President Donald Trump announced he will be released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland Monday at 6:30 p.m.
In his announcement via Twitter, Trump encouraged Americans not to let the virus “dominate your life.”
I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
White House Physician Dr. Sean Conley, called Trump a “phenomenal patient” and explained that his condition improved enough to meet the qualifications for release from the hospital. Conley noted Trump’s oxygen levels are normal and it has been more than 72 hours since his last fever.
“Though he may not be entirely out of the woods yet, our team and I agree that all his evaluations, and more importantly, his clinical status support his return home where he’ll be surrounded by world-class medical care 24/7,” Conley said. “He’s back.”
Trump was first hospitalized on Friday following his and First Lady Melania Trump’s positive COVID-19 diagnosis on Thursday night. Since the announcement of his positive test, mainstream media reporters and Democrats began peddling conspiracy theories about Trump’s contraction of the virus, with some even wishing for his death.
Photos released by the White House show Trump working from an office space in the hospital while he was being treated. The president also tweeted multiple videos reassuring the public that he was doing well and praising the doctors at Walter Reed for handling his treatment.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 4, 2020
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2020
On Sunday, Trump made a quick, masked trip outside of the hospital in a vehicle to wave at supporters gathered outside of the medical facility.
President @realDonaldTrump drives by his supporters at Walter Reed!!! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VoiAVPleTf
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) October 4, 2020
I really appreciate all of the fans and supporters outside of the hospital. The fact is, they really love our Country and are seeing how we are MAKING IT GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 4, 2020
The media attacked Trump for this decision, claiming he risked the lives of Secret Service members and others by potentially exposing them to the virus. The president responded by pointing out the media’s hypocrisy in the coverage of the event.
“It is reported that the Media is upset because I got into a secure vehicle to say thank you to the many fans and supporters who were standing outside of the hospital for many hours, and even days, to pay their respect to their President. If I didn’t do it, Media would say RUDE!!!” he wrote.
It is reported that the Media is upset because I got into a secure vehicle to say thank you to the many fans and supporters who were standing outside of the hospital for many hours, and even days, to pay their respect to their President. If I didn’t do it, Media would say RUDE!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
According to Conley, the President has “remained fever free and off of supplemental oxygen” as of Sunday and had received treatments of Remdesivir “without complication.”
Another nightly update from President @realDonaldTrump’s physician: pic.twitter.com/HuF8QxcWfG
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) October 4, 2020
Since Trump’s positive COVID-19 diagnosis, other White House officials and politicians have tested positive including Kayleigh McEnany, Sens. Mike Lee, Thom Tillis, and Ron Johnson, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.