Trump’s positive virus test felt across the globe
Reactions range from well wishes to criticism of president
LONDON — President Donald Trump’s disclosure that he had been infected by the coronavirus sent a shudder around the world on Friday, drawing sympathy from leaders who have grappled with the pandemic in their own countries and more pointed responses from critics who noted Mr. Trump’s own cavalier handling of the threat.
Trump is not the first world leader to be infected. Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain and President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil both tested positive. Johnson ended up in an intensive care unit where, he said later, “things could have gone either way.”
But Trump, 74, is older and at higher risk than either of those men. And the news of an American president contracting a potentially lethal virus carried global repercussions beyond that of any other world leader.
Expressions of concern and good wishes f or Trump’s speedy recovery — as well as that of first lady Melania Trump, who also was infected — poured in from officials in India, Britain and other countries.
“Wishing my f r i end @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a quick recovery and good health,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India said on Twitter.
“My best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady,” Johnson said on Twitter, making no mention of his own bout with COVID-19. “Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus.”
President Vladimir Putin of Russia said he hoped Trump would have a “swift recovery,” according to the Interfax news agency. In a telegram to the president, Putin added, “I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus.”
Some commentators noted that it was a grim reminder of a virus that does not distinguish between rich and poor, weak and powerful.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction tweeted, “Nobody is immune from #COVID19.”
In Myanmar, a Baptist minister who met with Trump in the Oval Office last year, and told him about oppression and torture by the military, said that having COVID-19 could help the president better understand the pain of others.
“There are many critics of Trump re g a rdi ng COVID-19,” Hkalam Samson said. “Now he is suffering himself and he should be compassionate for his people by now.”
Others suggested a degree of justice in his diagnosis, given Trump’s record of diminishing the threat of the virus, refusing simple precautions like wearing a mask and running risks like holding campaign rallies with little to no social distancing. During the presidential debate Tuesday, he mocked former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing a mask.
For allies and adversaries alike, as they woke up Friday to the news of Trump’s infection, the immediate concerns involved security as the world’s most powerful nation confronted the potential incapacitation of its
commander in chief.
The United States has a well-established chain of succession if the president is unable to fulfill his duties. But the spread of the virus within the White House complex — and the close proximity of Hope Hicks, the aide who first showed symptoms of COVID-19, to Trump and others in his circle — raised worries about how many other top officials may be at risk, including Vice President Mike Pence.
Inevitably, given Trump’s history of playing down the virus, there was an element of “I told you so” in some of
the reactions abroad.
In China, which Trump has blamed as the source of the virus, the news set off an online firestorm and within an hour had rocketed to the top of the most-searched topics on Sina Weibo, a popular though heavily censored social media platform.
The commentary reflected a mix of sympathy, disbelief and even celebration from some who saw the development as just retribution for Trump, who is widely seen in China as having spearheaded the recent downward spiral in relations between the United States and China.
“The whole world rejoices!” read one comment on Sina Weibo that was liked 55,000 times in the hour after it was posted
Hu Xijin, the chief editor of The Global Times, a nationalist Chinese stateowned tabloid, put it in brash terms.
“President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19. The news shows the severity of the US’ pandemic situation,” Hu tweeted. “It will impose a negative impact on the image of Trump and the US, and may also negatively affect his reelection.”