Trump Fumes As Meadows Contradicts Doctors' Reports
President Donald Trump is reportedly fuming that his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, had issued statements to reporters that contradicted the reports issued by his team of doctors on Saturday, October 3.
Trump is upset that Meadows gave the reporters an on-background message on his COVID-19 infection, which contradicted what Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley told reporters during a press conference at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center also on Saturday.
The comments were at first attributed to an official who is familiar with President Trump's condition.
However, it was revealed by an online video that it was Meadows who had talked to pool reporters following Dr. Conley's briefing.
Meadows was also confirmed as the official by The Associated Press and The New York Times.
While Dr. Conley and the rest of Trump's team of doctors painted a rosy picture of the president doing well and being in exceptionally high spirits, Meadows had said that Trump's vitals were very concerning over the last 24 hours. The next 48 hours will be very critical for his treatment.
Meadows had added that they are not on a clear path to a full recovery yet.
This led many to question the veracity of the update given by Trump's team of doctors, which added to the confusion on the president's real health condition.
Trump is reportedly furious because Meadows' comments had put in question the credibility of the medical briefings.
Afterward, President Trump tweeted that he was feeling well. He also posted a four-minute video that showed him sitting at a conference table while saying that he was not feeling well but that he was better now. He also signaled that he might be returning to the White House soon.
He also said that the next few days would be the real test.
Trump, however, made no mention of Meadows.
The chief of staff attempted to soothe over the situation, telling Reuters that President Trump was doing well.
During an interview with Fox News, he also acknowledged that the president's blood oxygen level had dropped rapidly but said that he had unbelievable courage and had an incredible improvement.
It was also from Meadows that it was revealed that before Trump was transferred from the White House to the military hospital, he had a fever on the morning of Friday and that his oxygen level had rapidly dropped.
In another press conference on Sunday, October 5, Dr. Conley, for his part, defended Meadows, saying his comments were just misconstrued and that they work side by side.
According to Dr. Conley, what the chief of staff referred to when he mentioned the president having a high fever and a drop-in situation was that 24 hours ago, when they were checking on the president, it prompted them to decide on the transfer.
Conley also explained why he did not answer questions about Trump being on oxygen on Saturday; he said it was because he wanted to reflect the team's upbeat attitude.
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