Trump news: President’s condition ‘very concerning’ on Friday despite assurances, top aide admits
Read today’s updates from the White House
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There were conflicting reports over the status of President Trump’s health on Saturday after he was hospitalised following his coronavirus diagnosis.
Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters that Mr Trump went through a “very concerning” period on Friday, and said the next 48 hours will “be critical” to his care.
His comments contradicted an earlier assessment of Mr Trump’s health by the president’s doctor, Dr Sean Conley.
Dr Conley, who said Mr Trump was “doing very well", was forced to clarify remarks he made during a press conference on Saturday morning that suggested Mr Trump learned of his diagnosis 72 hours ago.
Had the president been diagnosed on Wednesday, that would mean he attended a fundraiser in Minneapolis, held a rally later that night and flew on Air Force One to attend another fundraiser in New Jersey the next day, all while being infected with the coronavirus that has killed more than 200,000 Americans.
Dr Conley subsequently said that he misspoke and that Mr Trump was three days into his illness.
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Melania Trump ‘doing well’, chief of staff says
The First Lady is “doing well” after testing positive for coronavirus and “remains in touch with her husband”, her chief of staff Stephanie Grisham has told NBC News.
Democrats send prayers as Trump campaign attacks ‘Lyin Obama’
Barack Obama wished Donald Trump a “speedy recovery” last night after the president was taken to hospital - but that didn’t stop the Trump re-election campaign from renewing its political attack adds.
“Although we’re in the midst of a big political fight, and we take that very seriously, we also want to extend our best wishes to the president of the United States, the first Lady,” Obama said at a grassroots virtual fundraiser with VP nominee Kamala Harris.
At the same time a Trump 2020 sent out a fundraising email attacking the former president as well as Joe Biden and Senator Harris for their “coastal elite fundraiser”.
Trump watchers play ‘spot the nuclear football’
As Donald Trump was taken to hospital last night, several observers were keen to point out the “nuclear football” being carried on to the helicopter.
The US president is always followed by the “Emergency Satchel” wherever he goes so he can potentially launch a nuclear strike at short notice.
Republicans criticised over flight home after Trump encounter
Three Republican congressmen from Minnesota are facing criticism for taking a commercial flight home from Washington just two days after they were on Air Force One with Donald Trump.
Pete Stauber, Tom Emmer and Jim Hagedorn were on a Delta Air Lines flight Friday night despite its restrictions on passengers recently exposed to COVID-19. Trump announced early Friday that he had tested positive for the virus.
Delta's policy says customers who know they were exposed to the virus in the past 14 days cannot travel. The airline defines exposure as face-to-face contact with someone with the virus or sustained contact for more than 15 minutes less than 6 feet (2 meters) apart.
State Democratic Party chairman Ken Martin said the three congressmen put the health and safety of other passengers at serious risk.
However Mr Hagedorn responded on Facebook by describing the story as a “smear". He said: “We were not exposed to COVID (15 minutes and within 6 feet of close contact) and we were tested and received “negative” results prior to flying home to Minnesota yesterday.”
We’re still awaiting the latest statement from White House physician Sean Conley, which is already running ten minutes late.
Florida senator ‘misspoke’ on Covid test
Republican senator Rick Scott has confused the nation - and apparently himself- by saying on TV that he had tested positive for coronavirus - only to correct himself minutes later.
Who in Trump’s inner circle has been tested?
While we’re waiting for an update from the president’s doctor, here’s a rundown of who has been tested in Donald Trump’s inner circle.
Who in Trump’s inner circle has been tested?
A number of the president’s closest allies have been tested positive for Covid-19
Pence tests negative again ahead of rally
Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence tested negative for Covid-19 again this morning.
Mr Pence still plans to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday. He and Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris will participate in a vice presidential debate in the city on Wednesday. He will also attend a campaign rally next week.
Mike Pence tests negative for coronavirus ahead of debate and rally
The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent.
We’re still waiting for Trump’s physician Dr Sean Conley to give an update on the president’s condition.
There’s a lot of discussion about how much information he will give. But, beyond that, others are questioning his reliability and independence.
Trump ‘doing well’
Donald Trump’s physician Dr Sean Conley says the president is “doing very well” and states that his condition is improving.
Trump's doctor delivers update on president's health after Covid diagnosis
‘This morning, the president is doing very well’
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