Trump Positive for Covid

Ratified in 1967, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution gives the vice president the ability to assume the powers of the presidency if he has the support of the executive Cabinet.

First lady Melania Trump says she dreaded the diagnosis after she and the president got sick. "Luckily [Barron] is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms."

Now out of the hospital and back on the campaign trail, President Trump has been downplaying the risks of catching the virus, a new twist in his defense of how the White House handled the pandemic.

Doctors say people who have had COVID-19 can test positive but no longer be contagious. Trump's doctor said Trump is "no longer a transmission risk to others" but did not say if Trump tested negative.

White House physician Dr. Sean Conley says the president is no longer contagious 10 days after the onset of symptoms, but did not give details on whether Trump has tested negative for the coronavirus.

The White House said Friday it would give an update when the president tests negative and is cleared by his medical team. His doctor said Thursday he expected Trump would be good to go by the weekend.

Donors mingled with the president indoors without masks after being screened with rapid tests, which aren't always reliable. Health experts say he shouldn't have gone after an adviser tested positive.

Trump's physician said Trump could resume "public engagements" as soon as Saturday. But experts say that may be too soon, both for his own health and the safety of those around him.

The coronavirus outbreak originating at the White House may have spread cases to dozens of other communities. But tracing related cases and stopping further spread is extremely challenging.

Even harsh critics of the president have been careful not to wish him ill, and some religious leaders hope he gains wisdom from his experience.