Trump not yet up for a national address about his coronavirus experience, aide says
President returned to Oval Office on Wednesday
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 still plans to address the country about his coronavirus diagnosis and treatment, but does not yet feel up to it, a White House aide said on Wednesday.
The president has been telling aides since before he returned to the White House on Monday evening that he wants to talk directly to the American people about his experience. There was scuttlebutt he might do so on Tuesday evening, but the White House instead called a lid before 4pm, a signal the president would not be moving outside the executive compound or speaking.
After minutes before saying that the president would only deliver a televised address or return to work from the Oval Office, despite still being contagious and possibly putting aides at risk, a White House spokesman confirmed Mr Trump had returned to the world-famous workspace.
“He wants to speak to the American people and he will do so soon. I don't have an exact time or a definite way he'll do that,” deputy press secretary Brian Morgenstern told reporters.
“But, as you've seen, there have been Twitter videos that are [a] pretty easy and effective way for him to get out,” the spokesman added. “That's certainly something that we're always considering as putting out another message to the country that way, but I don't have a different method or time for you at this time.”
Mr Trump and his social media team have worked on such a video, but have not released one since they used one on Monday night to have the president again downplay the virus.
“Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it. You’re gonna beat it. We have the best medical equipment. We have the best medicines, all developed recently,” he said in that video message, recording just inside the executive mansion’s Truman Balcony.
“Nobody that’s a leader would not do what I did. And I know there’s a risk, there’s a danger, but that’s OK,” the president added. “And now I’m better and maybe I’m immune – I don’t know. But don’t let it dominate your lives. Get out there. Be careful.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments