Donald Trump returns to the White House: ‘Maybe I’m immune’
Donald Trump has released a new video after returning to the White House, saying he felt ‘better than 20 years ago.’
Donald Trump has released a video after arriving back at the White House from Walter Reed hospital, saying he felt “better than 20 years ago.”
Dressed in a suit and tie and speaking strongly, Mr Trump said: “I could have left two days ago. I felt great, better than 20 years ago.”
He added: “I’m better. Maybe I’m immune.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
Mr Trump said he had “learned so much” about the disease and told others suffering from it: “Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t let it take over your lives.”
Touching on his controversial outing from hospital on Monday (AEDT), he said: “I knew there was danger but I stood out front, I led.
“I knew there was a risk but that’s OK”.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
Mr Trump arrived back at the White House earlier today after leaving Walter Reed military hospital, saying he feels “really good” and telling people not to be afraid of the coronavirus.
Mr Trump removed his mask and saluted as he left Marine One after a short helicopter ride, after four days of hospital treatment for Covid-19.
Shortly before he left hospital, Mr Trump tweeted: ‘Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon! The Fake News only shows the Fake Polls.”
Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon!!! The Fake News only shows the Fake Polls.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
Mr Trump left hospital in Marine One, which landed in grounds of Walter Reed 15 minutes earlier.
BREAKING: Marine One lands at Walter Reed Military Medical Center to take President Trump to White House pic.twitter.com/VG4xyogEdg
— Breaking News Global (@BreakingNAlerts) October 5, 2020
“I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Centre today at 6.30pm (9.30am AEDT),” the president tweeted. “Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life ... I feel better than I did 20 years ago.”
I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
He said the Trump administration had overseen the development of “really great” drugs and knowledge.
Mr Trump also plans to participate in the next presidential debate on October 16 (AEST), his campaign communications director has told CNN.
“It is the President’s intention to debate,” Tim Murtaugh said when asked about the debate, which will take place in Miami, Florida. Unlike the first, combative debate, the second will take the form of a town hall where the audience will pose questions to Mr Trump and Joe Biden questions.
Tweeting about his plans to leave hospital, Mr Trump hit back at those who criticised him for endangering the health of secret service agents doing a drive-past of supporters outside the hospital on Monday.
“It is reported the media is upset because I got into a secure vehicle to say thank you to the many fans and supporters who were standing outside of the hospital for many hours, and even days, to pay their respects to their president. If I didn’t do it, Media would say RUDE!!!”
It is reported that the Media is upset because I got into a secure vehicle to say thank you to the many fans and supporters who were standing outside of the hospital for many hours, and even days, to pay their respect to their President. If I didn’t do it, Media would say RUDE!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
Mr Trump’s doctor said the President is not yet “out of the woods.”
“Though he may not entirely be out of the woods yet, the team and I agree that all our evaluations and most importantly his clinical status support the president’s safe return home where he’ll be surrounded by world-class medical care 24/7,” White House physician Sean Conley told reporters.
“We are in a bit of uncharted territory when it comes to a patient that received the therapies he has so early in the course,” he added.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said he had spoken with the president on Monday and that he was improving.
“Obviously, this is an important day,” Mr Meadows said. “The president continues to improve and is ready to get back to a normal work schedule.”
Meanwhile the coronavirus cluster in the White House has worsened with press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and two of her deputies testing positive.
Mr Trump had been pushing doctors to allow him to return to the White House rather than remain in hospital.
Ms McEnany tested positive to the virus on Tuesday (AEDT) after previously testing negative each day since last Friday (AEDT).
She briefed White House reporters without wearing a mask as recently as Monday.
Ms McEnany, who had had close dealings with several people in the West Wing, said she had no symptoms.
“As an essential worker, I have worked diligently to provide needed information to the American people at tis time,” she said in a statement. “With my recent positive test, I will begin the quarantine process and will continue working on behalf of the American people remotely.”
— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) October 5, 2020
She joins a long list of people in Mr Trump’s inner circle who have recently tested positive for the virus. These include advisers Hope Hicks, KellyAnne Conway, Chris Christie as well as campaign manager Bill Stepien and Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
Eager to portray himself as in charge despite his sickness, Mr Trump sent 15 block-capital tweets in 30 minutes overnight, appealing to voters by claiming a record of successes in his first term including tax cuts and stock market highs, and protecting gun rights and religious liberties.
BETTER & CHEAPER HEALTHCARE. VOTE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
MASSIVE REGULATION CUTS. VOTE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
SAVE OUR SECOND AMENDMENT. VOTE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
The First Lady Melania Trump, who also has COVID-19, tweeted on Tuesday that she was “feeling good”.
“My family is grateful for all of the prayers & support! I am feeling good & will continue to rest at home. Thank you to medical staff & caretakers everywhere, & my continued prayers for those who are ill or have a family member impacted by the virus,” Ms Trump tweeted.
My family is grateful for all of the prayers & support! I am feeling good & will continue to rest at home. Thank you to medical staff & caretakers everywhere, & my continued prayers for those who are ill or have a family member impacted by the virus.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 5, 2020
Twitter bans Trump death wishes
Twitter is removing tweets hoping for the demise of President Trump — a move which opened up the social platform to criticism that it should enforce the same policy for everyone.
San Francisco-based Twitter drew a line on caustic commentary after Trump’s Covid-19 hospitalisation, telling users that expressing hope for the death of anyone violates policies against abusive behavior at the one-to-many messaging service.
“Tweets that wish or hope for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against anyone are not allowed and will need to be removed,” Twitter said in a post.
Attached was a link to a Twitter policy page that said it does not tolerate content that wishes, hopes, or expresses desire for someone to die or contract a fatal disease.
The post sparked a firestorm of responses from people contending that Twitter has not been consistent about enforcing those rules.
“So... you mean to tell us you could’ve done this the whole time?” Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said in a retweet of Twitter’s message.
So... you mean to tell us you could‘ve done this the whole time? https://t.co/7OmgEYjWnI
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 3, 2020
Conservative Republicans have relentless used social media to spew venom at Ocasio-Cortez, often referred to by her initials AOC.
Fellow Democratic lawmaker Rashida Tlaib chimed in with a similar comment, tweeting, “this is messed up. The death threats towards us should have been taking more seriously.” Twitter responded with a pledge to be more even-handed.
“We hear the voices who feel that we’re enforcing some policies inconsistently,” Twitter said in response to fierce backlash.
“We agree we must do better, and we are working together inside to do so.”
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