Donald Trump didn't reveal a positive result from a rapid COVID test on Thursday and waited until after he appeared on Fox News and he underwent a second screening
Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 but did not immediately reveal the information, choosing instead to appear on Fox News and await the results of a second test before his diagnosis was disclosed, it has been reported.
Trump received a positive result on Thursday evening before his appearance on Sean Hannity's show.
Speaking to the presenter, a friend, he did not reveal those results.
Instead, he confirmed earlier reports that Hope Hicks, one of his top aides, had tested positive for coronavirus and said he had also been tested.
Donald Trump is pictured on Friday, having tested positive for COVID on Thursday night
Trump announced the news of his test at 1am on Friday, despite having tested positive earlier
He mentioned the second test he had taken that night for which he was awaiting results.
'I'll get my test back either tonight or tomorrow morning,' he said.
CBS News first reported, and the Wall Street Journal confirmed, that by that point, Trump had received a positive result on a rapid test.
At 1am on Friday his positive test result was confirmed.
Trump appeared on Hannity on Thursday night, having already tested positive
Instead of confirming his own results, the president confirmed that Hicks had tested positive
Trump is pictured on Friday arriving at the Walter Reed hospital in Maryland
The White House has not said when Trump last tested negative, which is important information for determining how long he might have had the virus and when he became infectious.
He has had an array of events in the past week, possibly exposing a wide range of people.
On Sunday the president's doctors said that he could be discharged from Walter Reed Medical Center as early as Monday.
They said he was given a steroid and put on oxygen as a treatment for COVID-19.
Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence both tested negative again for coronavirus on Sunday.
Trump tweeted Sunday afternoon, writing: 'I really appreciate all of the fans and supporters outside of the hospital. The fact is, they really love our Country and are seeing how we are MAKING IT GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!'
