Joe Biden speaks after Trump’s virus test

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden has spoken out for the first time since President Trump’s positive coronavirus test result, saying he wishes the Trumps a “swift recovery”.

“Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery,” Mr Biden tweeted on Friday early morning Washington time.

“We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.”
 

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.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2020

President Trump and wife Melania confirmed in the early hours of Friday morning they were isolating having been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The news rocked Washington and the world as it comes just over one month out from the US election and during the intense final stages of campaigning.

Mr Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris sent a similar message, saying she would be “keeping them and the entire Trump family in our thoughts.”

Doug and I join Joe Biden and Dr. Biden in wishing President Trump and the First Lady a full and speedy recovery. We’re keeping them and the entire Trump family in our thoughts.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 2, 2020

Earlier on Friday, US Vice President Mike Pence was cleared of the virus.

“As has been routine for months, Vice President Pence is tested for COVID-19 every day. This morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for COVID-19,” spokesman Devin O’Malley tweeted.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s spokeswoman said he was tested Friday as per routine and it came back negative.

Trump’s teenage son Barron has also tested negative for the virus.

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TRUMPS TEST POSITIVE AFTER CONTACT WITH HOPE HICKS

The Trumps went into quarantine and got tested after key adviser Hope Hicks was found to have the virus.

Hicks had travelled with the couple and their immediate family on a plane for this week’s presidential debate in which Mr Trump and Mr Biden engaged in a bitter and chaotic slanging match.

Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity after his test, but before the result was known, Mr Trump was in a fairly positive mood.

“I just went for a test, and we’ll see what happens. I mean, who knows?” he said. “We spend a lot of time with Hope.

“But you know Hope very well. She’s fantastic, and she’s done a great job.”

Mr Trump’s diagnosis throws the second debate, which is due to take place on October 15, into doubt.

It also severely curtails his campaigning ability at a crucial stage and undercuts the message Mr Trump has tried to portray about Mr Biden – that at 77 he is old and feeble and not up to the task of being President.

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WORLD LEADERS WISH TRUMPS WELL

The news saw world leaders from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who caught coronavirus earlier this year, to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison wish the Trumps well in their recovery.

It also led global markets to slide and sparked political chaos ahead of the November election, in which Mr Biden has been leading in the polls.

Should Mr Trump become unable to do his job due to being struck down with the illness, the US constitution states that Vice President Mike Pence would take over.

This would officially happen via a letter which the President would write to the Senate leader and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

This has occurred three times in the past, with Ronald Reagan in 1985, George W Bush in 2002 and in 2007 due to operations.

However such a situation has never unfolded this close to a US election.