Democrats slam Trump for setting ‘dangerous' example as infected president returns to White House
US President Donald Trump has come once again under scrutiny for downplaying the seriousness of the coronavirus — this time his own illness — as he returned to the White House after less than three nights in hospital for COVID-19 treatment, calling on people not to be afraid of the virus that has killed more than 210,000 people in the US.
Democrats have slammed Trump of rushing his release for the sake of politics, accusing him of politicizing his illness, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying he might become “a long-hauler”, someone who experiences longer-term consequences.
"He should not be dealing with it politically to make it look like he overcame the virus because he's had such good policies,” Pelosi said. “He has been very destructive and dangerous to the country.”
Trump was admitted to the Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday after being diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
He left the hospital on Monday and went back to the White House, where he is expected to continue his recovery, according to his doctor.
The president tweeted before leaving the hospital that he “will be back on Campaign Trail soon.”
“Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it,” Trump said in a recorded video message.
“We’re going back, we’re going back to work. We’re going to be out front. ... Don’t let it dominate your lives. Get out there, be careful,” Trump said.
His campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said the president plans to participate in the second presidential debate, to be set in Miami, on October 15.
This has raised concern among health experts, including within his own administration, and drew criticism from politicians, including both Democrats and Republicans, who described his latest remarks on the disease as "irresponsible" and "shocking."
"COVID-19 is something that is killing a lot of people. And it’s definitely a threat to people’s overall health,” said Otto Yang, a professor of infectious disease at the University of California.
“I think it’s up to the individual to judge if that’s something to be afraid of or not,” he added.
Trump’s own party members also criticized him for the controversial decision.
“Leaving 1 of the best hospitals, having received drugs the average person doesn’t have access to, going home w/ full medical staff, he has the audacity to say don’t fear #COVID19 & he feels better than ever? THIS is our President?!” said former New Jersey Republican governor Christine Todd Whitman.
Biden to Trump: Masks matter
Trump’s Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, who leads in national opinion polls, has once again criticized Trump for downplaying the threat of the virus.
“I would hope the president — having gone through what he went through and I’m glad he seems to be coming along pretty well — would communicate the right lesson to the American people. Masks matter,” Biden told NBC News in Miami.
Trump left hospital wearing a mask but took it off to enter the White House.
“What is this macho thing, ‘I’m not going to wear a mask,’” Biden said. “Be patriotic, for God’s sake.”
Health experts, including within the Trump administration, have said wearing masks is perhaps the most effective tool for halting the disease’s spread.
Trump, however, has repeatedly flouted social-distancing guidelines meant to curb the virus’ spread. He has even mocked Biden for wearing a mask at events, even when he is far from others.
Biden has avoided large-scale events for months, instead holding more controlled stops with few attendees.
Trump, however, had continued to hold mass rallies with little social distancing, before falling ill.
The virus has now torn through the White House as a growing number of officials announce they have positive test results.
First Lady Melania Trump also tested positive for the virus late last Thursday and were initially quarantined at the White House.
Melania, reportedly, refused to break isolation to visit her husband at hospital, citing concerns that she would expose the Secret Service agents who would drive her there and the medical staff who would greet her.
She has so far made no comment about her husband’s return, but tweeted about her own condition, saying, "I am feeling good and will continue to rest at home."
The rapid spread of COVID-19 among Trump's aides has prompted an intense backlash among staffers, who have complained they are being kept in the dark about how White House leadership planned to deal with the pandemic.
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