Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Trump coronavirus news: Masked President airlifted from White House lawn to begin Walter Reed hospitalisation

Follow the latest updates

Joe Sommerlad,Adam Withnall,Justin Vallejo
Friday 02 October 2020 20:25 EDT
Comments
Marine One takes off as Trump is transferred to Walter Reed medical center

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 gave a thumbs up and waved to well-wishers as he walked to Marine 1 to begin hospitalisation at Walter Reed Medical Centre on Friday afternoon following cold-like symptoms of a fever and cough.  

A White House spokesperson said it was a precautionary measure, while Trump's doctor said the president was taking a mix of drugs, including Regeneron's polyclonal antibody cocktail as well as aspirin, zinc, vitamin D, famotidine and melatonin.

Trump's campaign staff cancelled all in-person events for the first family, with Mike Pence to step in. Joe Biden, meanwhile, flew to Michigan to continue his campaign after testing negative, saying he sends prayers for Trump's 'health and safety'.

Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load

‘Thank god’ there was no handshake: Debate moderator Chris Wallace to get tested after Trump diagnosis

The Independent’s Oliver O’Connell got the latest from the Fox News anchor.

Chris Wallace to get tested after Trump coronavirus diagnosis

Presidential candidates remained distant from each other and moderator during Tuesday’s debate

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 17:57

Senator Mike Lee, who met with Trump’s Scotus pick, tests positive for Covid-19

The senator announced he had coronavirus on Friday morning, after meeting with Amy Coney Barrett on Tuesday.   

“I’ll be back to work in time to join my Judiciary Committee colleagues in advancing the Supreme Court nomination,” he said.

Read his full statement below.

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 17:55

Barron Barron Trump latest to test negative for Covid-19 after parents’ diagnosis

Confirmed by Stephanie Grisham, Melania Trump’s, spokeswoman via USA Today: “Barron has tested negative, and all precautions are being taken to ensure he’s kept safe and healthy,”

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 17:48

Biden tests negative for coronavirus

Justin Vallejo2 October 2020 17:44

Mitch McConnell says Trump in ‘good spirits’ on call as Melania also reports ‘mild’ symptoms

The Senate majority leader provides this update on the president’s wellbeing:

Meanwhile, the first lady has confirmed that she too is experiencing “mild” symptoms.

 

Joe Sommerlad2 October 2020 16:31

William Barr tests negative

The US attorney general is the latest to announce the all-clear.

Joe Sommerlad2 October 2020 16:26

Melania Trump hits back at leaked tape of her downplaying row over children separated at border  

Here’s Matt Mathers with the first lady’s press secretary’s angry response to Stephanie Winston Wolkoff’s secret audio of Melania, in which she complains about the media and her White House duties.

Melania Trump hits back at leaked tape of her swearing about child separation row

‘The timing of this continues to be suspect’, says FLOTUS aide

Joe Sommerlad2 October 2020 16:10

Trump’s positive coronavirus test will keep him out of swing states he hasn't visited yet

John T Bennett has this recap of what the president’s diagnosis means for his campaign schedule - with planned trips to the key battleground states of Florida, Wisconsin and Arizona already cancelled.

He’s going to be mighty frustrated by all this.

Trump’s positive coronavirus test will keep him out of swing states he hasn't visited yet

President was scheduled to campaign in Florida, Wisconsin and Arizona over next few days

Joe Sommerlad2 October 2020 16:00

Who else has been exposed to Covid in the White House? 

Clea Skopeliti and Gino Spocchia bring us this timely recap on who else among the president’s entourage could be at risk from the virus in addition to Hope Hicks and Ronna McDaniel. 

We’ve heard so far that Mike Pompeo, Mike Pence, Steve Mnuchin, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have all tested negative but how about the likes of Kayleigh McEnany, Don Jr and Eric and Rudy Giuliani?

Who else has been exposed to the coronavirus in the White House?

The Trump administration put Joe Biden at risk, one expert says

Joe Sommerlad2 October 2020 15:50

Amy Coney Barrett tests negative

Here’s John T Bennett with confirmation of what we heard from Trump’s spokesman a little while earlier: the Republicans’ choice to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg has escaped her encounter with the president on Saturday and is in rude health.

Unlike many at the White House, she did show the good sense to wear a mask.

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett tests negative for Covid-19

The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent.

Joe Sommerlad2 October 2020 15:40

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in