President Donald Trump was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday evening amid his newfound COVID-19 diagnosis.
Video showed the president leaving the White House and waving at reporters on his way to board Marine One.
Trump later released a video to the public, saying he’s “doing very well.” It was his first tweet in approximately seven hours since announcing his diagnosis.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
Trump thanked the public for their messages of support, and said, “I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure that things work out.” He added, “The First Lady is doing very well.”
The White House confirmed Trump would be moved to the hospital and spend “a few days” there per the advice from his medical team, the Associated Press reported. Trump will conduct his duties from presidential offices at the hospital.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the move was made “out of an abundance of caution,” CNN correspondent Ana Cabrera tweeted.
WH press sec: “President Trump remains in good spirts, has mild symptoms….Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.”
— Ana Cabrera (@AnaCabrera) October 2, 2020
A statement from Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Conley on Friday afternoon, said that Trump “remains fatigued but in good spirits.” The statement added that he was undergoing evaluation by the medical team, who planned to make recommendations on the next steps of his care.
An update from President @realDonaldTrump‘s physician: pic.twitter.com/cTsXO4Df6b
— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) October 2, 2020
Trump announced in a tweet just before 1:00 a.m. EST that he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19 and were immediately beginning quarantine.
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
The president and first lady’s positive result came just hours after top Trump aide Hope Hicks tested positive for the virus following time spent with the president several days this week. Trump had announced hours earlier that he and the first lady began quarantining after Hicks’ positive test result.
Trump had attended the first presidential debate this week, several fundraising and campaign events, as well as White House meetings and events. Numerous top officials have been tested as a result. Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for the virus, as well as Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, and Trump’s recently-named Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett.
If Trump becomes too ill to continue his duties, Vice President Mike Pence will assume those responsibilities. Pence was seen with Trump on Monday, but had tested negative for the virus on Friday.
White House Strategic Communications Director Alyssa Farrah told the media that the presidential power had not been transferred to Pence.
“The president is in charge,” she said.
White House official Alyssa Farah says power has not been transferred to the vice president:
“The president is in charge”
— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) October 2, 2020
