U.S. President Donald Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus, he confirmed in a tweet, with just 32 days until the U.S. election.
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19,” Trump tweeted, referring to his wife, First Lady Melania Trump. “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
The confirmation came after Hope Hicks, one of Trump’s closest aides, tested positive for the coronavirus overnight. Hicks traveled with Trump on Tuesday for his debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden in Cleveland aboard Air Force One and was pictured without a mask, and traveled with the president during his rally in Minnesota on Wednesday. Prior to confirming his positive test, Trump had said he would go into quarantine.
Trump’s weight and age put him at risk of complications from COVID-19.
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
Based on a health assessment from his doctor last year, the president is obese, and studies show that people with pre-existing conditions — including obesity — face higher risks of severe illness and death if they contract the coronavirus.
Trump’s age — 74 — is also a risk factor, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finding that the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with eight out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths reported in the U.S. among those aged 65 years and older.
White House physician Sean Conley confirmed the positive test results in a memo dated October 1 to the White House press secretary, saying that the Trumps are both “well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.”
Conley added: “Rest assured I expect the President to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments.”
Melania Trump tweeted: “We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.”
Trump has faced criticism for his dismissive attitude toward coronavirus precautions such as the wearing of face masks. During Tuesday’s presidential debate against Biden, moderator Chris Wallace, a Fox News anchor, asked Trump about his questioning of the effectiveness of masks to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Trump responded, “When needed, I wear masks,” before adding, referring to Biden, “I don’t — I don’t wear masks like him. Every time you see him, he’s got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away from me, and he shows up with the biggest mask I’ve ever seen. ”
European Council President Charles Michel, who is presiding over a two-day EU summit in Brussels, responded to Trump’s tweet announcing his diagnosis on Friday: “Wishing @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a speedy recovery. #COVIDー19 is a battle we all continue to fight. Everyday. No matter where we live.”
Polish President Andrzej Duda said: “Our good wishes for speedy recovery to our Friends @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS. #Poland and #USA will get through the hardships and succeed in fighting #COVID19.”
U.K. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick wished the Trumps well in an interview, saying “we know what it’s like to have in our case a prime minister who tested positive for COVID. And setting aside politics, we all want to see him and his wife get better soon.”
As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 2, 2020
Other world leaders who have contracted the coronavirus include Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the latter of whom who spent days in intensive care with a particularly severe case. All have faced accusations of acting too late to contain the pandemic.
Emma Anderson contributed.
This story is developing.