Shock, sympathy, mockery: World reacts to Trump infection

By The Associated Press and News Staff

News of the infection of the most powerful man in the world with the most notorious disease in the world drew instant reactions of shock, sympathy, undisguised glee and, of course, the ever-present outrage and curiosity that follow much of what Donald Trump does, even from 10,000 miles away.

Trump’s announcement, on Twitter, on Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, and the deep uncertainty that accompanied it, permeated the global news cycle, upending countless plans and sparking comment everywhere from presidential offices to the thousands looking to weigh in on social media.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to offer his well whishes to the President and First Lady. Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau tested positive for virus in March and Trudeau quarantined at his official residence, but never tested positive.

Federal Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, who also recently tested positive for COVID-19 said he and his wife Rebecca “know first hand the challenges of COVID-19” and wished the President a speedy recovery.

Toronto Mayor John Tory used the President’s diagnosis as an opportunity to remind residents anyone can contract the virus. He also wished Trump and his wife “a quick recovery.”

Trump’s election opponents also tweeted their well wishes to the President.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Friday that he and his wife Jill “send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery” after they tested positive for the coronavirus.

In a Friday morning tweet, he added, “We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.”

Meanwhile, Biden’s vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris wished both Trumps a “full and speedy recovery.”

Harris tweeted Friday that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are “keeping them and the entire Trump family in our thoughts.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’s praying for the president and hopes his testing positive for COVID-19 might be a “learning experience” about the virus.

“Let us all pray for the president’s health,” Pelosi said on MSNBC. She added, “This is tragic, It is very sad.”

The speaker said she was tested out of caution and is awaiting results. But said warned against “brazen” behaviour that allowed “something like this to happen”

Other world leaders and officials were quick to weigh in, and there was both sympathy and something approaching schadenfreude.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wished Trump a “speedy recovery” from COVID-19.

Johnson was hospitalized for a week in April after he contracted COVID-19 as well.

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