President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass a stimulus package as he remains hospitalized with coronavirus.
'OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS. WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE. Thank you!' Trump tweeted on Saturday from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have spent the past week in talks over a potential new coronavirus aid package to respond to the economic fallout from a pandemic that has killed more than 207,000 Americans and thrown millions out of work.
A spokesman for Pelosi said she and Mnuchin spoke for 65 minutes on Friday, discussing areas of disagreement between Democrats and Republicans. The spokesman said negotiations are ongoing.
Trump posted his stimulus tweet shortly after his doctors held a press briefing to give updates on his condition.
He also tweeted his thanks to the medical team, writing: 'Doctors, Nurses and ALL at the GREAT Walter Reed Medical Center, and others from likewise incredible institutions who have joined them, are AMAZING!!! Tremendous progress has been made over the last 6 months in fighting this PLAGUE. With their help, I am feeling well!'
President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass a stimulus package in a tweet on Saturday
He also tweeted his thanks to the medical team at Walter Reed hospital, where he is currently undergoing experimental treatments after testing positive for coronavirus on Thursday
The president, 74, gave a 'thumbs up' as he walked from the White House to Marine One to be airlifted to hospital on Friday evening
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted Saturday he had a 'great' call with President Trump and he 'sounds well and says he's feeling good'
Congress and the White House approved more than $3trillion worth of coronavirus relief measures earlier this year, but Mnuchin, as well as members of Congress from both parties, have argued more stimulus is needed.
In a letter to her fellow Democrats on Friday, Pelosi outlined the areas where she and Mnuchin still have differences.
'Our negotiations with the administration continue, and I am hopeful that we can reach agreement,' she said. 'However, we sill have significant disagreement in key areas.'
These areas included aid to state and local governments, unemployment insurance, provisions on testing and tracing, and Democratic demands for a child tax credit, she said.
Pelosi said the White House was also seeking to reduce a section of the bill that appropriates money for many priorities to $100billion, from $144billion. She gave no details but said: 'We await the changes they are suggesting.'
Democrats have proposed spending $2.2trillion on coronavirus relief. Their plan was approved by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives on Thursday night, but it has no future in the Republican-run Senate.
Trump's negotiating team has suggested a $1.6trillion response, and dismissed Democrats' $2.2trillion plan as not serious.
The president's tweet about expediting the negotiations came as he continues working from Walter Reed hospital after having been diagnosed with coronavirus on Thursday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (right) have spent the past week in talks over a potential new coronavirus aid package
Confusion erupted over Trump's condition on Saturday after the president's doctors said he is doing 'very well' while White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows claimed his vitals are 'very concerning'.
Trump's personal physician Sean Conley offered an update on his condition outside Walter Reed on Saturday morning alongside several other members of the president's medical team.
'This morning, the president is doing very well. The team and I are extremely happy with the progress the president has made. He's been fever free for 24 hours and we are cautiously optimistic,' Conley said, adding that Trump has been working and walking in his hospital suite.
Conley's depiction was far more optimistic than one put forward by Meadows, who spoke to Bloomberg Business pooler Cheryl Bolen on background immediately after the briefing ended.
'The president's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery,' Meadows told Bolen, who passed that information along to the press pool.
Trump's personal physician Sean Conley (pictured) offered an update on his condition outside Walter Reed on Saturday morning. 'This morning, the president is doing very well,' he said
After the presser Chief of Staff Mark Meadows (pictured) told a pool reporter: 'The president's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery'
WHO HAS TRUMP BEEN IN CONTACT WITH AND WHO AMONG THEM IS INFECTED
Hope Hicks, counselor to the president - POSITIVE
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump - NEGATIVE
Barron Trump - NEGATIVE
Tiffany Trump - NEGATIVE
Eric Trump, Lara Trump - NEGATIVE
Donald Trump Jr, Kimberly Guilfoyle - NEGATIVE
Vice President Mike Pence - NEGATIVE
Joe Biden and Jill Biden - NEGATIVE
Dan Scavino, Social Media Director - NEGATIVE
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel - POSITIVE
Mark Meadows, White House chief of staff - NEGATIVE
Kayleigh McEnany, press secretary - NEGATIVE
KellyAnne Conway, Trump's former advisor who attended Saturday's announcement of SCOTUS nominee - POSITIVE
Amy Coney Barrett, Supreme Court nominee - NEGATIVE (She had the virus in the summer)
Rev John Jenkins, President of Notre Dame who attended Saturday's announcement of SCOTUS nominee - POSITIVE
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina who attended Saturday's announcement of SCOTUS nominee - POSITIVE
Mike Lee, Utah Republican senator who attended Saturday's announcement of SCOTUS nominee - POSITIVE
Bill Stepien, campaign manager - POSITIVE
Chris Christie, helped with debate prep - POSITIVE
John McEntee, Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office - UNKNOWN
Rudy Giuliani, personal attorney. Giuliani had spent the weekend at the White House doing debate prep - UNKNOWN
Mitch McConnell - UNKNOWN
Lindsey Graham - UNKNOWN
Robert Ford, CEO of Abbott Laboratories, who was at the White House on Monday - UNKNOWN
Admiral Brett Geroir, assistant Health and Human Services secretary - UNKNOWN
Alex Azar, HHS secretary - UNKNOWN
The briefing raised more questions than answers as Conley declined to say what temperature the president had when he had a fever, whether he was on oxygen and when he last tested negative for COVID.
Conley told reporters the team was 72 hours into Trump's diagnosis. But that would put the timeline at the president testing positive Wednesday morning. Trump tweeted shortly before 1 am on Friday he had tested positive. On Thursday he flew to his golf club in Bedminister, New Jersey, for a fundraiser with about 100 people.
'Just 72 hours into the diagnosis now, the first week of COVID, in a particular day seven to day 10, are most critical in determining the likely course of this illness. At this time the team and I are extremely happy with the progress the president has made. Thursday he had a mild cough with nasal congestion and fatigue all of which are now resolving and improving,' Conley said.
Dr Shaun Dooley, a critical care physician, also spoke at the briefing and said Trump's heart, liver and kidney functions are being monitored and are currently in good condition.
'He's in exceptionally good spirits,' Dooley said of the president. 'In fact, as we were completing our multidisciplinary round this morning, the quote he left us with is "I feel like I could walk out of here today" and that was a very encouraging comment from the president.'
Multiple sources said that Trump was administered oxygen while at the White House on Friday, before he checked into the hospital.
Trump is currently undergoing a range of treatments including a polyclonal antibody cocktail made by Regeneron that is not available to the public, remdesivir - an ebola drug that has already been shown to work against the virus - and vitamin D. He is also taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine (the generic name for Pepcid AC), melatonin and daily aspirin.
Asked about the discrepancy with Trump's testing timeline, Conley said Thursday night was when the team got a PCR confirmation of positive. It's unclear what kind of COVID tests the president receives on a daily basis. Trump and those around him are regularly tested.
'So Thursday afternoon following, following the news of a close contact is when we repeated testing and given kind of clinical indication, a little bit more concern and that's when -- late that night we got the PRC confirmation,' Conley said.
But a White House official clarified later that Conley meant it's day three of the president's diagnosis, not 72 hours and clarified the timing of medication administered to Trump.
'The doctor meant it's day three, not yet 72 hours,' the official told DailyMail.com. 'Diagnosis was made Thursday night, Regeneron administered later that night (2 days ago), not 48 hours ago.'
Dr Brian Garabaldi told reporters at the briefing: 'About 48 hours ago the president received a special antibody therapy directed at the coronavirus.'
Conley issued a statement clarifying his own remarks after the briefing, writing: 'This morning while summarizing the President's health, I incorrectly used the term "seventy two hours" instead of "day three" and "forty eight hours" instead of "day two" with regards to his diagnosis and the administration of the polyclonal antibody therapy.
'The President was first diagnosed with COVID-19 on the evening of Thursday, October 1st and had received Regeron's antibody cocktail on Friday, October 2nd.'
White House senior staff and people meeting with the president receive the Abbott test, a 15 minute rapid response test that is said to be about 50 per cent accurate. The PCR test that Conley referred to has a more accurate response rate.
Conley said it was 'likely' President Trump will be in the hospital five days.
But the confusion raises more questions particularly after reports White House officials wanted to keep it a secret that Trump's close aide, Hope Hicks, tested positive for COVID on Thursday after not feeling well Wednesday night, when she was with President Trump in Minnesota for a campaign rally.
Trump spoke for only 45 minutes at that rally - unusually short for him as he tends to speak for over an hour - and was reported to have fallen asleep on the Air Force One during the trip back to Washington, which is also unusual for the president.
A video was tweeted from President Trump's account as he was transported to the hospital. In the 18-second clip, Trump thanked the American public for their support after he announced his coronavirus diagnosis on Friday morning
THE CRUCIAL QUESTIONS OVER TRUMP'S HEALTH
WHEN PRECISELY WAS HE DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19?
We now have had three different versions of when Trump was diagnosed from the White House, ranging from Wednesday morning to Friday at 1am. The White House has also not said what ‘diagnosed’ means – it could mean spotting clinical symptoms or testing positive.
The White House first announced Donald Trump’s positive test result – and that of the first lady – at 1am EST on Friday morning. But Dr. Sean Conley said on Saturday morning just before midday that the president was ‘ 72 hours into the diagnosis.’ That would mean he was diagnosed with COVID on Wednesday and as early as Wednesday morning – after he returned from the presidential debate with joe Biden and before he took part in a White House South lawn event then flew to Minnesota for an indoors fundraiser and outdoors rally. Dr. Conley then offered a different version saying that on Thursday afternoon ‘we repeated testing’ and Trump was given a PCR test – the most accurate kind because he ‘gave a kind of clinical indication.’ He did not say if that was before or after he flew to New Jersey for an indoors fundraiser. Trump himself told Sean Hannity shortly after 9pm that night that he was waiting for a test. After Conley spoke a White House source said ‘on background’: ‘The doctor meant it’s day 3, not yet 72hrs. Diagnosis made Thursday night.’ Then in another turn, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany issued a written statement from Conley saying he ‘incorrectly used the term “seventy two hours” instead of “day three” and “forty eight hours” instead of “day two.” He added that the first diagnosis was on ‘Thursday evening.’
WHEN PRECISELY WERE SYMPTOMS FIRST DETECTED AND WHEN PRECISELY WAS HE TESTED?
There is no clarity over when Trump was last tested before his positive result. Dr. Conley repeated the White House claim that he is tested ‘frequently’ but did not say what that meant. They have never said if he was routinely given the less accurate Abbott Labs 15 minute test or the advanced OCR test.
When he arrived at Tuesday’s presidential debate Trump was too late to be tested by the Cleveland Clinic. Moderator Chris Wallace said there was an ‘honor system’ for the candidates; Trump’s team told the Debate Commission he was negative. That night he flew home on Air Force One from the presidential debate and aides said he was tired but decided it was because of the debate. But lethargy is symptom – and it is unknown if doctors took note of it.
Then Dr. Conley initially said Trump was diagnosed ’72 hours’ before the Saturday statement which would mean Wednesday morning.
Trump went to Minnesota on Wednesday for a fundraiser in Minneapolis and a rally in Duluth, where he spoke for 45 minutes, far less than his usual performances of more than an hour. Then he fell asleep on Air Force One in contrast to normally watching television and tweeting. But it is unknown if this was seen as a possible symptom at the time.
Hope Hicks’ positive result came on Thursday morning but nobody has said if Trump was tested as soon as it was given or if it was until late Thursday afternoon that he was given a full nasal swab.
WHEN WAS HE FIRST TREATED FOR COVID?
Dr. Sean Conley said Saturday that he was speaking ’48 hours after’ the first Regenron treatment was given to Trump. That would mean on Thursday morning. And another doctor – Brian Garibaldi – said: ‘About 48 hours ago the president received a special antibody therapy directed against the coronavirus. We are working very closely with the company to monitor him in terms of that outcome. Yesterday evening he received his first dose of IV Remdesvir.’ But the public were not told he was even ill until Friday at 1am, and no drug treatment was disclosed until Friday afternoon. After Dr. Conley spoke, a White House source spoke ‘on background’ and said: ‘The Doctor meant it’s day 3, not yet 72hrs, Regeneron administered later that night (2 days ago), not 48hrs ago.’ Then in a statement Dr. Conley said Regenron was first administered on Friday – but not when. That means two doctors are now being said by the White House to have misspoken.
DID HE GO TO ANY EVENTS WHEN DOCTORS SUSPECTED HE WAS UNWELL OR HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CLINICAL SYMPTOMS OF COVID?
The White House doctors and series of statements offer no insight into when Trump first felt unwell; when anyone suspected he was unwell; when he was first tested; and if a doctor had seen clinical signs of COVID before he was nasally swabbed. That means that Trump could have gone to any or all of a Minnesota fundraiser and rally; a White House South Lawn event; and a New Jersey fundraiser with doctors suspecting he had COVID or even having tested him for it.
HAS THE PRESIDENT EVER BEEN ON OXYGEN?
Dr. Conley grinned as he repeatedly said Trump as ‘not on oxygen now.’ Pressed repeatedly about the president ever having had it he said: ‘Thursday, no oxygen, none at this moment, and yesterday with the team, while we were all here, he was not on oxygen.’ About an hour later the New York Times and Associated Press reported Trump was given oxygen at the White House residence. There has been no official denial or confirmation but Dr. Conley had left that possibility open. Why he would not confirm it is unknown.
WHAT TEMPERATURE DID THE PRESIDENT’S FEVER SPIKE AT?
This simple question was not answered. It is a crucial clinical indication but all Dr. Conley would say is that he has been fever-free for 24 hours. Given that the White House now disputed Dr. Conley’s use of 48 and 72 hours, even that cannot be taken as true.
DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE HEART OR LUNG DAMAGE?
Dr. Conley was asked about lung damage and said: ‘We're following all of that. We do daily ultrasounds. We do daily lab work. The team is tracking all of that.’ But that does not say if there is any damage to his lungs.’ He simply ignored a question about Trump’s heart.
DO WE KNOW EVERY DRUG OR TREATMENT HE HAS TAKEN?
The White House in two statements has detailed drugs Trump has been given. On Friday’s afternoon it said he was given the experimental Regeneron antibody ‘cocktail’ as well as zinc, Vitamin D and the histamine-blocker famotidine. Then late on Friday night a statement from Dr. Conley said he had been given the antiviral Remdesvir. But Dr. Conley refused to answer if Trump was on steroids. He did not say if he is on any other drugs. Trump previously took hydroxychloroquine in late May and early June despite its use at the time being at best questionable and at worst risky. In June Dr. Conley said Trump takes three daily drugs: 40mg of Rosuvastatin, a statin; 1mg of finasteride, the hair-loss drug generally marketed as Propecia; and 81mg of aspirin. But on Saturday Dr. Conley walked off when he was asked twice if Trump was on steroids.
DO WE KNOW ALL THE PRESIDENT’S UNDERLYING CONDITIONS?
We do not know if we do. The last medical report in June said he was clinically obsess but had health cholesterol, resting heart rate and blood pressure., normal kidney, liver and thyroid function, normal blood count and normal Vitamin V12 and Vitamin D levels. But the White House has never explained fully his mystery trip to Walter Reed in November 2019 when Mike Pence was told to be on ‘standby’ to assume the powers of the presidency. Since then Trump’s struggle to walk down a ramp at West Point and his strange drinking of water with two hands has been the subject of widespread speculation about cognitive issues. He has denied having ‘a series of mini-strokes’ in an angry tweet but his physician has never fully addressed the visit or his cognitive state.
WHO IS TREATING THE PRESIDENT?
His treatment is being led by Dr. Sean Conley, who introduced other Walter Reed staff – including pulmonary specialists – on Saturday. But the White House has not answered questions on the names of his full team. It has also not said if he or Dr. Conley have consulted other doctors on the coronavirus task force including Dr. Tony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, both renowned specialists. And it has not said if he has consulted Dr. Scott Atlas the controversial member of the taskforce who has spoken in favour of ‘herd immunity’ and minimized the importance of masks, and been called an ‘outlier’ who gives ‘bad information’ by Dr. Fauci. Also unaddressed is whether Dr. Conley has reached out to Admiral Ronny Jackson, Trump’s last White House doctor. He quit after his nomination to run Veterans Affairs was withdrawn and an investigation opened into whether he was drunk on the job and gave out prescription drugs to staffers, earning the nickname ‘Candyman.’ He had previously claimed the president could ‘live to 200.’ On Friday he tweeted that the president was ‘asymptomatic’ which quickly became plainly untrue. He is running for Congress as a Republican and it is unclear if he retains a medical registration.
IS THE PRESIDENT’S DOCTOR OVERWORKED?
Given that we do not know exactly who was treating the president in the White House, we do not know if Dr. Conley has had adequate sleep, or adequate backup. He has been dealing with an escalating crisis since at least Thursday morning when Hicks tested positive but possibly for longer – and we do not know how long, given his changing version of events. White House staff are working around the clock and on Friday when Trump got on Marine One appeared both shellshocked and exhausted. But Dr. Conley went with him to Walter Reed, and it is unclear if he was relieved by other doctors or has worked around the clock. Dr. Conley however is a commander in the Navy and would be expected to be aided by multiple specialists to perform his task. Doctors are trained not to become over-tired and to recognize the need to get rest. His superior officers would emphasize that to him and at Walter Reed, Trump could have been attended by specialists who could take over to let Dr. Conley rest – but we do not know if that happened.
HAS THE PRESIDENT OR ANYONE ELSE ORDERED DOCTORS NOT TO BE FULLY TRANSPARENT - AND DID DR. CONLEY WRITE HIS OWN STATEMENT?
This is simply unknown. Dr. Conley has never before spoken to reporters, and read initially from a prepared statement. He has had lengthy time with the president and as a patient, the president has veto over any aspect of revealing his medical information, such as when and how he was diagnosed, his use of oxygen and his maximum temperature. Also present at Walter Reed is Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff. He does not formally control Dr. Conley who is in the military chain of command, but is a member of the Cabinet and would be seen as having authority to act on the president’s behalf to control the release of information.
IF THE PRESIDENT IS TWEETING IS THAT A GOOD SIGN?
Multiple people can access Trump’s twitter account, but it is principally run by Dan Scavino, his director of social media. Under CDC guidelines Scavino should be self-quarantining after extensive contact with Trump and Hicks although it is unknown if he is. Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, hinted Friday that Trump was not in control of his account when he said that ‘we decided to put out that tweet’ of the 1am Friday tweet saying: Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!’ So a tweet Saturday from Trump cannot be taken as proving he is well, or disproving that he is unwell.
