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News of the world’s most powerful man being infected with the coronavirus sparked instant reactions of shock, sympathy, undisguised joy, and, of course, the ever-present outrage and curiosity that follows much of what Donald Trump does.
The US President’s announcement that he and US First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for Covid-19 permeated the global news cycle, sparking comment everywhere from presidential offices to the thousands of people on social media.
Here is a sample of some of the reactions:
The positive test reading for the leader of the world’s largest economy adds further uncertainty to investor concerns, including how the infection could affect the Nov.3 election between Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
Futures for US stocks and Asian stocks fell on the news. Future contracts for both the S&P 500 and the Dow Industrials lost 1.9%. Oil prices also fell.
Stock prices in Japan and Australia fell.
“To say that this could be a big problem is an understatement,” financial services firm Rabobank said in a comment. “Anyway, now everything takes a back seat to the latest incredible twist in this US election campaign.”
World leaders and officials were quick to weigh in, and there was sympathy and something that approached frustration.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “I wish my friend @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a speedy recovery and good health.”
Ties between the United States and India have prospered under Trump, and India is seen as a partner in balancing China’s growing weight in Asia.
Australian Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, deputy leader of the conservative Nationals party, told Australian Broadcasting Corp: “Our best wishes go to the President and the First Lady, but it shows that no one is immune to and catches Covid-19. So it shows that no matter the precautions, we are all susceptible to this.
“A difficult time, and it just goes to show that a global pandemic can 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 the number of masks that are used in Japan. ”.
Major media around the world also highlighted the announcement, and bulletins appeared on television screens in Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei and Beijing.
China’s official Xinhua News Agency and state broadcaster CCTV announced the news, but there was no immediate comment from the government in Beijing 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 the holiday news, on the popular social media app Weibo a few hours after the announcement, with the most mocking or critical comments. .
One user darkly joked that Trump finally tweeted something positive.
The Chinese government has been angered by Trump’s attempts to blame China, where the disease emerged, for the pandemic, and called for global cooperation to combat it, a message that has resonated with the public.
Hu Xijin, 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, and a host broke the news along with an unflattering image of the US president surrounded by what appeared to be giant coronaviruses.
Ties between the United States and Iran have suffered since Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Tehran nuclear deal with world powers and re-imposed crushing sanctions.
Social media platforms in Asia ignited with quick reaction.
While the uncertainty seemed palpable on a scroll across the social media of various nations, many of the comments seemed to revel in the announcement.
“Here’s your chance to test your idea of injecting disinfectant into yourself and fight (the accusations that) it was fake news!” Hiroyuki Nishimura, a Japanese internet entrepreneur, tweeted, referring to an idea Trump put forward earlier this year for treatment.
Keio University economics professor Masaru Kaneko tweeted that populist leaders such as Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro “got 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? “
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