CT Politicians React To Trump Testing Positive For Coronavirus

CONNECTICUT — State politicians took to social media and the airwaves Friday morning to comment on the news of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump testing positive for the coronavirus.

The president and his wife are now among more than 7.26 million Americans who have tested positive for the virus. More than 207,800 Americans have died.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal warned his followers on Twitter that "if this disease can reach the White House, it can infect anyone in any house."

This news is shocking. I wish the President, First Lady, & everyone in the White House a speedy recovery.

If this disease can reach the White House, it can infect anyone in any house. Please remember to wear masks, physically distance, & follow other public health guidelines.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) October 2, 2020

Trump has for months downplayed the severity of the virus and told a political dinner just Thursday night that "the end of the pandemic is in sight."

Gov. Ned Lamont, speaking on WICC Radio Friday morning, wished the first family well.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the president and the first lady, and to Hope Hicks, who is a Connecticut girl," Lamont told host Melissa Sheketoff.

The president and his family were tested after White House adviser Hicks, from Greenwich, was shown to be positive for the coronavirus just hours after traveling with the president.

Predicting "there will be a lot to say about this," Sen. Chris Murphy also wished President Trump and the First Lady the best on Twitter:

There will be a lot to say about this, but let’s start here: The President and the First Lady have a serious, deadly virus and we should all hope for a full recovery. https://t.co/kGp7IV2LuO
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) October 2, 2020

White House officials did not say if the president is showing signs of illness. At 74, he falls into an age group particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, accounting for 80 percent of all deaths.

State Sen. Will Haskell found the news "disturbing" and took it as a "stark reminder that this virus can impact anyone."

Very disturbing news. For the sake of our country, I hope the President and First Lady recover quickly. A stark reminder that this virus can impact anyone. https://t.co/ayB90vV0V9
— Will Haskell (@WillHaskellCT) October 2, 2020

U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes tested positive for the coronavirus last month, and told her Twitter followers she could appreciate what the President and his wife were going through:

I wouldn’t wish this virus on anyone. Praying for the President, his family and staff for negative results and a quick recovery.
— Jahana Hayes (@RepJahanaHayes) October 2, 2020

If the President is incapacitated, the reins of power will be tossed to Vice President Mike Pence. Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence tested negative for the COVID-19 virus Friday morning, hours after the president and first lady were diagnosed with the coronavirus, The Associated Press reported.