President Donald Trump announced early Friday that he and his wife both tested positive for the coronavirus. This is coming months after the global pandemic spread and in the final stretch of his reelection campaign.
The diagnosis has become the most serious known health threat to a sitting American president in decades, killing more than 200,000 Americans and more than 1 million people worldwide. At 74 years old, Trump falls into the highest risk category for serious complications from the disease.
In a Tweet before 1a.m. on Friday, Trump said: “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
Later, the first lady, Melania Trump wrote on Twitter that she and her husband were “feeling good.”
Trump was last seen in public on Thursday afternoon, returning to the White House after a fundraising trip to New Jersey. He did not appear ill, though he did not speak to reporters as he walked into his residence.
In a memo issued to reporters around 1 a.m. ET, the President’s physician, Navy Commander. Dr. Sean Conley, wrote that he received confirmation of the positive tests on Thursday evening.
“The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence,” Conley wrote “The White House medical team and I will maintain a vigilant watch, and I appreciate the support provided by some of our country’s greatest medical professionals and institutions,”
“Rest assured I expect the President to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any further developments,” He added.
After announcing the President’s diagnosis, the White House issued a new schedule to reflect several canceled events on Friday, including a fundraiser in Washington and a campaign rally in Florida.