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Trump scared journalists will deliberately infect him with coronavirus: Report

Tuesday, 10 March 2020 4:02 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 10 March 2020 6:30 PM ]

US President Donald Trump prepares to give a press briefing about the coronavirus alongside members of the Coronavirus Task Force at the White House on March 9, 2020. (AFP photo)

US President Donald Trump has reportedly been “melting down” over fears that journalists might try to deliberately get him infected with the coronavirus.

Despite his efforts to downplay concerns about a coronavirus outbreak in the US, Trump is said to be privately terrified about getting the virus himself, according to sources who spoke to Vanity Fair.

One source told the magazine Trump has told aides that he is afraid journalists might try to contract coronavirus so they can infect him on Air Force One, the Boeing 747 aircraft modified and used to transport US presidents.

“He’s definitely melting down over this,” the source, who is said to be close to the administration, said.

"Trump told aides he’s afraid journalists will try to purposefully contract #coronavirus to give it to him on Air Force 1 ..source also said Trump has asked the Secret Service to set up a screening program & bar anyone who has a cough from the WH grounds" https://t.co/0zbJtdE5yO
— Rozita Riazati (@RozitaRiazati) March 9, 2020

Trump has also reportedly barred anyone with a cough to enter the White House.

“Donald is a famous germaphobe. He hates it if someone is eating nachos and dips a chip back in after taking a bite. He calls them ‘double dippers,’” a prominent Republican told the magazine.

Trump under pressure as recession fears mount over coronavirus

US president Donald Trump’s administration is under pressure amid coronavirus-driven recession fears as stock markets rattled and health officials issued more warnings.

The virus, which can cause a sometimes fatal flu-like respiratory illness, has steadily spread in the United States this week, disrupting life and spooking investors who worry that a contraction in economic activity could trigger a recession.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Monday that Trump has not been tested for Covid-19 yet, despite coming into close contact with several Republican lawmakers who have self-quarantined over the virus.

Revelations that the contagion was only one step removed from the US president himself underscores how the virus could put any American at risk.

There have been 26 coronavirus-related deaths in the US as of Tuesday morning, with 755 confirmed cases, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. cases.

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