Trump tweets video before going to Walter Reed hospital with COVID-19: live updates
President Donald Trump was headed to the hospital Friday after he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19, raising fresh questions about the president's health.
Outpourings of support and well-wishes for the president have flooded in for the president, 74. In addition to the concerns about the Trumps' health, the positive test results raise many questions about the impact the development could have on the presidential election, which is just 32 days away.
Democratic presidential nominee former Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden and vice presidential nomineee Sen. Kamala Harris tested negative Friday, as did Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence.
A negative test means only that the person was not infected at the time of testing. Because the virus' incubation period can be up to 14 days, a negative test earlier in that time frame does not mean a person was not infected.
Before leaving for Walter Reed, Trump tweeted an 18-second video of himself saying he thinks he is doing very well and thanking supporters.
Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide
Follow here for the latest updates on the first couple's infection and its potential ramifications.
☕ The latest:
- What's Trump's risk?: Because of his age and obesity, Trump is in two very high-risk groups for developing severe COVID-19 disease.
- Test results coming in: A running list of who is positive and who is negative in the Trump administration and beyond
- Where Trump has been: Trump has been traveling and meeting with people a lot over the past few days, including trips to Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, plus a White House ceremony to nominate Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
📆 32 days until Election Day, five days until the vice presidential debate, 110 days until Inauguration Day, 91 days left in 2020.
🗳️ Voting: See USA TODAY's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote, when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues.
We will update this article throughout the day. You can follow all of USA TODAY's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter.
Trump hospitalized, gets experimental drug Regeneron
President Trump was being taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Friday in what aides said was a precautionary move. Officials said they expected him to be there for a few days.
The president received a single 8 gram dose of Regeneron's experimental polyclonal antibody cocktail as a precautionary measure, according to a memo from White House physician Dr. Sean Conley. The antibody cocktail us is currently being studied in four late-stage clinical trials and its safety and efficacy have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority, the company said on its page.
He also has been taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and a daily aspirin, Conley said.
"As of this afternoon, the President remains fatigued but in good spirits," Conley said, according to the memo.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters earlier Friday that the president is experiencing mild symptoms but that he was in good spirits.
"He continues to be not only in good spirits but very energetic. We talked a number of times this morning," Meadows said. "The American people can rest assured that we have a president that is not only on the job [but] will remain on the job, and I'm optimistic that you'll have a very quick and speedy recovery."
Trump turned 74 in June, putting him at five-times higher risk of hospitalization than someone in their 20s, according to the CDC. Trump's weight for his height puts him just over the boundaries of what's considered obese, putting him at three-times higher risk of a serious infection compared to someone at a healthier weight, according to the CDC.
— Courtney Subramanian
Biden campaign pulls all negative ads as president heads to hospital
Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is taking down all negative advertising as a result of President Donald Trump testing positive for COVID-19, according to a campaign aide.
The move by the Democratic presidential nominee was made before Trump early Friday evening was transported to Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Md., the source said. The Biden campaign’s positive advertising will remain on television.
Biden went ahead with a campaign event at Grand Rapids, Michigan on Friday afternoon, wearing a mask throughout as he gave his usual campaign pitch about the economy and adding jobs.
The Biden campaign has not announced any changes to the former vice president’s campaign schedule.
Vice Presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris held a fundraiser with President Barack Obama on Friday afternoon that was already scheduled.
— Joey Garrison
Trump is not the first president to be hospitalized: Line of succession, explained
If Trump's condition worsens, leaving him incapacitated, the Constitution provides for a line of authority to steer the government in his absence.
Under the 25th Amendment, the president could notify House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and the Senate majority's senior member, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, that he is unable to function, transferring power to Vice President Mike Pence until the president indicates that he is able to return.
This has happened when other presidents have gone to Walter Reed and were under anesthesia for colonoscopies, for example.
The process of succession should the president become incapacitated is delicate, said former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. In some cases, such as the president being anesthetized, the need to transfer authority has a relatively clear beginning and end. It becomes more cloudy when illness sets in.
“To be frank, when something happens to the president, a lot of it rests on the good judgment and common sense of the people around the president," Panetta said.
Panetta urged the White House to be forthcoming about Trump's condition.
"It is extremely important to keep the public fully informed about what is happening," Panetta said. "It is particularly critical that information about the president's health is presented openly. The tendency is 'don’t panic the public, don’t tell the full story.' But I think it’s essential that the public know exactly what is going on. I really urge the White House not to pull any punches. Have the doctors stand up and make very clear news with regards to the president’s heath. It is the public's business to know what's going on."
Biden tests negative: 'We will continue to pray' for Trump and family
Former Vice President Joe Biden has tested negative for coronavirus, according to his personal physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor, who said Biden and his wife Jill were each tested and "COVID-19 was not detected."
"Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern," Biden said in a tweet. "I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands."
The Bidens said they will "continue to pray" for the president and first lady.
"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," the former vice president tweeted Friday morning.
Biden's running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, and her husband Doug Emhoff also offered the president and first lady wishes for a speedy recovery.
"Doug and I join Joe Biden and Dr. Biden in wishing President Trump and the First Lady a full and speedy recovery," Harris said in a tweet. "We’re keeping them and the entire Trump family in our thoughts."
- Bart Jansen
Melania Trump 'overall feeling good'
First lady Melania Trump, who has tested positive for COVID-19, said Friday she has "mild symptoms" but is "overall feeling good."
"Thank you for the love you are sending our way. I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good. I am looking forward to a speedy recovery," the first lady tweeted.
Conley said the first lady was experiencing only a "mild cough and headache."
Melania Trump has a mixed record of wearing face masks in public, but does so more than the president.
The first lady also faced other bad news as she faced backlash to secretly recorded conversations between her and her former assistant, which were revealed before her COVID-19 diagnosis.
On the tapes, she refers to the border crisis: "They say, 'What about the children that are separated?' Give me a f---ing break," Melania Trumpsays. "I was trying to get the kid reunited with the mom. I didn't have a chance. It needs to go through the process and the law."
Amy Coney Barrett tests negative, confirmation process 'full steam ahead'
The Senate Judiciary Committee has no plans to postpone the confirmation hearings starting Oct. 12 for Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, according to committee spokesperson Kevin Bishop, who said they were moving "full steam ahead."
Barrett tested negative for COVID-19, according to White House spokesperson Judd Deere. She is tested daily and was last with Trump on Saturday, he said.
However, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday, two days after meeting with Barrett.
University of Notre Dame President the Rev. John Jenkins, who was at the announcement of Barrett’s nomination, also tested positive, the university reported, after being criticized for not wearing a mask, not social distancing and shaking hands at the event.
Lee said he has assured Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., that he "will be back to work in time to join my Judiciary Committee colleagues in advancing the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett in the Committee and then to the full Senate."
- Nicholas Wu, Elinor Aspegren and Sean Rossman
Dow is down
U.S. stocks slumped Friday after Trump said he tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 30 points in afternoon trading. Following a more than 400-point drop in early trade, the blue-chip average pared losses on optimism that Congress could deliver a coronavirus stimulus deal to help support the economic recovery.
- Jessica Menton
Beware QAnon, conspiracy theories
Followers of the extremist conspiracy group QAnon, who have concocted a variety of falsehoods about the roots of the COVID-19 pandemic since it began, scrambled to explain how Trump's positive result fits into their false premise.
Meanwhile, critics of the president circulated conspiracy theories about the announcement, questioning its legitimacy after years of Trump spreading lies and misinformation about numerous issues, including the coronavirus.
Avoid falling for disinformation by slowing down, reading the story (not just the headline) and vetting your sources.
- Nathan Bomey
Trump cancels campaign rally
The Trump campaign cancelled a rally in Florida today and campaign manager Bill Stepien said previously announced events involving the president's participation are being moved on-line or postponed as are those involving members of the First Family.
Aside from the Florida rally, the campaign had scheduled four others in the coming days: two in Wisconsin Saturday and two in Arizona (one Monday, the other Tuesday).
Vice President Mike Pence, who has tested negative for COVID-19, plans on resuming his scheduled campaign events, he said.
Not only has Trump's diagnosis upended the campaign schedule but for months, Trump has accused Biden of "hiding in his basement" while he resumed rallies. Now the roles are reversed with Biden back on the trail, albeit in a socially distanced way. That could cost Trump, say some political analysts.
- Ledyard King
What does this mean for the debates?
The debate between Vice President Mike Pence and vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris and moderated by USA TODAY's Susan Page remains set for Oct. 7 in Salt Lake City.
But representatives of the Commission on Presidential Debates did not immediately respond to requests to comment about the future of the presidential debates set for Oct. 15 and Oct. 22.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said if Trump "feels up to it" the second debate should go forward perhaps remotely.
"We’re doing an awful lot of things remotely these days because of the coronavirus," he told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Friday. "Hopefully, they’ll be able to do this as well."
- Phillip Bailey, Joey Garrison, Ledyard King
Capitol tweaks COVID-19 testing strategy after Trump tests positive
The U.S. Capitol's top doctor announced a new COVID-19 testing strategy Friday that allows more flexibility for lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill to get tested after Trump contracted COVID-19.
The Office of Attending Physician Brian Monahan announced that his office was providing tests to lawmakers and staff who "have symptoms suggestive of coronavirus or who are concerned they may have been exposed to a known positive Covid 19 patient."
The new guidance, while allowing for more testing on Capitol Hill by those who request it, does not mandate tests for those who visit the Capitol – a policy that the White House has instituted. Lawmakers have been able to receive COVID-19 tests if they were showing symptoms and had been exposed to someone who tested positive, but congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle have for months rejected a stricter testing protocol that would mandate lawmakers and staff be tested. Since the pandemic started, more than a dozen lawmakers have contracted COVID-19.
"I don’t understand why the Speaker would continue to not have testing," said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told reporters it might not be a bad idea to mandate testing, adding there was a possibility of a "super spreader" event with all members of Congress flying in from districts around the country and congregating at the Capitol.
- Christal Hayes and Nicholas Wu
Barron, Ivanka and Jared test negative; Trump children went maskless at debate
Barron Trump, the 14-year-old son of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, has tested negative for the coronavirus following his parents' positive diagnosis.
“Barron has tested negative and all precautions are being taken to ensure he’s kept safe and healthy.” spokesperson Stephanie Grisham told USA TODAY.
The White House said Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both advisors to the president, tested negative for the coronavirus Friday.
Photos from Tuesday's debate show Trump's children Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, Tiffany Trump and Donald Trump Jr. in the audience not wearing masks. They are near Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez, who is seen wearing a mask. Perez tested negative.
Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, who moderated the debate Tuesday, said he, his wife and four children, who were at the debate, would be tested.
The rule was that "everybody except for the President, the Vice President and I, were supposed to wear masks. We were the only ones told that we were not to wear masks. And actually a safety personnel person from the Cleveland Clinic came up to the first family when they were seated and offered them masks in case they didn't have them and they were waved away," Wallace said. "And people in the hall noticed that they weren't wearing masks and everybody else in the hall was wearing a mask. When the debate ended, Mrs. Trump came over, walked past me, she was not wearing a mask. Mrs. Biden walked past me to her husband and she was wearing a mask. So there was a difference in the way the two families and their camps treated the health safety regulations inside the hall."
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also said Friday that during debate preparation for President Donald Trump none of the people present wore masks.
Ivanka was also criticized by her one-time friend Chelsea Clinton for "actively taking part in this administration's everyday collision of cruelty and incompetence."
- Leora Arnowitz, Sara M. Moniuszko, Joey Garrison, Will Cummings, Ledyard King
Pelosi says she's praying for Trumps
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she is praying for President Donald Trump and his family after the president and first lady Melania Trump announced they tested positive for COVID-19.
“I know that he’ll have the best of care and that’s what we want for everyone in our country," Pelosi said on MSNBC Friday morning.
She said it highlighted the urgent need for Congress to provide more resources for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and other measures to respond to the outbreak.
“We must have testing, tracing, treatment. We must have spatial distance and we must be wearing our masks,” she said.
She said she hopes this marks a turning point and a “learning experience” in the country to take the virus seriously if even the president, with all the precautions, can become infected.
She said she’d been tested Friday morning “out of an abundance of caution” because she met with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday. She noted that Mnuchin tested negative on Friday morning. She said she has some concerns about the test and the tests being used at the White House “are not as accurate as they should be.”
- Deirdre Shesgreen
Mike Pompeo and wife test negative
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, fourth in the line of succession, said he and his wife both tested negative for COVID-19 on Friday. Pompeo is currently traveling abroad and has not been in recent contact with President Donald Trump.
“I am feeling fantastic. I was tested about 30 minutes ago,” Pompeo told reporters Friday en route to Croatia. He said he has not been with Trump since Sept. 15.
“We’re praying for the President and the First Lady, that they’ll have a speedy recovery,” he said. “I spoke with the vice president’s office this morning as well. We’re taking this, obviously, very seriously, and we’ll do everything we can to keep everyone safe.”
Pompeo said he is reevaluating future travel, including a scheduled trip this weekend to Florida followed by a visit to Asia starting Sunday.
- Deirdre Shesgreen
How people are reacting:Twitter reacts after President Donald Trump announces he and Melania are positive for COVI
COVID-19's course:President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19. What's the typical course of the illness?