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The news of the infection of the most powerful man in the world with the most notorious disease has sparked instant reactions of shock, sympathy, undisguised joy and, of course, the ever-present outrage and curiosity that follow much of what Donald does. Trump.
Trump’s announcement on Twitter on Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, and the deep uncertainty that accompanies it, permeated the global news cycle, disrupted countless plans and sparked comment everywhere, from the presidential offices to the thousands seeking an opinion. on social media.
The positive test result for the leader of the world’s largest economy added further uncertainty to investor concerns, including about how the infection could affect the Nov.3 election between Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.
Futures for US stocks and Asian stocks fell on the news. Futures contracts for both the S&P 500 and the Dow Industrials lost 1.9%. Oil prices fell. Stock prices in Japan and Australia fell.
Rabobank said in his comment:
To say that this could be a big problem is an understatement. Anyway, now everything takes a back seat to the latest incredible twist in this US election campaign.
World leaders and officials were quick to comment both sympathetically and schadenfreude.
“I wish my friend @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a speedy recovery and good health,” tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ties between the United States and India have thrived under Trump, and India is seen as a partner in balancing China’s growing weight in Asia.
“Our best wishes go to the president and the first lady, but it shows that no one is immune to Covid-19 and contracting it. So it shows that no matter the precautions, we are all susceptible to this, ”Australian Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, deputy leader of the conservative National Party, told ABC TV.
“A difficult time, and it just goes to show that a global pandemic can, in fact, affect anyone, even the president of the United States.”
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, speaking at a weekly press conference, did not mention Trump’s reluctance to wear masks when asked about his infection, but said the news “reminded me of how many masks are used in Japan. “.
Major media outlets around the world also highlighted the announcement, with bulletins on television screens in Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei and Beijing.
China’s official Xinhua news agency broke the news and an anchor from the state broadcaster CCTV announced it; There was no immediate comment from the government on Friday, the second day of an eight-day national holiday.
The positive test result for Trump and his wife was the most searched topic in China, after news about the holiday, on the widely used social media app Weibo, a few hours after the announcement, with the most comments. mocking or critical.
One user darkly joked that Trump finally tweeted something positive.
The Chinese government has been angered by Trump’s attempts to blame China for the pandemic, where the disease emerged, and called for global cooperation to combat it, a message that has resonated with the Chinese public.
Hu Xijin, the outspoken editor of the state-run Global Times newspaper, tweeted in English that “President Trump and the first lady have paid the price of their bid to downplay Covid-19.”
Iranian state television announced that Trump had the virus, a host who broke the news with an unflattering image of the US president surrounded by what appeared to be giant coronaviruses.
Relations between the United States and Iran have suffered since Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Tehran nuclear deal with world powers and reimposed crushing sanctions.
Asian social media platforms were filled with reactions.
Would Trump blame the Chinese? Would you poke fun at your critics and enemies by quickly going through quarantine without serious symptoms, tweeting away from the White House? Would he become seriously ill, or worse, and, if he did, what would that mean for the US election, one of the most controversial in recent history?
While the uncertainty seemed palpable on a scroll across the social media of various nations, many of the comments were delighted by the announcement.
Hiroyuki Nishimura, a Japanese internet entrepreneur, referring to an idea Trump put forward earlier this year for treatment, tweeted:
Here’s your chance to test your idea of injecting disinfectant into yourself and fight (the accusations that) it was fake news!
Keio University economics professor Masaru Kaneko tweeted that populist leaders such as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro “became infected because they tended not to take the coronavirus seriously. The other two leaders seriously addressed (the virus) after they became infected themselves. Will the United States follow suit? “
