Local lawmakers react to President Trump’s positive COVID-19 test

October 2, 2020 7:43 AM

Jaymes Langrehr,

Posted: October 2, 2020 7:43 AM

Updated: October 2, 2020 7:33 PM

by Jaymes Langrehr

MADISON, Wis. — Reaction continues to come in Friday morning from leaders across the world and locally after President Donald Trump announced he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19.

Gov. Tony Evers issued a statement via Twitter Friday morning.

Kathy and I are sending our best wishes to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in their recovery.

— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) October 2, 2020

Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker also shared his well wishes to the Trump family after hearing the news Friday morning.

Prayers for protection for the @POTUS and @FLOTUS 🙏🏼

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) October 2, 2020

Senator Tammy Baldwin took the opportunity to stress the importance of working to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Wisconsin reported a record 2,887 new #COVID19 cases yesterday and now President Trump and the First Lady have tested positive. I wish them and everyone affected a quick recovery, and I hope that we will all do our part to stop the spread of this deadly virus and help save lives.

— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) October 2, 2020

Congressman Mark Pocan, a Democrat who represents Madison in the U.S. House of Representatives, also tweeted his wishes for a speedy recovery for the president, adding this should be a sign to the rest of the country that the virus needs to be taken seriously, saying “ignorance or arrogance or denial can be costly.”

My thoughts are with @realDonaldTrump and the First Lady. I hope for a speedy recovery. This should show the nation the need to take Covid-19 seriously, and that means wearing a mask and properly social distancing. Ignorance or arrogance or denial can be costly.

— Mark Pocan (@MarkPocan) October 2, 2020

Republican Congressman Bryan Steil also sent his prayers to the president and everyone else afflicted with COVID-19, saying he remains committed to protecting everyone’s health from the virus.

My prayers are with the President and First Lady, with the families who have suffered at the hands of this virus, and with the families who have lost someone to coronavirus. I remain committed to defeating this virus and protecting our health.

— Bryan Steil (@RepBryanSteil) October 2, 2020

The president was scheduled to make two campaign stops in Wisconsin on Saturday before the diagnosis. Those plans are now in doubt after First Lady Melania Trump tweeted that she and the president are postponing upcoming events.

As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 2, 2020

The president’s calendar for Friday was cleared after the announcement, except for a single call about how COVID-19 affects the older population.