Trump ‘fit for public engagements’
Pushing for in-person debate with Biden
UNITED States President Donald Trump, who is pushing for an inperson debate, secured a doctor’s statement saying he was expected to be able to resume public engagements today.
The New York Times reported a person close to the White House saying Trump was discussing holding a public event with people on the White House grounds today.
Trump said he was feeling “really good” and might return to the campaign trail.
His physician said in a memo Trump had completed his course of therapy and could return to public engagements.
The newspaper also reported that the virus “cure” that Trump touted on Wednesday was created with cells originally derived from foetal tissue, a practice he had condemned.
In June 2019, the Trump administration suspended federal funding for most new scientific research involving fetal tissue derived from abortions.
Last week the president received Regeneron’s cocktail of monoclonal antibodies. To develop the antibodies, Regeneron relied on 293T, ahuman cell line derived from foetal tissue.
Trump, who was hospitalised for three days after disclosing last Friday he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, added more more turbulence to the election campaign by pulling out of an October 15 debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden after it was changed to a virtual event.
“I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate. That’s not what debating is all about,” Trump said in a phone interview with Fox Business. “You sit behind a computer and do a debate – it’s ridiculous, and then they cut you off whenever they want.”
On Thursday night, he told Fox News he was feeling “really good” and might return to the campaign trail today, possibly with a rally in Florida.
Trump’s decision not to participate in a virtual debate means the second and final debate between the two White House contenders will be on October 22, less than two weeks before the November 3 election.
In lieu of the October 15 debate, Biden’s campaign arranged a town hall-style event in Philadelphia that night to be hosted by ABC News.
Some Trump advisers questioned his decision not to participate in the new debate format, arguing he would miss an opportunity to make his case to millions of voters tuned in, a source familiar with the situation said.
A Reuters/ipsos poll this week showed Americans were losing confidence in how Trump has managed the health crisis. The poll found 37% of American adults approved of Trump’s handling of the pandemic and 59% disapproved. The net approval rating of negative 22 percentage points is the lowest in the poll dating back to March 2 and has declined over the last 10 days.
As Election Day approaches, early voting has exceeded records. More than 6 million ballots have been cast.
Opinion polls show Biden leading nationally causing wealthy Americans to scramble to change their estate plans before year-end, worried that Biden may win the election and raise taxes, say financial advisers to the moneyed set.
Wealthy people are especially nervous that an exemption allowing individuals to leave up to $11.58 million (about R190m) to heirs, free of estate or gift taxes, could be cut before it expires in 2025.
Democrats want to raise estate taxes according to the party’s platform. | Reuters and AP