Politics

‘Energetic’ Trump will keep working amid COVID-19 diagnosis: Mark Meadows

WASHINGTON — President Trump is feeling “energetic” and remains in high spirits after testing positive for the coronavirus overnight, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Friday.

Meadows confirmed the 74-year-old commander-in-chief was experiencing “mild symptoms” but wouldn’t say what treatment his doctors would prescribe him.

“He continues to be not only in good spirits but very energetic,” he told reporters at the White House on Friday morning, adding that the first lady was also feeling well.

Meadows said doctors were monitoring the couple’s health but that Trump was “engaged” and would continue working as he quarantines at the White House.

“He is not only staying committed to working very hard on behalf of the American people, his first question to me this morning was, ‘How’s the economy doing? How’re the stimulus talks going on Capitol Hill?'” he said.

News of the president’s diagnosis came just hours after it was revealed that White House counselor Hope Hicks, one of Trump’s closest advisers, had tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling with him all week.

Meadows said Hicks discovered her results as Marine One was taking off on Thursday for a fundraiser at his golf resort in New Jersey and people were pulled off the trip.

He said all core staff around the president had been tested for the coronavirus and defended the fact that members of the administration weren’t seen wearing masks in the West Wing on Friday morning because they had returned negative COVID-19 tests.

The president’s diagnosis comes just 32 days before Election Day and effectively grounds his re-election campaign.