Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Trump news: President rips off his mask as soon as he arrives back at White House after walking out of hospital

Follow the latest updates

Joe Sommerlad,Gino Spocchia,Justin Vallejo
Monday 05 October 2020 19:52 EDT
Comments
Donald Trump says he will visit supporters despite coronavirus infection

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 has been discharged from Walter Reed Medical Centre after his doctors declined to reveal key details about his condition and said he wasn't "out of the wood".

Trump didn’t respond to questions as he left the hospital, saying only “thank you” before ignoring a reporter asking how many White House staff were infected and if he was a super spreader of coronavirus.

On arriving at the White House, Trump took off his mask to salute and pose for photos in front of American flags as Marine One took flight.

The president's return to the White House came after he earlier told America not to be afraid of Covid-19 as the country's death toll climbed over 210,000 and the number of positive cases among the president's inner circle reached 16.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and pastor Greg Laurie, who was at the Scotus Rose Garden event, were the two latest to announce a positive diagnosis on Monday.

As he prepared to end his 72-hour hospital stay, Trump began his morning furiously tweeting from his sick bed after attracting widespread condemnation over his “irresponsible” drive-by of supporters on Sunday evening.  

"RUDE!!!", the president called it. But the criticisms even came from within the president's circle, with Donald Trump Jr reported by Vanity Fair to want an intervention over the "crazy" motorcade stunt and tweet storm.

The Trump campaign, meanwhile, said their intention is for the president to make the second presidential debate on 15 October, which Joe Biden has also agreed, calling on the president listens to the science and make a nationwide mask rule.

Meanwhile, in the East Wing, Melania Trump reportedly refused to leave Covid-19 isolation in order to keep from infecting Secret Service agents

As the first lady provide an update of her own condition on Monday, saying she’s continue staying at home.

The message and timing are conspicuous, given criticism over Donald Trump’s hospital drive by and reports the first lady has remained in isolation to avoid unnecessary risks. 

Read the latest on how the Ms Trump’s response has differed from her husband.

Melania reportedly remained in isolation to protect Secret Service agents from Covid-19 exposure

The first lady said on Monday she would continue to rest at home as she recovered 

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 19:50

Trump says he will leave hospital today despite coronavirus infection

John T Bennet has more on this breaking story of Trump leaving hospital tonight, as his doctors are expected to hold a press briefing at any moment.

Trump says he will leave hospital today despite coronavirus infection

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

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 20:06

‘Not out of the woods yet’: Trump’s doctors say as they greenlight discharge  

“Though he may not be entirely out of the woods yet, the team and I agree all our evaluations, and most importantly his clinical status, support the president’s safe return home,” said Dr Sean Conley.

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 20:15

Trump to remain on experimental steroid and receive fourth dose of Remdesivir before White House return

The president’s today said he would receive a fourth dose of Remdesivir before returning to the White House, while also remaining on experimental steroid dexamethasone.

“We send patients home with medication all the time,” Dr Sean Conley said. “Yesterday afternoon he probably met most of his discharge requirements. And he’s returning to a facility, the White House medical unit, is staffed 24/7.”

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 20:19

 

‘Uncharted territory’ Trump doctor says of experimental treatments

Asked about the danger period on the seventh to tenth day of infection, Dr Sean Conley said it wasn’t clear how Donald Trump’s coronavirus would track with past data given the experimental treatments he is taking.

“We’re in a bit of uncharted territory when it comes to a patient who received the therapies he has so early in the course,” Dr Conley said.

“So we’re looking to this weekend, if we can get through to Monday with him remaining the same or improving, better yet, then we will all take that final deep sigh of relief.”

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 20:24

‘He’s back’ – say Trump’s doctors

Asked if Donald Trump had any neurological effects from coronavirus or the treatment, Dr Sean Conley said the president was “back” to his old self.

“I think you’ve seen the videos, and now the tweets, and you’ll see him shortly, you know, he’s back,” Dr Conley Said.

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 20:26

Trump's doctor refuses to provide details of coronavirus-infected president's lung scans

Donald Trump’s military physician declined to provide any details on aspects of the coronavirus-infect president’s health, including results of chest scans and when he had his last negative test.

'I'm not at liberty to discuss': Dr Sean Conley told reporters, sidestepping questions on whether the president is still contagious.

John T Bennett is covering this angle Dr Conley’s briefing just now.

Trump's doctor refuses to provide details of president's lung scans

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

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 20:36

Trump’s doctor avoids confirming president’s last negative Covid-19 test  

Donald Trump’s medical team declined to confirm when the president returned his last negative test as questions remained when the positive coronavirus diagnosis was first known.

When asked if Trump should have gone to the Bedminster fundraiser hours before announcing his Covid diagnosis, Dr Sean Conley said the president’s schedule isn’t up to him.

“But I would say that it wasn’t until after he returned that we really sat down, then knowing the news of the day, we really dove into how are you feeling, what’s going on,” he said, in reference to news Trump aide Hope Hicks had tested positive.

It remains unconfirmed when Trump received his last negative coronavirus test result.

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 20:46

Timeline of Trump's medical treatment for coronavirus

It isn't known how Trump became infected; several people who were in close contact with the president in the days before his diagnosis also have coronavirus infections. Associated Press has put together a timeline tracking all we know. Some key dates include:

THURSDAY

— White House aide Hope Hicks Hicks tests positive for the coronavirus.

— Trump flies to his Bedminster resort in New Jersey for a private fundraiser. White House officials say they learned of Hicks' positive test soon after Trump boarded the Marine One helicopter

FRIDAY

— Trump tweets shortly before 1 a.m. that he and the first lady have tested positive

— Trump receives a dose of Regeneron's experimental antibody drug. He's also been taking zinc, vitamin D, an antacid, melatonin and a daily aspirin.

— Trump flies by helicopter to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Medical Center, and we later learn he was given oxygen earlier in the day.

SATURDAY

— Doctors say the president is doing well, is fever-free and isn’t having difficulty breathing. 

— White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tells reporters that some of Trump’s vital signs were “very concerning” Friday and that the next 48 hours would be critical in his care.

SUNDAY

— Conley discloses that Trump was given a steroid dexamethasone Saturday after his blood oxygen level had dropped suddenly twice in recent days, but he “has continued to improve.”

— Trump gets a second dose of remdesivir and doctors say he could be discharged as early as Monday to continue his treatment

MONDAY

— Trump tweets that he's leaving hospital: “Feeling really good!”

 

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 21:10

Nothing will stop Mitch McConnell from confirming Amy Coney Barrett. Not even Covid

Senate majority leader views remaking the federal bench in his conservative image as the crowning achievement of his time alongside Mr Trump, US political correspondent Griffin Connolly writes

Nothing will stop Mitch McConnell from confirming Amy Coney Barrett. Not even Covid

Senate majority leader views remaking the federal bench in his conservative image as the crowning achievement of his time alongside Mr Trump, US political correspondent Griffin Connolly writes

Justin Vallejo5 October 2020 21:35

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