Trump is Out of the Hospital
The Claim
U.S. President Donald Trump has departed Walter Reed hospital just a few days after testing positive for COVID-19.
News posted on
Emerging story
On October 2nd, President Trump announced that both he and his wife, Melania, had tested positive for COVID-19. Following this statement, the President was forced to cancel campaign events in Florida, Wisconsin, and Arizona. He was moved to Walter Reed hospital, where he received steroids and other treatments to help him combat the virus.
In addition to Donald and Melania Trump, several of their close associates also tested positive. Notably among them were three Senators (Mike Lee, Thom Tillis, Ron Johnson), Kayleigh McEnany (White House press secretary), Kellyanne Conway (former counselor of the President), and Chris Christie (former governor of New Jersey).
In a tweeted video, President Trump stated that he is not afraid of the coronavirus. He praised the medical treatment he received at Walter Reed Hospital before saying to not let the virus “dominate your life.”
Trump’s determination to return to governance has garnered admiration from some, who see his actions as heroic. Others have criticized him for his dismissal of COVID-19 as something not to be feared, even going as far as speculating that the President may be lying about his condition. A short video of Trump appearing to be uncomfortable has circulated on Twitter, with the word “Gasping” trending. In early October 2020, many social media users posted about Trump's return to the White House.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar's investigation found that the claim is true. Trump’s infection has led to wide-spread speculation on how his campaign for re-election will continue, or, if he develops severe symptoms, whether or not he should continue to govern at all. Due to his age (the President is 73) and weight, he does fall within a group of high-risk patients.
As of right now, it doesn’t appear as though Trump is experiencing a dire case of COVID-19. His physician released a statement saying that he is doing “extremely well.”
