The news that President and Mrs. Trump have both been infected with the new coronavirus has sparked concern in the United States and around the world. U.S. dignitaries and international community leaders have expressed their condolences to the Trumps in a variety of ways, wishing them a speedy recovery.
President Trump tweeted in the early hours of Friday morning (Oct. 2), “Melania and I tested positive tonight and began the quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this together.”
In a letter to a White House spokesman, the president’s health care provider said the president and the first lady had authorized the release of their test results.
The White House confirmed later in the day that President Trump was showing “mild symptoms” of the new coronavirus infection; first lady Melania Trump tweeted that she, too, was showing mild coronavirus symptoms, but added that she was “feeling good overall.
White House chief of staff Meadows told reporters Friday morning that he had had several conversations with President Trump and that Trump was “in good spirits and remains energized” and, as usual, explained the five or six things he had to do.
Greetings from U.S. dignitaries
Secretary of State Pompeo tweeted on the morning of October 2: “President Trump and the First Lady’s health is in Susan’s and my thoughts and prayers at all times. Wishing you both a speedy recovery. Our country is standing strong with you!”
A Department of Defense spokesperson released a statement to the media saying, “Secretary and Mrs. Esper, Chairman and Mrs. Milley extend their thoughts and prayers to the President and First Lady for a speedy recovery.”
The Pentagon statement also said that Esper and Chairman Milley had met with the president at the White House on Sunday. Esper had tested negative for the new coronavirus twice before beginning his international travels. He will be tested again today and will continue his international trip as planned, without returning to the United States early.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on the American people to “pray for President Trump’s health” and said that the continuity and normal operations of the U.S. government have not been affected by the President’s health. Pelosi also said that “out of an abundance of caution,” she tested negative for the virus Friday morning.
Greetings from members of both parties in both houses of Congress
Key members of both parties in both houses of Congress have expressed their condolences to President and Mrs. Trump and wished them a speedy recovery in various ways.
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate Minority Leader, issued a statement saying, “I wish President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump a speedy recovery, as well as the rest of the infected White House staff. I join the nation in praying for the health and safety of the First Family.”
Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted, “Wishing the President, First Lady and their staff a speedy recovery. This virus is very serious and the number of cases in the US is rising again. We all need to be careful, be safe and wear masks to protect us all and save lives.”
Congressman Jim McGovern, a Democrat from Massachusetts, tweeted, “Infection with the new coronavirus is a horrible thing that too many Americans have had to deal with, including the 200,000 who have tragically died as a result. I wish the first family a speedy recovery. I am praying for our country.”
Republican GOP Senator Marco Rubio of Florida tweeted, “Praying for a speedy recovery for the President and First Lady of the United States.”
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, tweeted, “Like most Americans, I wish President Trump and the First Lady a speedy recovery.”
Graham added that the president was in good spirits when he spoke to Trump this morning and was following the upcoming hearings on Supreme Court nominee Amy Barrett with great interest.
Republican Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania tweeted, “Praying for a speedy recovery for the President and his wife and all those protesting the new crown.”
Greetings from the International Community
Following the news that President and Mrs. Trump have been infected with the new coronavirus, international leaders and dignitaries have been quick to send their greetings to Trump and the first lady.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was hospitalized for a week in April after contracting the neocoronavirus, wished President Trump a “speedy recovery.
In a direct message to Trump from the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote: “I am sure that your inherent vitality, good spirit and optimism will help you cope with the dangerous virus.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, tweeted, “My best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady for a speedy recovery.” The Trump administration has formally notified the United Nations that the U.S. will withdraw from the WHO, although the official withdrawal will not take effect until next year.
President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan tweeted, “On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, I wish President Trump and the First Lady a speedy recovery. Yes, we will get through this difficult time together.”
At press time, no official statement from the Chinese leadership or government regarding President Trump’s wife’s infection with the new coronavirus had been noted.
However, China’s official media outlet Xinhua published a brief report saying, “President Trump tweeted on his social media Twitter account in the early morning hours of October 2 that he and his wife Melania had tested positive for the new coronavirus and would immediately enter quarantine and rehabilitation procedures.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying tweeted on her official Twitter account, “Saddened to learn that President Trump and First Lady have tested positive for the new coronavirus. I hope they both recover soon and are safe and sound.”
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