December 22, 2024
PodcastsLobby Firm RankingsInfluence Magazine
   

Florida politicians react to Donald Trump COVID-19 diagnosis

Staff ReportsOctober 3, 202010min

Related Articles

FederalHeadlines

What Donald Trump’s decision to wade into spending fight tells us about the next 4 years

HeadlinesSpecials

Lara Trump says she’s removing herself from consideration to be Marco Rubio’s replacement in U.S. Senate

Emails & OpinionsHeadlines

Winner and Loser of the Week in Florida politics — Week of 12.15.24

Trump 9.29.20
Prayers and well-wishes are rolling in for the President and First Lady.

As Florida politicos woke up Friday morning to news that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19, reactions began to roll in with support for the First Couple’s speedy recovering pouring in from all sides of the political spectrum.

President Trump will stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for several days, performing his duties from a dedicated office at the hospital. White House physician Dr. Sean P. Conley said the President has mild symptoms, including a fever and fatigue, but that the move was precautionary.

Speculation began Thursday night that the President may have contracted the virus after Hope Hicks, one of Trump’s closest advisors, had tested positive. Trump announced he and the First Lady were going into quarantine and awaiting test results. The announcement came around 1 a.m. that the pair had tested positive.

Early reports, indicated in a tweet from the First Lady, showed the two were “feeling fine.”

Conley initially said in a statement the two were being cared for at the White House.

“The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence,”  Conley said in a statement. “Rest assured I expect the President to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments.”

But the President was moved to Walter Reed by the evening out of an abundance of caution, Conley said. The President walked from the White House to Marine One on the South Lawn and gave thumbs up to reporters before boarding the presidential helicopter without answering questions.

Former Vice President Joe Biden sent his well wishes Friday morning as he prepares to be tested for the virus after appearing with Trump Tuesday night in the first presidential debate.

“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,” Biden tweeted.

Democratic Vice President nominee Kamala Harris echoed Biden’s remarks.

Well wishes were abound in Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, a staunch Trump ally, tweeted “best wishes” for a swift recovery.

“Florida is praying for a speedy recovery for our President, First Lady, and all who are recovering from COVID-19. We will get through this together,” the Florida GOP tweeted.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio likewise tweeted that he was “praying for a full and speedy recovery.”

Support poured in also from across the aisle, even as some non-elected Democratic voters tweeted joy over the President’s diagnosis.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist offered “thoughts and prayers” to the President, First Lady and their staff.

“This virus is incredibly transferable, no one is exempt. Until there’s a vaccine, our best defense is to continue to mask up, social distance, and follow @CDCgov guidelines,” Crist tweeted and provided in a statement to media.

U.S. Rep. Val Demings, a once contender for Biden’s running mate, echoed those prayers.

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered her support as well while also cautioning residents to take the virus seriously.

“Wishing the President and the First Lady a speedy and full recovery. This is a sobering reminder that #COVID19 is not a hoax and this pandemic is far from over. Continue to #WearAMask, take extra precautions, and #BeSMARTFL,” she tweeted.

Senate Democratic leader Audrey Gibson also wished the President and First Lady well, but issued a stern message to DeSantis as well.

“We are certainly sorry to hear of the President and his wife’s illness with COVID-19. Hopefully, Governor DeSantis will finally understand that this virus is not just a threat to the most vulnerable, and institute mandatory safety measures statewide, including masks, as we have repeatedly called for,” she wrote.

Meanwhile, State Rep. Anna Eskamani, a prominent Democrat considering a run against Gov. DeSantis in 2022, qualified her support for the President’s recovery.

“I don’t support the Trump Administration but still wish the President and First Lady Trump a full and speedy recovery. I truly hope no one else near them contracted this virus and encourage everyone to #WearAMask,” she tweeted.

Rep. Chris Latvala, who recently overcame COVID-19 himself, tweeted a more personal sentiment.

The President’s second son, Eric Trump, called his father “a true warrior” as the President prepared to move to Walter Reed.

Here is a round up of other Florida reactions:

Post Views: 726

Staff Reports

VIEW ALL POSTS

previousGov. DeSantis calls school reopening opponents the ‘flat earthers of our day’

nextPro-veteran group backs Scott Franklin in CD 15 race

7 comments

  • Charles schulze

    October 2, 2020 at 8:37 am

    I thoroughly dislike the Trumps. All of them. But I do not wish any harm, just prison.
    I hope they both recover.

  • DisplacedCTYankee

    October 2, 2020 at 9:44 am

    Trump asked for it. He got it.

  • James Robert Miles

    October 2, 2020 at 9:51 am

    Gee, the hoax has the hoax! How appropriate! There must be a God after all! His loser and sucker followers will say Biden gave it to him. They still don’t have a clue!

  • Sonja Fitch

    October 2, 2020 at 10:56 am

    Unless Trump dies he lies! This is probably an October “miracle”. Nope I absolutely do not believe the liar in chief!
    Vote Blue!

  • GD

    October 2, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    Note how Trump threw Hicks, the police, military under the bus when he had symptoms the same day as Hicks. It is just as possible Trump gave it to his wife, Hicks and who knows how many more.
    The tests don’t even work until the person has been infecting people 3-5 days!
    But of course it’s a Hoax!!
    And 80-90% of deaths, cases, crashing the economy is all Trump’s fault for not doing his job early, even selling the Chinese PPE stockpiles after he knew how bad it could be in February and then wouldn’t force increased production, make people wear masks, buy the WHO tests and test everyone, etc.

  • Palmer Tom

    October 3, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    I guess this isn’t the October Surpise they were anticipating. Nevertheless, I hope for a recovery.

  • Palmer Tom

    October 3, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    Oh, and by the way I’m a 70something man with some extra pounds etc. I’ve been wearing a mask and I’m OK so far. Nuff said.

Comments are closed.

#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Jesse Scheckner, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704

Categories