Trump Slammed Over ‘Don’t Be Afraid Of COVID’ Tweet

President Donald Trump told social media followers on Monday to not be afraid of COVID-19, as he announced he was set to leave Walter Reed Military Hospital in the evening. The tweet drew a widespread rebuke on social media, with critics attacking the post as insensitive.

“I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M,” Trump tweeted. “Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”

Trump was attacked for lacking empathy, as the nation’s death toll from the virus exceeds 210,000. The Trump administration has frequently downplayed the danger of the virus.

“‘Don’t be afraid of Covid’ is an evil thing to say to those of us who lost our loved ones to Covid 19," Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., replied to Trump. “This man is unfit to be President, he lacks the compassion and humanity it takes to lead our country.”

Trump and Omar have frequently attacked one another. Trump has called Omar an “anti-Semite,” while Omar has labeled Trump a xenophobe and racist.

‘“Don’t be afraid of Covid’ should be the end of Trump’s presidency and the Republican Party,” tweeted Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter for President Barack Obama.

“The President says he is leaving the hospital this evening, declaring, ‘Don’t be afraid of Covid’” CBS White House correspondent Weijia Jiang tweeted. “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Trump had access to treatments that on one else in the country does.”

Trump has received experimental treatments for the virus that are not widely available to the general public. For example, Trump received an experimental antibody cocktail from Regeneron to treat the infection.

The announcement that Trump tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday has upended the presidential race. Democratic nominee Joe Biden has said he is praying for the president and first lady Melania Trump but urged him to listen to scientists.

“Now that President Trump is busy tweeting campaign messages, I would ask him to do this: Listen to the scientists. Support masks. Support mask mandates nationwide,” Biden tweeted.

Biden on Monday campaigned in Miami and will take part in a televised town hall. Although Trump is recovering from the virus, Vice President Mike Pence and members of the Trump family are campaigning across the country on his behalf, known as Operation MAGA.