President Donald Trump is donating his fourth-quarter 2019 salary to the Department of Health & Human Services to help in the coronavirus containment efforts.
The amount comes to one-fourth of his $400,000 annual salary as president. Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham announced the move Tuesday on Twitter that Trump made the donation to honor his commitment to help protect the American people.
“President @realDonaldTrump made a commitment to donate his salary while in office,” she tweeted. “Honoring that promise and to further protect the American people, he is donating his 2019 Q4 salary to @HHSGov to support the efforts being undertaken to confront, contain, and combat #Coronavirus.”
President @realDonaldTrump made a commitment to donate his salary while in office. Honoring that promise and to further protect the American people, he is donating his 2019 Q4 salary to @HHSGov to support the efforts being undertaken to confront, contain, and combat #Coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/R6KUQmBRl1
— Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) March 3, 2020
The president has also made several efforts to help contain the spread of coronavirus in the United States and globally. Trump requested $2.5 billion in emergency aid from Congress for coronavirus response, though Congress may pass a larger package of $6 to 8 billion.
In a tweet on Monday, Trump said he “saved many lives” when he “closed the country down to China many weeks ahead of what almost everyone recommended” despite criticism from Democrats.
I was criticized by the Democrats when I closed the Country down to China many weeks ahead of what almost everyone recommended. Saved many lives. Dems were working the Impeachment Hoax. They didn’t have a clue! Now they are fear mongering. Be calm & vigilant!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2020
However, U.S. travelers worldwide on their way home have brought the virus back with them, despite the U.S. border and security officials’ best efforts to prevent it.
To date, there are more than 100 people infected with coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, in the United States and the death toll has reached nine, all of which occurred in Washington state, according to CBS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s official numbers report 60 confirmed cases in 12 states.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency after two cases were confirmed in Manatee and Hillsborough counties. San Francisco Mayor London Breed also declared a state of emergency.
Across the globe, there are a total of 90,893 reported cases and 3,110 deaths as of Tuesday morning, according to remarks from the World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The Pentagon designated five military bases in the United States to quarantine U.S. travelers who are coming back from abroad in order to undergo tests to determine if they have the coronavirus.
President Trump also announced on Twitter on Monday that he is meeting with drug manufacturers to discuss developing a cure for the virus.
“I am meeting with the major pharmaceutical companies today at the White House about progress on a vaccine and cure. Progress being made!” Trump said.
I am meeting with the major pharmaceutical companies today at the White House about progress on a vaccine and cure. Progress being made!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2020
President Trump has previously donated parts of his salary to border enforcement, the Surgeon General’s office and Veterans’ Affairs.
