1 Trump, First Lady Test Positive For Coronavirus
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus. Trump announced the news overnight, a few hours after top aide Hope Hicks tested positive herself for the respiratory illness. Trump has held several public events in the past few days, including rallies. Of course, he also debated rival Joe Biden this week. No word on plans for him, or moderator Chris Wallace to be tested. “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19,” Trump tweeted. “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!” As for how they’re doing, the First Lady says she and President Trump are "feeling good" in the wake of their diagnoses. The two are in quarantine and both have cleared their schedules as they deal with the respiratory illness. The First Lady encouraged everyone to stay safe, adding "we will all get through this together."
2 Trump Balks At Debate Rules Change, Finally Condemns White Supremacists
President Trump is questioning the need for new rules for his two upcoming debates. The President kiboshed the idea in a tweet, asking why he would approve the rules when he "easily won last time." That echoed a tweet from earlier in the day when Trump said "I won the debate big." Of course, Trump's debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden this week was marred by interruptions and moderator Chris Wallace struggling to maintain control. The Commission on Presidential debates saying it was clear changes needed to be made – perhaps to include shutting off a candidate's microphone if they don't follow the debate format. Speaking of the debate, you’ll recall the moment where the President was challenged to condemn white supremacists. He opted not at the time, but apparently, he’s decided he needs to be clear. While noting that he has done so a number of times, Trump was direct during an interview on Fox News, the President specifically condemned the KKK and the Proud Boys – and added that Mr. Biden "should condemn antifa" and accused the media of not calling on the Democratic nominee to do so.
3 House Dems Pass COVID Stimulus Package
The House is passing a massive coronavirus stimulus package. The two-point-two-trillion-dollar measure passed mostly on party lines with a vote of 214 to 207. House Democrats went forward with the bill despite failing to come to a bipartisan agreement with the Trump administration. The measure is unlikely to make it through the Republican-led Senate, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’s hopeful as she continues talking with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Apparently, one major sticking point involves aid to state and local governments. As for the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he’d like to see a deal, too “I’d like to see another rescue package,” McConnell notes. “We’ve been trying for months to get there. I wish them well.”