Reactions are pouring in from world leaders to the news that President Donald Trump has tested positive for COVID-19.
World leaders weigh in
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first world leader to wish Trump and the First Lady well. Earlier on Friday, he bid them “a full and speedy recovery” after they both tested positive, the Associated Press reported.
“Like millions of Israelis, Sara and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and wish our friends a full and speedy recovery,” Netanyahu said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also offered swift well-wishes. The Kremlin released a statement offering “sincere support in this difficult moment,” according to the AP.
“We certainly wish President Trump a speedy and easy recovery,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Putin further sent Trump a telegram wishing that his “inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with the dangerous virus.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also chimed in. The Prime Minister came down with COVID-19 himself in March. He spent a week in a hospital before ultimately recovering.
“My best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady,” Johnson said. “Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus.”
Less sympathy from some quarters
France’s government was slightly less sympathetic. A government spokesman drew a lesson from the news that the president had contracted coronavirus.
“This demonstrates that the virus spares no one, including those who have shown skepticism,” French spokesman Gabriel Attal said, according to US News. “I wish him a swift recovery.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was more encouraging.
“Sophie and I are sending our best wishes to @POTUS Trump and @FLOTUS,” he said. “We hope you both get well soon and have a full recovery from this virus.”
Many more leaders offered Trump and the First Lady get well wishes on Friday, according to a list compiled by US News. They included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Also sending wishes were Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Austria’s Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
