How world leaders reacted to Trump testing positive for coronavirus
- US president’s tweet revealing he and first lady have Covid-19 reverberates throughout the world
- Most leaders and officials wished him well, but the editor of China’s Global Times tweeted that Trump had paid the price for playing down the pandemic
Trump’s tweet revealing that America’s first couple had tested positive reverberated throughout the world.
Here are some of the reactions:
US vice-president Mike Pence
“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,” Pence tweeted.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden
“Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.”
03:30
World leaders wish Trump and Melania speedy recovery from Covid-19
Former US president Barack Obama
“Although we’re in the midst of a big political fight, and we take that very seriously, we also want to extend our best wishes to the president of the United States, the first lady.”
“Michelle and I are hopeful that they and others that have been affected by Covid-19 around the country are getting the care that they need, that they are going to be on the path to a speedy recovery.” Obama added.
Mary Trump, the president’s niece
“I reserve my sympathy, empathy, and despair for those who are sick and for those who have died because they were misled, lied to, or ignored.”
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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
“My best wishes to President Trump and the first lady. Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin
“I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus,” Putin said in a telegram to Trump.
“Of course we wish President Trump a speedy and easy recovery,” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
“[Kim] offered his sympathy to the president and the first lady,” the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
“He sincerely hoped that they would be recovered as soon as possible. He hoped they will surely overcome it. He sent warm greetings to them.”
02:13
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19
German Chancellor Angela Merkel
“I send Donald and Melania Trump all my good wishes,” her spokesman Steffen Seibert tweeted on her behalf. “I hope that they recover well from their corona infection and will be quite healthy again soon.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“My first thoughts are in support of [the Trumps] for a speedy recovery,” Trudeau said. ”They had certainly reached out when Sophie [Grégoire Trudeau] got her diagnosis earlier in the spring.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
“I wish a speedy recovery to US President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump, who tested positive for Covid-19.”
“I sincerely hope that they will overcome the quarantine period without problems and regain their health as soon as possible.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
“Like millions of Israelis, Sara (Netanyahu’s wife) and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and wish our friends a full and speedy recovery.”
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Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of China’s Global Times tweeted
“President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the Covid-19. The news shows the severity of the US’ pandemic situation. It will impose a negative impact on the image of Trump and the US, and may also negatively affect his re-election.”
China Daily
“The positive test is yet another reminder that the coronavirus continues to spread, even as Trump has tried desperately to suggest it no longer poses a danger. Since it emerged earlier this year, Trump, the White House and his campaign have played down the threat and refused to abide by basic public health guidelines – including those issued by his own administration – such as wearing masks in public and practising social distancing. Instead, Trump has continued to hold campaign rallies that draw thousands of supporters. The virus has killed more than 200,000 Americans and infected more than 7 million nationwide.”
Taiwan Presidential Office statement
“President Tsai, upon receiving the news, sent her best wishes to the US government via diplomatic channels, hoping that President Trump and his wife can recover at an early date under the professional care of the medical team.”
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France government spokesman Gabriel Attal
“This demonstrates that the virus spares no one, including those who have shown scepticism. I wish him a swift recovery.”
UK Housing Minister Robert Jenrick
“All of us want to send our best wishes to President Trump, the first lady and the Trump family and wish them a speedy recovery.
“We know what it’s like to have, in our case a prime minister who tested positive for Covid, and setting aside politics we all want to see him and his wife get better soon.
“In the US they’ve got a very clear protocol haven’t they, with the vice-president, should that be necessary.”
European Council President Charles Michel
“Wishing @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a speedy recovery,” Michel wrote on Twitter, using the handles of Trump and his wife.
“Covid-19 is a battle we all continue to fight. Everyday. No matter where we live.”
Indian PM Narendra Modi
“Wishing my friend @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a quick recovery and good health,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter.
The Indian and US leaders appear to enjoy warm relations, with Modi hosting Trump at a huge US-style rally in his home state of Gujarat in February.
In September 2019 Trump and the Indian premier attended a similar event in Houston, Texas dubbed “Howdy Modi” in front of a huge crowd of Indian Americans.
Donald Trump and the coronavirus, in his own words
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
“My best wishes to President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS for a full and speedy recovery.”
Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi, who caught Covid-19
“I want to pass on my best wishes to President Trump, his wife and staff, and all the victims of Covid-19. I know this disease from personal experience. It can be treacherous, but it can be overcome if you are correct and courageous.”
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
