President Trump did not participate in a Friday afternoon call with governors about support for seniors during the coronavirus pandemic that he was scheduled to take part in hours after he tested positive for COVID-19.
His absence on the 12:15 p.m. EDT call was confirmed to the Washington Examiner by a senior administration official. Vice President Mike Pence, who has tested negative for COVID-19, took his place.
The call about “COVID-19 support to vulnerable seniors” was the only item left on the president’s public schedule when it was revised after he contracted the coronavirus.
New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman shared an email she obtained from a source that was sent to all governors’ offices at 8:22 a.m. EDT inviting them to be part of the call. The email specified that the call would be with Trump.
[LIST: People in Trump’s orbit tested for COVID-19]
Another source says an email went out to all governors’ offices four hours ago inviting them a call w POTUS. Here is email. pic.twitter.com/3yOw8esiGZ
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) October 2, 2020
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters on Friday morning that the president was experiencing “mild symptoms.” But he also said Trump was “energetic” and “in good spirits” and still working from the White House residence.
First lady Melania Trump and White House adviser Hope Hicks have also tested positive for COVID-19.
