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- President Donald Trump surprised supporters gathered outside of the Walter Reed Medical Centre this morning after a weekend of mixed reports about his health
- Prior to the drive, the president tweeted a video thanking the hospital staff for his treatment and saying he was planning a “little surprise” for his supporters
- The move has been criticised by Dr James P.Phillips, the attending physician at Walter Reed, who labelled the stunt “insanity”
- Today’s actions come after a weekend of mixed reports about the president’s condition
- Most recently, John Hopkins doctor Brian Garibaldi, who is assisting in Trump’s treatment, said the president’s condition is much better
- In fact, he said the President could be discharged and continue his treatment in the White House as early as this evening, Australian time
President Donald Trump surprised supporters gathered outside of the Walter Reed Medical Centre this morning after a weekend of mixed reports about his health.
The president confirmed on Friday afternoon that he and his wife, Melania, had been diagnosed with COVID-19 after a close aide contracted the disease. He was hospitalised soon thereafter.
This morning, a mask-clad President Trump waved to fans in a motorcade drive-by to thank them for their support before heading back into the hospital where he is being treated.
Prior to the drive-by, the president tweeted a video thanking the hospital staff for his treatment and saying he was planning a “little surprise” to his supporters outside the hospital.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 4, 2020
Of course, the president’s actions have been met with criticism given his proximity to Secret Service members inside of the vehicle.
Dr James P.Phillips, the attending physician at Walter Reed, labelled the stunt “insanity”.
“Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die. For political theatre. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity,” Dr Phillips said on Twitter.
That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of COVID19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play.
— Dr. James P. Phillips, MD (@DrPhillipsMD) October 4, 2020
The President has not been active on Twitter since his video this morning.
Mixed reports
Today’s actions come after a weekend of mixed reports about the president’s condition.
A day after Trump confirmed he had COVID-19, his medical team was already saying his condition was improving and talking about him returning to the White House.
However, minutes later his chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters his condition had been “very concerning” since he had been hospitalised.
It was later revealed President Trump had a high fever and had been given supplementary oxygen on Friday out of concern of possible “rapid progression of the illness”.
Today, however, John Hopkins doctor Brian Garibaldi, who is assisting in Trump’s treatment, said the president’s condition is much better.
“Today he feels well. He’s been up and around. Our plan for today is to have him to eat and drink, be up out of bed as much as possible, to be mobile,” Dr Garibaldi said.
In fact, he said the President could be discharged and continue his treatment in the White House as early as this evening, Australian time.
