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Trump's Coronavirus Infection Upends Presidential Campaign

Brian Padden

   WASHINGTON - The coronavirus pandemic has again upended the U.S.
   presidential campaign with President Donald Trump's announcement early
   Friday morning that he and first lady Melania Trump have contracted the
   potentially deadly virus.

   Both the president and the first lady placed themselves in quarantine,
   and Trump was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical
   Center in late afternoon following reports that he developed a fever.
   White House officials emphasized the president is not incapacitated and
   would continue to work from the hospital.

   Trump's battle with the coronavirus could rally public support for him,
   as often happens in a time of crisis. But it could also conflict with
   his campaign message that everything is getting back to normal.

   "It's very unpredictable at this time," said John Fortier, a political
   analyst with the Bipartisan Policy Center.

   The second presidential debate, scheduled for October 15, could be
   postponed or canceled if Trump is too ill to participate or remains in
   quarantine to prevent the spread of infection. The debate, which was to
   be a town hall-style event with a live audience in Miami, could also be
   changed to a virtual format with participation via video conferencing.

   With the November election just weeks away, Fortier said, both
   presidential candidates are making their "primary argument" to win over
   undecided voters and generate enthusiasm among supporters.

   Pandemic focus

   Trump had been holding mass rallies where he has downplayed the
   seriousness of the virus and many supporters have not worn masks. At an
   event in New Jersey on Thursday, the president said the development of
   a vaccine was imminent and that ''the end of the pandemic is in sight."

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