Nuke codes close at hand by his sickbed THE HOSPITAL

DONALD Trump has America’s nuclear button by his hospital bed as he battles the disease while still running the country.

Two pictures were released claiming to show the US leader hard at work at a desk while being treated at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre.

Out of shot but close to hand was Trump’s “nuclear football” briefcase, containing the launch codes for America’s atomic arsenal.

A black leather briefcase – which could trigger war – was seen being carried on to Marine One with Trump on Friday as he was airlifted to the hospital.

Nicknamed the President’s Hospital, Walter Reed has treated virtually every US leader since Franklin D Roosevelt in the 1940s.

The facility has also served as the site of President John F Kennedy’s autopsy. The presidential suite within the centre, in Bethesda, Maryland, includes a nine-room ward which is equipped for a president to work and perform their duties as though they were in the White House.

It has its own intensive care unit, kitchen, secure conference room to allow intelligence briefings, a living room and sleeping quarters so the US leader’s physician can be present at all times.

Trump can host general officers and Cabinet-level officials so he can continue to lead the country.

If he requires speciality care the White House physician cannot provide, specialists whose background checks have already been done are available to the President.

Ironically, the first time Trump wore a mask in public after months of refusal was on July 11, during a trip to Walter Reed to visit ailing troops.

CASE US’s nuclear football is carried onto Trump’s helicopter