President Donald Trump revealed early Friday that he and his wife had both tested positive for coronavirus, an unprecedented occurrence in the coming months of a worldwide pandemic, and in the final stage of his re-election campaign in which he has flouted experts medical advice on disease prevention.
The diagnosis is by far the most serious known health threat to a serving American president in decades. At the age of 74 and obese, Trump fell into the top risk category for major illness complications that killed more than 200,000 Americans and more than 1 million people worldwide.
His diagnosis with the disease could prove destabilizing in an increasingly fraught political climate, and the stock market’s prospects collapsed in the news of Trump’s diagnosis.
Trump tweeted the news on his account on Friday. Later, the first lady wrote on Twitter that she and her husband were “feeling good.”
Trump was last seen in public on Thursday afternoon, heading to the White House after a fund-raising trip to New Jersey. He did not look sick, but he did not speak to reporters when he stepped into his home.
A memo was given to reporters at 1 a.m. ET, the President’s medical advisor, Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley stated that he had obtained proof of the positive tests on Thursday night.
“The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence,” Conley wrote.
“The White House medical team and I will maintain a vigilant watch, and I appreciate the support provided by some of our country’s greatest medical professionals and institutions,” Conley wrote, without elaborating what assistance was being provided to the White House.
“Rest assured I expect the President to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any further developments,” he wrote.
The President said late Thursday night that he had intended to quarantine after one of his nearest assistants, Hope Hicks, had tested positive for the disease, taking the epidemic to its innermost range. Earlier in the night, he had decelerated the propagation of the virus.
“The end of the pandemic is in sight,” he said during prerecorded remarks at the annual Al Smith dinner, held virtually because of the health crisis.
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