US1 min(s) read
Published 16:41 02 Oct 2020 GMT
Messages of support have been flooding in for President Trump today as he revealed that he and First Lady Melania have tested positive for COVID-19.
Taking to Twitter to share the news, the 45th president of the United States wrote: "Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!"
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"God bless the president and the first lady," MSNBC host Rachel Maddow tweeted. "If you pray, please pray for their speedy and complete recovery - and for everyone infected, everywhere."
She added: "This virus is horrific and merciless - no one would wish its wrath on anyone."
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Actress Alyssa Milano, who has previously slammed the president for his handling of issues including the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, said that she wouldn't wish COVID-19 on her worst enemy.
"As someone who has had #COVID19 and still suffers from post-covid syndrome, I can honestly say with all that I am that I wouldn't wish this virus on my worst enemy," Milano said after news of the president's positive test broke.
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Civil Rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson offered to pray for Trump and Melania and said that everyone who is religious should pray for their speedy recovery regardless of their political beliefs.
"We sincerely pray the President & the First Lady do not have the worst of this disease," Jackson tweeted. "We must all pray for the full recovery of the President& his wife [sic]."
He added: "For whatever religious or political persuasion you may be, we must all pray as millions of people are affected by this disease."
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British journalist and television host Piers Morgan, who has previously written critically about Trump's handling of the pandemic, meanwhile, urged people not to celebrate the news on social media.
"Interesting to see those who've spent the last few years screaming that Trump's an uncaring, heartless empathy-devoid b*stard now spewing their gleeful joy that he & his wife have a deadly virus," Morgan said on Twitter. "They're no better than the man they loathe."
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Needless to say, the news has also drawn a reaction from those who are supportive of the Trumps too.
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted early Friday: "Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump. We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery. God bless you President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania."
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"The strength of the entire country is with President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS," White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted. "America stands united. Our country stands strong. Your President will continue to put the People first!"
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Trump confirmed that he and Melania had tested positive for the virus just hours after he tweeted to say that senior aide Hope Hicks had been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Fox News reports that the president was last seen entering the White House yesterday evening and appeared to be healthy.
