Trump Hospitalized to Receive COVID Treatment

Americans—at least those who aren’t night owls—awoke to the news Friday morning that President Donald Trump and his wife Melania had contracted COVID-19. Late Friday afternoon, news came that the president was headed to Walter Reed Hospital and would stay for a few days “out of an abundance of caution.”

Speculation centered around where Trump might have been exposed—he confirmed his and his wife’s positive tests after Bloomberg News reported Thursday night that White House aide Hope Hicks had tested positive Wednesday. There were also reports that Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins and Sens. Mike Lee and Thom Tillis, all of whom were at the White House when Trump introduced Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court pick, had tested positive.

“President Trump remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day,” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement on Friday. “Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.” Melania Trump is reportedly experiencing “mild symptoms” and will remain in quarantine.

“I want to thank everyone for the tremendous support,” the president said in a video posted on Twitter shortly before he left for Walter Reed. “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.”