Trump's senior campaign adviser says the president is ready to lead the COVID-19 response because he has 'been through it' but protocols won't change at his rallies in the build-up to the election
Donald Trump's senior campaign adviser said Sunday that the president is ready to lead the response against COVID-19 because he understands what people have gone through while battling the virus.
In an interview with CNN, Jason Miller said that protocols at upcoming rallies won't change as Trump looks to build momentum and 'beat [COVID-19] as a country' in the weeks leading up to the November 3 election.
Miller said: 'Importantly, when I was talking with the president just about 15 or 20 minutes ago, he said another thing that I found very telling. He said, “I know what it’s like to go through this. We’re going to beat this as a country. When I get out of here we’re going to be talking a lot about COVID and how we go and beat it as a country."'
Donald Trump's senior campaign adviser, Jason Miller (pictured) said Sunday that the president is ready to lead the response against COVID-19 because he understands what people have gone through while battling the virus
'I think there‘s a level of understanding as someone whose gone through it himself where he can relate with people, understanding people have gone through this covid virus, this China virus, that has hit us,' Miller, who defended Trump's actions, said.
'And this is the most important thing facing this country and president Trump is ready to lead on it,' he added.
The senior campaign adviser was also asked about Trump's last-minute, surprise visit to his supporters outside the Walter Reed Medical Center on Sunday.
Trump briefly left his hospital room to thank the cheering loyalists despite being infected with the coronavirus.
The president was in an SUV and was driven by the screaming, applauding crowds. He waved to them from inside car and was wearing a face mask.
Trump posted a video to his Twitter account shortly before his visit outside, indicating he was about to make the trip.
Miller also defended Trump's last-minute, surprise visit to his supporters outside the Walter Reed Medical Center on Sunday (visit pictured)
'It's good to see him on the mend; good to send him on the rebound. And he’s really been buoyed by the show of support from people who have been outside Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda and he wanted to as a sign of gratitude show folks that he’s still fighting for them.
'He’s looking forward to getting back out on the campaign trail. And so in a very safe way he drove by and said, "Hi."'
Miller said while the president has been recovering, he has also encouraged people to 'wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, make sure that if you can't socially distance to wear a mask'.
'And I thought that was a pretty important message to send and a reminder to the rest of the country,' Miller said.
Miller was then asked if the Trump campaign would change up protocols for future rallies.
Miller was then asked if the Trump campaign would change up protocols for future rallies (Trump in Minnesota on Wednesday). Miller said the campaign will continue to check temperatures and provide masks
Before Trump contracted COVID-19, during the rallies attendees had their temperatures checked, face masks have been provided and people have been encouraged to use hand sanitizer.
'You know what, that's been a very safe and responsible thing to do,' Miller said. 'That's what we've done from the beginning of this.'
Trump tested positive for the virus just days after going head-to-head with his Democratic rival Joe Biden during the first presidential debate last week.
Several individuals who participated in Trump's debate prep, including former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, tested positive for coronavirus.
