Minnesota Democrats Wish Trumps A Quick Recovery, Remind All To Stay Vigilant Of Virus

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Following a visit to Minnesota, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump both tested positive for COVID-19.

During Trump's visit, several prominent Minnesota Republicans, including Congressmen Tom Emmer, Jim Hagedorn, and Pete Stauber flew with him aboard Air Force One. They were joined by Jason Lewis, who is currently running against Sen. Tina Smith in the November election. They have chosen to self-isolate following their potential exposure.

On Friday morning, Joe Biden confirmed he and Jill Biden tested negative for the virus, even after relatively close contact during the first presidential debate.

Minnesota DFL party members wished the President and the First Lady well.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, who was the target of verbal attacks by Trump during the course of his Duluth rally this week, issued the following statement:

"As someone who lost my own father to this virus and seen the pain it causes, I do not wish it on anyone.

"Over 200,000 people have now died while this Administration actively ignores public health guidance and suppresses science. For months, we have been hoping for a simple acknowledgment from the President—to hear the words, 'We will get through this together.' And now we only hear those words when it is about him—not the hundreds of thousands of people who have lost their lives, and the millions whose families have been touched by it because of his malfeasance.

"Their cruelty is a direct threat to my constituents. This week, the President held a rally and fundraiser in Minnesota, flouting the guidance of his own health agencies by failing to wear a mask. In doing so, he exposed hundreds in a state that is already suffering from an uptick in cases. Republican members of our Congressional delegation travelled with him on Air Force One and have not quarantined. In fact, they came to the Capitol today, risking the lives of additional elected leaders and staff.

"The President of the United States and Republicans in Minnesota are actively spreading a deadly virus. They are a risk to the public health of my constituents and our country."

Sen. Smith said she wished them a speedy recovery. Their diagnosis is "an important reminder that no one is immune to COVID-19. Please, wear a mask," she said.

Amy Klobuchar echoed Smith's well-wishes, and also added, as her husband was hospitalized with the virus in March, that "no family should have to go through" the difficult disease.

Trump's announcement came just hours after Minnesota surpassed a benchmark number for COVID-19: on Thursday, the state surpassed over 100,000 cumulative cases.

Walz referenced the timing in his tweet, wishing the President and the First Lady a "speedy recovery."

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin also released a statement, saying "All of us at the Minnesota DFL Party wish the President and First Lady a swift and full recovery from COVID-19. We are praying for their health and the well-being of those they have come into contact with in the past few days.

"This troubling news underscores the ongoing threat posed to us all by the coronavirus pandemic. We must remain vigilant, follow the CDC guidelines, and abide by Minnesota's mask order to limit the spread of this virus and protect our health and that of our friends, families, and communities," he continued.

In:
• Tim Walz
• COVID-19
• Donald Trump
• Amy Klobuchar