US Presidential Debate: Despite COVID-19, Trump to Debate Biden

By Mary Anne R. Oct 06 2020, 00:49 AM EDT

Trump, Biden presidential debate. — Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to participate in next week's presidential election with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden despite contracting COVID-19.

This, according to Trump 2020 Communications Director Tim Murtaugh.

Murtaugh said the president plans to debate.

Murtaugh's comment came less than an hour after the president left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Trump had been receiving treatment for COVID-19 at the medical center since Friday.

He then returned to the White House.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said intentions of traveling to Florida for the next debate.

Symone Sanders, a senior campaign adviser to Biden, said that the Democratic presidential hopeful is looking forward to Oct. 15.

Sanders added that Biden is hoping Trump will be well enough to attend.

"It's a town hall and, as you know, Vice President Biden loves a good town hall," Sanders was quoted in a report.

Sanders added that they are hoping Trump can participate.

"We're hoping that he's medically able to participate, and that is up to his doctors to clear him. But Joe Biden will be at that debate," Sanders was quoted in a report.

Reports said that the next presidential debate's future was thrown in jeopardy after Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announced they contracted COVID-19.

Several members of the White House inner circle and his reelection campaign have dwindled due to contagion.

Biden had a presidential debate with Trump last week in Cleveland, Ohio.

He tested negative for the virus.

Sanders said that Biden will receive another COVID-19 test on Sunday and will continue to do so regularly.

Trump and Biden are part of an age group that is highly susceptible to severe complications from COVID-19.

Trump is 74-years-old, while Biden is 77.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight out of 10 COVID-19 deaths in the United States have been in adults 65 years-old and older.

Meanwhile, Trump removed his mask upon returning to the White House on Monday as he posed for photos from the balcony.

This, despite being infected with COVOD-19.

Trump posed for photos and appeared to be taking part in a video shoot after returning to the executive mansion.

He spent three days undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

An official photographer and other staffers were proximity to the president.

He did not put his mask back on as he returned to walk back into the White House.

White House physician Sean Conley told reporters that Trump was healthy enough to leave the hospital.

He mentioned his vitals and clinical evaluations.

Conley acknowledged the president is at risk for severe complications and not out of the woods yet.

Aside from his age, the president is also overweight, according to a report.

"If we can get through to Monday with him remaining the same or improving better yet, then we will all take that final deep sigh of relief," Conley was quoted.