Trump’s Sanford rally nixed; status of Miami debate with Biden uncertain

By John Haughey
The Center Square
October 2, 2020

With President Donald Trump testing positive for COVID-19 and quarantining in the White House, his campaign rally Friday in Sanford has been cancelled and the status of his debate Oct. 15 with Joe Biden in Miami is uncertain.

Trump announced on Twitter after midnight Friday he and First Lady Melania Trump were diagnosed with the disease. The president and White House staff were tested after senior adviser Hope Hicks tested positive for COVID-19.

The president was experiencing “mild symptoms,” White House physician Dr. Sean Conley said in a Friday morning statement. “The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence,” Conley said. “Rest assured I expect the President to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments.”

Trump’s announcement 32 days before the election comes as millions of Americans already have cast ballots via mail or in-person in some states. Florida’s in-person early voting kicks off Oct. 19.

Trump’s 7 p.m. Friday rally at Orlando Sanford International Airport was to be the first in a series of Florida appearances his campaign was planning in a final push to capture the state’s 29 electoral votes.

Trump kicked off his re-election campaign at the Amway Center in Orlando in June 2019 and held another rally in south Florida in November. Last week, he attended a Latinos For Trump roundtable in Miami and staged a “2016-style rally” in Jacksonville.

His 2020 re-election campaign had not been as aggressive as 2016 in Florida, particularly in central Florida’s I-4 corridor, where Democrats have turned the formerly red area purple.

Trump’s 2016 campaign held rallies at the University of Central Florida, Sanford, Orlando, Ocala, Lakeland and Kissimmee.

The status of the Oct. 15 town-hall debate with Biden at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami is uncertain. The debate is 13 days away. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a 14-day quarantine.

Although the president is in quarantine, his campaign will continue in Florida.

Eric Trump has been campaigning in a bus tour that began in Kissimmee in August. Donald Trump Jr. will kick off another bus tour in Kissimmee on Saturday. Ivanka Trump, who spoke with Asian American Trump volunteers and the Citrus Club in Orlando on Wednesday, has not announced schedule changes.

Despite the campaign’s divisive rhetoric, Florida Democrats joined Republicans in expressing support for the First Couple’s recovery.

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, reminded people to wear face masks.

“I don’t support the Trump administration but still wish the President and First Lady Trump a full and speedy recovery,” Eskamani tweeted. “I truly hope no one else near them contracted this virus and encourage everyone to #WearAMask.”

Former Republican governor and now Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist offered “thoughts and prayers” to the Trumps and White House staff, noting “no one is exempt. Until there’s a vaccine, our best defense is to continue to mask up, social distance, and follow [CDC] guidelines.”

State Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, who is running for Congress, offered “Prayers for a full and speedy recovery for the President, First Lady, and anyone else overcoming this hidden enemy. We must stand united as ONE America in this battle against COVID-19.”

State Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater, who was sickened by COVID-19 last spring, tweeted, “As someone who knows firsthand what it is like, my prayers are with the President and the First Lady.”

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Mark Tomes
Trusted Member
Mark Tomes(@mtomes)
3 years ago

I hope Trump and the first lady recover well. Many people have said it was not a matter of if Trump would get the virus, it was when, given his flaunting of CDC guidelines to protect himself and other people. It’s unfortunate that he continued close activities with other people, even after those around him were diagnosed positive. Please, folks, practice wearing masks and social distancing to protect yourself and others. We’re not through this by any means.

Ben Martin
Ben Martin(@ben-martin)
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark Tomes

If you want to stay healthy stay away from sick people. Wearing a mask concentrates pathogens in your breathing environment. It reduces your O2 below OSHA levels. It is like a petri dish for viruses and bacteria. Fresh air is needed to stay healthy. Maybe Trump got around too many people wearing masks.

bob carter
bob carter (@guest_59105)
3 years ago

MAGA Best wishes for a fast recovery and a kicking debate.