A new book reveals the former president was 'gravely ill' when he had the virus last October as his condition went on 'a rapid spiral downward' hours after it was announced that he tested positive.
- Jun 25, 2021
AceShowbiz - Donald Trump's battle with COVID-19 in October 2020 was much more severe than he or his advisors indicated, a new book uncovers. According to "Nightmare Scenario: Inside the Trump Administration's Response to the Pandemic That Changed History" written by Washington Post reporters Damian Paletta and Yasmeen Abutaleb, the then-president was "gravely ill" at the time and his advisors feared that he would die from the virus.
In an excerpt of the book obtained by The Washington Post, the authors write, "Hours after his tweet announcing he and first lady Melania Trump had coronavirus infections, the president began a rapid spiral downward." Detailing his serious condition at the time, they claim, "His fever spiked, and his blood oxygen level fell below 94 percent, at one point dipping into the 80s."
As for the treatment, Paletta and Abutaleb write, "Sean Conley, the White House physician, attended the president at his bedside. Trump was given oxygen to stabilize him." They add that "doctors gave Trump an eight-gram dose of two monoclonal antibodies through an intravenous tube."
"That experimental treatment was what had required the FDA's sign-off," the book further discloses. "He was also given a first dose of the antiviral drug remdesivir, also by IV. That drug was authorized for use but still hard to get for many patients because it was in short supply."
As Trump debated whether to go to the hospital or not, his aides presented him with two options: Go to the hospital now, while he could still walk under his own volition, or wait until later, when the press could spot him in a wheelchair.
Trump indeed was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, but his condition worsened. The book's authors write, "At least two of those who were briefed on Trump's medical condition that weekend said he was gravely ill and feared that he wouldn't make it out of Walter Reed."
Trump was released from the hospital three days later against medical advice, as he was still struggling with COVID. As he returned to the White House, he played down the disease and told Americans, "Don't be afraid of COVID."
