The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin and other media figures slammed President Trump after he visited supporters outside the hospital where he is receiving COVID-19 treatment.
Rubin issued a series of tweets saying Trump’s short drive-by visit was irresponsible, adding that the “GOP is a death cult” and that Trump “wants to infect his supporters.”
The GOP is a death cult. There is only one pro-life party and it’s not them
— Jennifer ‘Vote Early’ Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 4, 2020
He is in the hospital for covid and he wants to infect his supporters??!???!?
— Jennifer ‘Vote Early’ Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 4, 2020
I would suggest covid has already impaired his judgment so he is a risk to others. 25th Amendment, anyone?
— Jennifer ‘Vote Early’ Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 4, 2020
I would hope that if any harm comes to those agents the attorney general of MD will indict Trump for reckless endangerment, assault (yes the virus he gives off count), etc.
— Jennifer ‘Vote Early’ Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 4, 2020
Other media figures also issued messages criticizing Trump’s move.
“It is outrageous for the president to have left the hospital — even briefly — amid a health crisis without a protective pool present to ensure that the American people know where their president is and how he is doing,” he said. “Now more than ever, the American public deserves independent coverage of the president so they can be reliably informed about his health,” the Associated Press’s Zeke Miller said in a statement.
The president who is infected with coronavirus, doesn’t appear to be wearing a medical grade mask, there’s a secret service agent in front of him is. The president looks to be wearing a cloth mask similarity to the one he has occasionally been seen wearing. (Pic via CNN) pic.twitter.com/14aVblUfvB
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) October 4, 2020
Just sent this video to a Secret Service source who responded: “So reckless and careless and heartless” https://t.co/5DE6Y9GSEe
— Elizabeth Landers (@ElizLanders) October 4, 2020
Why is a sick President riding in an SUV waving to supporters outside Walter Reed, jeopardizing the Secret Service agents inside the car with him?
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) October 4, 2020
Trump has gotten in a car so he can wave to supporters outside Walter Reed. As you can see from footage, this meant multiple agents riding in a car with Trump while he carries the coronavirus pic.twitter.com/FIk4CtApnu
— MJ Lee (@mj_lee) October 4, 2020
Trump just tweeted that he’s going to visit supporters outside of Walter Reed. A man infected with COVID is going outside, possibly putting staffers and more at risk.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 4, 2020
On top of ballistic vest, Secret Service agent in the front seat wearing gloves, face shield, N95 mask and gown. More threats than usual to contend with on a trip that certainly doesn’t appear to have been necessary. https://t.co/1RezQG1beV
— David Common (@davidcommon) October 4, 2020
Trump keeps putting others at risk needlessly including the Secret Service agents charged with protecting him. Shameful. https://t.co/rHNfir6cXK
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) October 4, 2020
It’s been clear since the start of Covid that personally becoming a super-spreader was Trump’s destiny, but I have to admit I didn’t expect him to be this overt about hurting his own supporters. He’s going to be hosting maskless meet-and-greets “for my strongest fans” by midweek.
— David Roth (@david_j_roth) October 4, 2020
Trump left the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday evening to drive past and greet the throng of people holding “Trump 2020” flags.
He hinted he would meet with the supporters minutes earlier when he tweeted a video of himself providing an update on his health.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows spoke with Fox News Monday morning and said the president is ready for a normal work schedule, and the administration is “optimistic” he will be discharged later today.
“Spoke to the president this morning. He continued to improve overnight and is ready to get back to a normal working schedule. He will meet with his doctors and nurses this morning to make further assessments of his progress,” Meadows said.
“We are still optimistic that he will be able to return to the White House later today.”
