe Biden’s inability to form any coherent response.”Another respondent, who preferred Trump said: “I would say Donald Trump’s admittance of not supporting white supremacists, telling the white supremacists to stand down, so to speak, by the moderator. The other important thing was Joe Biden’s inability to form any coherent response.”
More findings from the Reuters/Ipsos poll mentioned below. The poll was taken after Donald Trump’s positive test for Covid-19, and it found most of those surveyed said the president should take some blame for his diagnosis.More findings from the Reuters/Ipsos poll mentioned below. The poll was taken after Donald Trump’s positive test for Covid-19, and it found most of those surveyed said the president should take some blame for his diagnosis.
Sixty-five percent of those polled agreed with the statement: “if President Trump had taken coronavirus more seriously, he probably would not have been infected.” Predictably, 90% of Democrats agreed with the statement, but so did 50% of Republicans.Sixty-five percent of those polled agreed with the statement: “if President Trump had taken coronavirus more seriously, he probably would not have been infected.” Predictably, 90% of Democrats agreed with the statement, but so did 50% of Republicans.
The poll also revealed a lack of faith in Trump’s statements on Covid-19. Fifty-five percent of those polled said the president has not been telling the public the truth about the coronavirus, with 34% saying they believe the president’s statements. Eleven percent were unsure.The poll also revealed a lack of faith in Trump’s statements on Covid-19. Fifty-five percent of those polled said the president has not been telling the public the truth about the coronavirus, with 34% saying they believe the president’s statements. Eleven percent were unsure.
The poll was taken on 2 and 3 October.The poll was taken on 2 and 3 October.
While much of the world’s attention is on Donald Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis, it’s worth remembering the virus still has a grip on large parts of America away from Washington DC.While much of the world’s attention is on Donald Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis, it’s worth remembering the virus still has a grip on large parts of America away from Washington DC.
Twenty-one states reported a rise in cases this week compared to last week. They include states such as New York and New Jersey that were hit hard in the early stages of the pandemic and have appeared to get the virus under control. Only three states – Texas, Missouri and South Carolina – reported a fall in cases. The states to report a rise are: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.Twenty-one states reported a rise in cases this week compared to last week. They include states such as New York and New Jersey that were hit hard in the early stages of the pandemic and have appeared to get the virus under control. Only three states – Texas, Missouri and South Carolina – reported a fall in cases. The states to report a rise are: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Around 42,000 new Covid-19 cases a day were reported in the US over the last seven days, which is down from the peak of new cases in July when around 67,000 new cases were being reported a day. However, the number of new cases are up from September. Health experts are worried about a rise in Covid-19 cases and deaths as colder weather means people spend more time indoors where the virus spreads more easily.Around 42,000 new Covid-19 cases a day were reported in the US over the last seven days, which is down from the peak of new cases in July when around 67,000 new cases were being reported a day. However, the number of new cases are up from September. Health experts are worried about a rise in Covid-19 cases and deaths as colder weather means people spend more time indoors where the virus spreads more easily.
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:
First lady Melania Trump
Senior advisor Hope Hicks
Campaign manager Bill Stepien
Former advisor Kellyanne Conway
Former governor of New Jersey Chris Christie (hospitalised)
Senator Thom Tillis, Republican-North Carolina
Senator Mike Lee, Republican-Utah
Rev. John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame University
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.