President Donald Trump Tests Positive for COVID-19
October 3, 2020
On Oct. 2 at 12:45 a.m., President Donald J. Trump announced via Twitter that both he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the Coronavirus. At the time of this announcement, over 7 million of Trump’s fellow Americans had tested positive for the virus.
Earlier that evening, reports had been released that President Trump’s senior counselor, Hope Hicks, had tested positive, which led to wide-scale speculation until the President confirmed his positive test result that night.
The first lady, the former white house doctor, and the current physician have all released statements that the president is either feeling well or is asymptomatic . The president’s physician has confirmed that the president will continue working from within the White House, and will carry on his duties “without disruption”.
Vice President Mike Pence was confirmed to have tested negative for the virus, and is expected to continue with the vice presidential debate this coming Wednesday. Pence released a tweet this morning wishing the president and his wife a speedy recovery.
Donald Trump’s positive COVID test places him as one of the most politically powerful people to contract the virus. Joining him on this list are British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro.
It is unknown how this event may impact the upcoming presidential election, but with only 32 days remaining until election day, the Trump campaign is sure to feel the effects of the president’s diagnosis.
