Trump on Barron and COVID-19 ABC News Script

10/14 WNT

First Lady Melania Trump revealed today that not long after she became infected with coronavirus, quote,  “My fear came true” and that her son Barron had also tested positive for Covid-19: “Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms…He has since tested negative.” 

She shared the story late today in an article on White House website entilted  “My personal experience with COVID-19.” 

Minutes after the article was posted, President Trump was asked about his son —  as he answered, he quickly changed the subject to the confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett and his upcoming rally in Iowa. 

SOT (or NATSOT)

162509 REPORTER: How’s Barron sir? 

162513 TRUMP: Barron’s fine and Amy is doing a fantastic job, we’re heading out to Iowa, and we have a big rally, a lot of people, and we look forward to it, and again Amy I think is doing an incredible job. 

TRACK: 1

In the past, President Trump has said young people, for the most part, are not in danger of getting COVID-19. 

SOT:

TRUMP SOT: 203314 You look at you, take your hat off to the young, because they have a hell of an immune system. But, it affects virtually nobody. It’s a  — it’s an amazing thing. 

TRACK: 2

The President himself was taken via helicopter to one of the best hospitals in the world were he was treated for three days after he was infected– but since testing recovering, he’s pronounced himself better than ever. 

SOT:

TRUMP:  I can feel —  I feel so powerful. I’ll walk into that audience. I’ll walk in there. I’ll kiss everyone in that audience.  191612 I’ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women and the — everybody. I’ll just give you a big fat kiss. 

TRACK: 3

Striking a different tone, the First Lady writes that although her symptoms were minimal, quote “…they hit me all at once and it seemed to be a roller coaster…”  She says she experienced“…body aches, a cough and headaches, and felt extremely tired most of the time” and that “…the most impactful part of my recovery was the opportunity to reflect on many things—family, friendships, my work, and staying true to who you are.” 

And made it clear keenly aware that her family had access to care most people can’t get: “I want people to know that I understand just how fortunate my family is to have received the kind of care that we did.”