We’ll Never Know if President Trump Gets COVID-19

Unless it kills him. (And maybe not even then.)

Trump speaks at a political rally in Tulsa in June, 2020. Photo by Albert Halim / Shutterstock.com

This week’s report that National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien has tested positive for COVID-19 adds to rampant speculation about the administration of President Donald Trump for months. Who in the President’s inner circle has coronavirus? Has the President been exposed?

Has the President already gotten COVID-19?

The speculation started at CPAC in late February. A prominent and influential donor had contracted COVID-19 prior to meeting with the event’s coordinator. The next day, this coordinator shook hands with President Trump on stage in video that was shared internationally.

The day before, at a different event, the President said “Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus … and this is their new hoax.” This was part of a pattern. Whether due to denial or in an effort to put a positive political spin on things, the denial was consistent.

The White House worked to downplay any discussion of risk or concern about the President’s health, even as CPAC closed and the US reported its first coronavirus death.

The importance of appearing to be free from COVID-19 risk is so important that other concerns fall by the wayside. As evidence, Trump appears to be…