Politics - News Analysis
Chief of Staff Mark Meadows: The Next 48 Hours ‘Will Be Critical’ For Trump
It has been a very difficult and confusing 24 hours, with a range of information coming from the White House concerning the health of President Donald Trump.
Just minutes after Trump’s physician presented a relatively rosy picture of his COVID-19 condition, a source familiar with the president’s health gave a much more concerning picture.
“The president’s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We’re still not on a clear path to a full recovery,” the source said in the statement, which was sent to members of the White House pool.
And we now know that source is none other than White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. In a rookie move at best, the ex-Congressman was captured on camera earlier today walking over to reporters right after the doctors’ press conference and asking to be “off the record.”
UPDATE: Immediately after the press conference ended and before the anonymous statement was sent out, Mark Meadows briefed reporters without cameras—but he was caught on a feed asking to be off the record. pic.twitter.com/JyrhSmu1Y0
— Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) October 3, 2020
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Additionally, the New York Times and the AP are reporting that sources tell them Trump was given “supplemental oxygen” at the White House on Friday before being choppered over to Walter Reed Medical Center later that day. The question of oxygen being administered was deflected by Dr. Sean Conley during the brief presser in front of Walter Reed this morning when he did everything in his power to NOT answer the question being asked:
This Conley guy is a classic slippery Trumpian character. Check out how he refuses to give a straight answer about whether Trump has ever been on supplemental oxygen. pic.twitter.com/9n2xOrzk6e
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 3, 2020
From the Associated Press:
President Donald Trump went through a “very concerning” period Friday and the next 48 hours “will be critical” in his care as he battles the coronavirus at a hospital, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Saturday. Meadows’ comments contradicted the rosy assessment of Trump’s condition offered by his staff and doctors, who took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House before his hospital admission.
“We’re still not on a clear path yet to a full recovery,” said a weary Meadows. It was a dramatically different picture than the one painted by the White House staff since Trump revealed his diagnosis as well as by his doctors, who updated the public at a press conference at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. White House officials, including Meadows, had insisted Friday that Trump had only “mild symptoms” as they tried to project an image of normalcy.
Why is Mark Meadows revealing this rather important news? Bill Kristol has an idea:
Rethinking a bit:
What if Meadows isn't a fool but is acting responsibly?
What if Trump told docs to put good face on things?
What if Meadows knows it's bad, that Sec. 3 of 25A for temporary transfer of power could be needed? Could he be trying to box Trump in to having to agree?— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) October 3, 2020
So, is Trump sicker than his doctors are leading us to believe?
Twitter seems to think so:
BREAKING NEWS: We now appear to have video confirmation that Mark Meadows—Trump's Chief of Staff—was the one who told the White House "pool" off-the-record that Trump's vitals were "concerning" and that there is "not a clear path" to a full recovery. https://t.co/p5s3rWqEd7
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) October 3, 2020
"But according to a person familiar with Trump’s condition, Trump was administered oxygen at the White House on Friday before he was transported…The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity."
Looks like the source is Meadows.👇🏻 https://t.co/bhfSza2L4r
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) October 3, 2020
This is beyond foolish & inappropriate. And if what Meadows said is true, shouldn't there be a formal or at least informal triggering of Sec. 3 of 25th Amendment? If there's a crisis, is Trump up to directing Esper, Pompeo et al? Or do they call Pence? Govt needs clarity on this. https://t.co/YHcSOUCmrj
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) October 3, 2020
Unbelievable – so the 'source' for the statement that president's vitals being 'very concerning' I'm going to guess is Mark Meadows, the chief of staff – seen here briefing my colleagues, straight after the press conference by @realDonaldTrump physician https://t.co/oBRPPZH1qw
— Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) October 3, 2020
So the anonymous source briefing the press that the official doctor briefing was bullshit and that Trump is in way worse shape than officially stated is the White House Chief of Staff. https://t.co/HHtKPlEiPK
— Scary Whitta (@garywhitta) October 3, 2020
It appears @realDonaldTrump 's physician was spinning when he said Trump is "doing very well", & Meadows says (off camera) Trump is much sicker than portrayed, & the next 48 hours are critical. So, what the hell is gong on? https://t.co/MVGTAa5jY9
— Sol (@forwardarc) October 3, 2020
And of course, Trump says everything is peachy keen:
Doctors, Nurses and ALL at the GREAT Walter Reed Medical Center, and others from likewise incredible institutions who have joined them, are AMAZING!!!Tremendous progress has been made over the last 6 months in fighting this PLAGUE. With their help, I am feeling well!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2020
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