Trump, First Lady Test Positive For COVID-19

Topline

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus, Trump announced in a tweet.

Key Facts

Key Background

Throughout the pandemic, Trump has downplayed the coronavirus and the 207,000 American death toll, which is more than any other country in the world. Trump continues to insist that a vaccine will be widely available before the end of the year, contradicting the government’s own scientists. He has held at least three indoor, crowded campaign rallies with little social distancing and mask usage. And during the presidential debate on Tuesday, Trump mocked Biden for wearing a mask too often. “When needed, I wear masks. 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,” he said.

What’s Next

The White House nixed Trump’s planned schedule for Friday, which now only has one item: A “phone call on COVID-19 support to vulnerable seniors.”