The positive coronavirus tests of President Donald Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, have prompted messages of support from a number of world leaders.
Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, whom Trump visited earlier this year in a much heralded trip was quick to tweet his support. “Wishing my friend @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a quick recovery and good health,” he wrote.
In neighboring Pakistan, the prime minister Imran Khan also sent his good wishes, tweeting: “Wishing President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump speedy recovery from COVID-19.”
In Europe, Poland’s prime minister Andrzej Duda also tweeted his support for the first couple, with the message: “Our good wishes for speedy recovery to our Friends @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS. #Poland and #USA will get through the hardships and succeed in fighting #COVID19.”
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The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, shared Trump’s tweet, adding the message: “Wishing @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a speedy recovery. #COVIDー19 is a battle we all continue to fight. Everyday. No matter where we live.”
Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, whose administration Trump has vociferously backed during increasing tensions with mainland China, also showed her support, sending her best wishes to the first couple via the island’s foreign affairs ministry, according to presidential Office spokesperson Zhang Dunhan, Apple Daily reported.
In response to the tweet by Trump announcing the first couple’s illness, the Taiwanese Kuomintang political party tweeted: “May good health envelop you and @Flotus, spurring a quick recovery. Let’s make every effort TOGETHER to help mitigate the spread of #COVID-19 in the world. God bless everyone affected by this pandemic.”
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The editor-in-chief of China’s government-backed newspaper, the Global Times, took a less sympathetic line, suggesting that Trump only had himself to blame for contracting the disease.
“President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the Covid-19,” tweeted Hu Xijin.
“The news shows the severity of the US’ pandemic situation. It will impose a negative impact on the image of Trump and the US, and may also negatively affect his re-election.”
Meanwhile, the Welsh first minister Mike Drakeford told Sky News he sends “all personal best wishes” to the president, but said Trump “always downplayed the virus” and “this is bound to make people in the United States wonder about the quality of the leadership they have been offered.”