White House officials sought to project an air of business as usual despite President Donald Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis and hospitalisation, but aides privately expressed concern about the presidential election and showed signs of rising worry about the coronavirus.
"The business of government continues," economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters after Trump disclosed on Twitter on Friday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Trump flew by helicopter to Walter Reed Medical Center for treatment in the early evening. But staff members said he would continue working from a special suite there and that he had remained engaged in governing throughout the day. He did not transfer power to Vice President Mike Pence.
In an 18-second video recorded inside the White House and released on Twitter, Trump broke his silence, saying he was being hospitalised but "I think I'm doing very well."
"We're going to make sure that things work out," he said, adding that First Lady Melania Trump -- who also contracted the virus -- was "doing very well."
