Does he or doesn’t he have COVID? That is the question being asked by many, as President Donald Trump announced at midnight on October 1, that he tested positive for the dreaded disease. It was, of course, breaking news, perfectly timed for the news cycle of early morning media. Seventy-five percent of the people I have talked to say they don’t believe he has been stricken with COVID and that it is a big hoax.
Trump has lied and exaggerated so much that he’s not believed for his word. The late-night expert discussion that went into early morning news was the continuity of government. For the record, if Trump could not perform his duties, responsibilities would transfer to the Vice President and if he couldn’t perform his duties, responsibilities would go to the Speaker of the House.
The hoax argument is that Trump clearly lost the debate. It will probably go down in history as outrageous, so much so, that the debate guidelines will probably change. He lost so much so that his fellow Republicans told him so. And he can’t recover with his refusal of denouncing white supremacy and his mocking of Biden for wearing the largest mask he has ever seen.
So, what do you do? You create a situation that allows you to get out of the debate game and not completely lose face. Do you think another presidential debate will come forth? Probably not, if you have COVID.
When it was time to go to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the helicopter came so close to the White House that Trump was well guarded against media sight. Very controlling. The doctor reports had been vague as they discussed a “slight fever.” Trump is labeled obese with a very poor diet. And with a slight heart problem and pre-diabetic makes him quite susceptible to underlying circumstances for COVID as an elderly male. He and his wife, both tested positively for COVID and will have to engage the “quarantine process.” This might take Trump off the campaign trail. These are the most critical and final days of the election and some polls already indicate him as the loser. As you read this Trump checked himself out of the hospital and has returned to the White House. However, he is not out of danger, as the sickness might worsen this week.
And then how is COVID traced to the President? Many people that have tested positive include his food server, as many on his personal team – his chief of staff and his special aide, Hope Hicks. Even the former governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, was working with him in preparation for the debates. The Rose Garden event may have transferred COVID to 25 people including journalists. Even Supreme Court justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett has experienced COVID. While Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee tested positively, Trump’s COVID might be from the Rose Garden ceremony where Coney was nominated. If you watch the cameras closely, as they span the event, people in the first five rows are those who contracted COVID.
Trump tested positive for COVID and was the perfect candidate for COVID 19. He defiantly refused to wear his mask and during the White House lawn, Republican Convention definitely did not practice social distancing. Trump, his team and his guests disregarded all of the guidelines of COVID.
He ridiculed and repeatedly ignored scientific and medical advice consistently and made COVID a political issue, rather than put safety policies in place. He thought he was exempt from the virus. Trump and his wife contracting COVID is not surprising or shocking. It is somewhat predictable. Trump created his own perfect storm with his defiance, arrogance, and ignorance.
What is interesting to watch is how the President supposedly has changed his behavior and attitude about the illness. Trump got out of his hospital bed at Walter Reed’s and greeted supporters as he was driven around in his armored Chevrolet Suburban. Posting a one-minute video on Twitter, he said “I learned a lot about COVID. I learned it by really going to school. This is real school. And I get it.” And I understand it. And it’s a very interesting thing and I’m going to be letting you know about it.”
The hoax theorist says this is Trump’s foxy way out of the White House, where he loses the election based on his personal experience of COVID as he has administered the needless death of over 209,000 Americans. His experience may also be a challenge for his disregard of the health bill that is before the house. Right on time, with Sunday morning talk shows, the program is interrupted by breaking news as the doctors update the public on Trump’s condition.
What will the Trump experience bring to the election? Will it garner him a sympathy vote, to rally his troops, or will it backlash, or does it take him out of office? These are the Trump questions for the day as we watch the newest drama play out, just like a soap opera or reality show. We have weeks, as the voting has begun.
No matter what your position, Trump has changed the game of politics in every way from the debate to the election itself.
COVID might provide a graceful out for a troubled president. Just saying.
