Trump leaves hospital suite for photo op drive-by in motorcade amid crowds of supporters
Surprise for supporters draws criticism that president may have exposed more people to the virus
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump left Walter Reed Medical Centre for a photo op on Sunday evening , driving by his supporters lining the street outside in a slow-moving motorcade.
Seconds before he appeared, the president posted a new video to Twitter in which he praised the medical staff and promised a surprise for the crowd who had gathered outside the hospital in Maryland, where he was admitted on Friday to be treated for the coronavirus.
The president, wearing what appeared to be a cloth mask, was then seen in the back of a slow-moving black SUV, waving to the assembled crowds.
Trump supporters began assembling on Friday evening and have grown in number over the weekend.
Calls for 'honesty’ on President Trump’s health as doctors backtrack to say he did receive supplemental oxygen and is on steroid treatment
Majority of Americans think Trump could have avoided coronavirus, poll says
Donald Trump did not disclose a positive result from a rapid test for Covid-19 on Thursday
One month out, battered Trump campaign faces big challenges
Many were carrying Trump 2020 banner and MAGA signs, as well as Stars and Stripes and Blue Lives Matter flags.
The motorcade, which was also flanked by Secret Service agents on foot, then returned to the hospital.
White House spokesman Judd Deere said: "President Trump took a short, last-minute motorcade ride to wave to his supporters outside and has now returned to the Presidential Suite inside Walter Reed."
Pool reporters were not informed ahead of time and were not called back to the White House nor Walter Reed.
The president’s medical condition has been the subject of debate for two days now, with conflicting information from administration sources and the medical team at Walter Reed.
Earlier on Sunday it was announced that he could be discharged from hospital as soon as Monday, though medical practitioners interviewed by the networks remain sceptical given the treatments the president is receiving.
Concern was voiced by some on Twitter for the Secret Service agents and driver who would have travelled in the car with Mr Trump. One doctor branded the stunt “insanity”.
In the video released before the drive-by, Mr Trump said: “It’s been a very interesting journey. I learned a lot about Covid. I learned it by really going to school. This is the real school. This isn’t the ‘let’s read the book’ school. And I get it. And I understand it. And it’s a very interesting thing.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments