President Trump is experiencing “mild symptoms” after testing positive for COVID-19 on Thursday night, the president’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows confirmed Friday morning. First Lady Melania Trump has also tested positive and tweeted that she is experiencing “mild symptoms” as well.
According to Meadows, the first thing President Trump asked him Friday morning was, “How is the economy?”
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19,” the president tweeted on Thursday night. “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
First Lady Melania Trump also tweeted that she had tested positive. “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,” the first lady tweeted.
According to the press secretary for the vice president, both Vice President Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence have tested negative for the novel coronavirus.
President Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean P. Conley, released a statement confirming the president’s and the first lady’s diagnosis. “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 said.
“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 future developments.”
Joe Biden wrote a sympathetic tweet to the president following the announcement. “Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family,” Biden tweeted.
Focus President Jim Daly urged supporters of Focus on the Family to pray for the president in a statement on the news.
“In times of both individual and corporate need, Christians bring their concerns and petitions to the Lord. I hope you will join me and the entire Focus on the Family ministry in praying for President and Mrs. Trump in light of their COVID-19 diagnosis last night,” President Daly said.
“It is time to set politics aside and pray for the Trump’s health and full recovery, as well as anyone within their circle who was exposed to the virus. We believe God is sovereign and that nothing catches Him by surprise. We believe He listens to us and hears our prayers. It is always a good time to bring our cares and concerns to Him, but especially in this contentious and uneven moment.”
Sources told Fox News that the president “should be planning to delegate his authority should his symptoms become severe and his situation become extreme, citing continuity of government provisions in the 25th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”
The 25th Amendment stipulates the procedure for the Vice President to serve as the Acting President if the president becomes incapable of fulfilling his duties.
“Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President,” the 25th Amendment reads.
Fox News was also told by sources that the “internal White House group, called the ‘Continuity of Government Operations Team,’ is currently working to prevent a mass outbreak of the coronavirus among White House staff and relocate staff to multiple locations to contain exposure.”
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