President Donald Trump revealed late during the evening of Oct. 1 that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for 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!" the president tweeted. According to media reports, this post following the president's revelation that aide Hope Hicks had also tested positive. The president is "in good spirits" but is experiencing mild symptoms related to COVID-19, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told the media Oct. 2.
The president's physician, Sean Conley, released a memo that stated, "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."
Other world leaders, such as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, have also contracted the disease. However, it was reported Oct. 2 that Trump's Democratic rival, former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, and his wife tested negative for the virus.
NBC News reported that Vice President Mike Pence, as well as wife Karen Pence, tested negative Oct. 2. Pence has said very little publicly outside of a tweet wishing the first couple a "full and swift recovery."
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Bidenwho shared a stage with Trump in their first debate Sept. 29was expected to get tested for coronavirus Oct. 2, CNN.com noted.
Trump has repeatedly sought to downplay the pandemic. However, this development could have implications on everything from the election to interactions with foreign powers to the nomination process of Amy Coney Barrett ( who appeared with Trump Sept. 26 ) to the U.S. Supreme Court. Under the 25th Amendment, Trump could temporarily transfer power to Vice President Pence.