After confusion, Trumps will visit Children’s Hospital

After 10 hours of confusion, it was confirmed late Monday that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will visit Nationwide Children’s Hospital during a visit to Columbus on Friday.

The announcement came from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, with a spokeswoman saying additional details would have to come from the White House.

The White House apparently mixed up its Columbus hospitals in announcing early Monday afternoon that the Trumps would make an official visit prior to Trump’s remarks at a Republican dinner on Friday.

A White House spokeswoman said that the first couple were to tour the “Ohio State University Children’s Hospital” neonatal intensive-care unit. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center does not have a children’s hospital, but it does house a Nationwide Children’s Hospital NICU.

Later on Monday, an Ohio State University spokesman said the White House’s statement was in error: The Trumps are not scheduled to visit the medical campus. He suggested a call to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which could confirm no visit until 10:30 p.m.

The White House spokeswoman responded to a request for clarification on Monday evening by saying she still was looking into details.

Trump is scheduled to address the Ohio Republican Party State Dinner on Friday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Republican Chairwoman Jane Timken said Monday that tickets to her VIP reception (maxing out at $10,000 for 10 guests) are sold out, and that dinner seating priced at $250 for individuals was “extremely limited.”

Trump also is to attend a fundraiser for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jim Renacci, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.