Shock, sympathy, criticism: World reacts to Trump infection

TOKYO (AP) — News that the world’s most powerful man was infected with the world’s most notorious disease dominated screens large and small, drawing instant reactions of shock, sympathy, undisguised glee and, of course, the ever-present outrage and curiosity surrounding President Donald Trump.

Trump’s announcement Friday, on Twitter, that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, and the deep uncertainty that accompanied it, upended countless plans and sparked comment everywhere from presidential offices to the thousands weighing in on social media.

The positive test reading adds more uncertainty to investors’ worries, especially about its effect on the November 3 election between the Republican president and Democrat Joe Biden. 

US stock futures and most world markets fell on the news as did the price of oil.

World leaders were quick to offer official sympathy from the top, while something approaching schadenfreude bubbled up from elsewhere.

Trump joins a growing list of the powerful who have contracted the virus, including many who were sceptical of the disease.

“I’m sure that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with the dangerous virus,” Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote in a direct message to Trump released by the Kremlin.

World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted “My best wishes to President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS for a full and speedy recovery.”

The Trump administration in July formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from WHO, although the pullout won’t take effect until next year.

Trump claims the UN health agency is in need of reform and is heavily influenced by China. The UN secretary-general also sent in best wishes.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was hospitalised for a week in April after he contracted COVID-19, wished Trump a “speedy recovery.”

Dr. Bharat Pankhania, who advises Johnson’s government on communicable disease control, said he hopes that Trump’s positive test sends a message to the president and other leaders.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, speaking at a weekly news conference, did not mention Trump’s reluctance to wear masks when asked about his infection, but she said the news “reminded me of how widely masks are worn in Japan.”

Major media across the globe also played up the announcement, with bulletins crawling across TV screens in Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Dubai and Beijing.

China’s official Xinhua News Agency flashed the news, and an anchor on state broadcaster CCTV announced it; there was no immediate comment from the government Friday, the second day of an eight-day national holiday.

Multiple Arab news media outlets on Friday continuously broadcast footage of Trump and his wife after the virus announcement.

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