White House physician Dr. Sean Conley, provided a positive update on the President Donald Trump’s health Saturday morning after Trump was flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday, despite numerous reports the president had trouble breathing and needed supplemental ofygan.
“This morning, the president is doing very well,” Conley said. Despite reports claiming Trump was having trouble breathing and needed supplemental oxygen, Conley said did not use supplemental oxygen on Friday or Saturday and said Trump never had trouble breathing.
According to the Associated Press, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Trump went through a “very concerning” period on Friday and the and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care.
Reuters reported later on Saturday that Meadows said, “The president is doing very well. He is up and about and asking for documents to review. The doctors are very pleased with his vital signs. I have met with him on multiple occasions today on a variety of issues.”
CNN reported on Friday, based on an unnamed source, who said Trump was very fatigued and had trouble breathing.
After the Saturday press briefing, another unnamed source with knowledge of the president’s health told the New York Times, “The president’s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care.”
“We’re still not on a clear path to a full recovery,” the source told the New York Times.
ABC producer John Santucci also tweeted a report from unnamed sources, claiming Trump was having trouble breathing and needed supplemental oxygen.
“NEW – Sources close to the President tell @ABC Trump was having trouble breathing & received supplemental oxygen on Friday at the White House after his oxygen levels dropped. This in part prompted the Trump to be transferred to Walter Reed w/ @KFaulders – confirming @nytimes.”
NEW – Sources close to the President tell @ABC Trump was having trouble breathing & received supplemental oxygen on Friday at the White House after his oxygen levels dropped. This in part prompted the Trump to be transferred to Walter Reed w/ @KFaulders – confirming @nytimes
— John Santucci (@Santucci) October 3, 2020
Despite the claims surrounding Trump’s health, Conley said, “At this time, the team and I are extremely happy with the progress the president has made.”
Asked if Trump had ever been on supplemental oxygan, Conley said “Right now he is not on oxygen” and said, “Yesterday and today he was not on oxygen.”
Asked if Trump had ever experienced trouble breathing, Conley said “No he has not, never did.”
During the press conference, Conley said Trump had a mild cough, some nasal congestion and fatigue on Thursday, “all of which are now improving.”
Following the press briefing, Trump tweeted, “Doctors, Nurses and ALL at the GREAT Walter Reed Medical Center, and others from likewise incredible institutions who have joined them, are AMAZING!!! Tremendous progress has been made over the last 6 months in fighting this PLAGUE. With their help, I am feeling well!”
Doctors, Nurses and ALL at the GREAT Walter Reed Medical Center, and others from likewise incredible institutions who have joined them, are AMAZING!!!Tremendous progress has been made over the last 6 months in fighting this PLAGUE. With their help, I am feeling well!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2020
During the Saturday press briefing, another member of Trump’s medical team, Dr. Sean Dooley, said Trump’s cardiac, kidney and liver functions were all normal and that the president is not on oxygen or and “is not having any difficulty breathing or walking around the White House Medical Unit upstairs.”
Dooley said the medical team was monitoring Trump closely for any signs of complications from the coronavirus or any of the therapies being used to treat him.
Dooley said Trump was in “exceptionally good spirits” and told the medical team “I fell like I could walk out of here today.”
Dr. Brian Garibaldi, another member of the medical team confirmed Trump received an antibody therapy against the coronavirus and on Friday completed his first dose of Remdesivir, administered through an IV drip. Garibaldi said the treatment plan calls for a five-day course of Remdesivir, an antiviral medication, and in May received an emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use against the coronavirus.
Garibaldi said “The big plan for today, since [Trump] is in such great spirits and doing well, is to encourage him to eat, to drink, to stay hydrated, to be up out of bed and to be working and doing the things that he needs to do to get well.”
Conley said doctors are preparing for days seven to ten of the illness, where the inflammatory phase of the illness is known to often begin and will continue to closely monitor his condition.
First Lady Melania Trump, who also tested positive for COVID-19, on Friday tweeted, “Thank you for the love you are sending our way. I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good. I am looking forward to a speedy recovery.”
Thank you for the love you are sending our way. I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good. I am looking forward to a speedy recovery.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 2, 2020
Republican Sens. Mike Lee, Thom Tillis and Ron Johnson have all tested positive for coronavirus since Trump’s diagnosis, according to CNN. Former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway
