“Michelle and I hope that the president, first lady, and all those affected by the coronavirus around the country are getting the care they need and are on the path to a speedy recovery,” the former president wrote, adding: “Obviously, we’re in the midst of a big political battle right now, and while there’s a lot at stake, let’s remember that we’re all Americans. We’re all human beings. And we want everyone to be healthy, no matter our party.”
“We wish the president and first lady a speedy recovery, and hope for the safety of the White House staff, the Secret Service, and others putting their lives on the line,” Clinton wrote on Twitter. “This pandemic has affected so many. We must continue to protect ourselves, our families, and communities,” she added.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris shared wishes for a quick recovery on her behalf and that of her husband.
“This cannot be a partisan moment. It must be an American moment. We have to come together as a nation,” the former vice president said at the podium, speaking while wearing a mask and insisting, “we can get this pandemic under control.”
Democrat members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) expressed messages of support.
Pelosi told MSNBC in an interview that, “we all received that news with great sadness,” adding, “I always pray for the president and his family that they’re safe.” She also used the opportunity to criticize Trump for not taking precautions amid the outbreak, like wearing a mask.
“This is tragic, it’s very sad, but it also is something that going into crowds, unmasked and all the rest, was sort of a brazen invitation for this to happen,” Pelosi said, adding, “Maybe this will be the moment where people will say, ‘OK, masks, distances, sanitation, tracing, treatment.’”
Schumer wished the Trumps a “speedy recovery” and echoed Pelosi’s critical remarks.
“What happened to President Trump is a reminder of why the whole country, including senators and staff, must follow the science and follow the protocols laid out by the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and public health officials,” Schumer said Friday.
Trump, in a video message on Friday, expressed gratitude for the kind messages.
“I want to thank everybody for the tremendous support. I’m going to Walter Reed Hospital. I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure that things work out. The first lady is doing very well. So thank you very much I appreciate it. I will never forget it. Thank you.”
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said earlier on Friday that “Trump remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day.” She said the president will remain at the hospital “for the next few days” out of an “abundance of caution.”
A number of key people in regular contact with the president all tested negative after Trump’s diagnosis: Barron Trump, the president’s youngest son, Vice President Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and White House advisers Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
In addition to taking Regeneron’s experimental antibody cocktail, the president has been taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin, and a daily aspirin, according to his physician.
