Dominic West causes stir after saying he ‘leapt with joy’ over Trump coronavirus diagnosis

British actor said ‘there was an element of schadenfreude’ in his response to Trump’s diagnosis

Dominic West has provoked intense reactions after revealing he “leapt in the air with joy” over Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis.

While appearing on Good Morning Britain, the British actor was asked about his “instinctive reaction” to the news that Trump had contracted the illness, along with his wife Melania.

“Well, I did slightly leap in the air with joy,” West said. “I think the phrase is ‘what goes around comes around’.”

“I just hope it doesn’t interfere with him being elected out of office, that’s all,” West added.

Presenter Kate Garraway asked whether West believed in karma, and whether his response was linked to Trump’s repeated downplaying of the severity of Covid-19.

“There’s an element of schadenfreude, I suppose,” West replied. “I’m not a fan of his, as you can probably tell, and I just hope Biden stays healthy and gets the presidency as quickly as possible.”

Some Good Morning Britain viewers were quick to condemn West’s statements.

“I’m disappointed in Dominic West,” one person tweeted. “Despite what you think of him as a politician, to jump for joy because someone has a virus that could potentially kill him is disgusting!”

Another claimed that West behaved “wretched and heartless” in his response to Trump’s condition.

Others also suggested it was inappropriate considering how Covid-19 has affected Garraway’s husband Derek Draper, who has been in hospital since March after experiencing particularly bad side effects of the illness.

“@kategarraway how did you accept this and smile given your husband’s Covid history?” a viewer wrote.

Dominic West tells Adil Ray and Kate Garraway of his Trump opinions on 'GMB' (ITV)

Despite some backlash, others praised West for his views.

“Hahahahahahaha love Dominic West,” wrote one person. Another added: “Brilliant Dominic West doesn’t give a toss.”

“I applaud Dominic West’s honesty,” wrote another. “He just said what many were and are thinking.”

“The right wing are outraged over Dominic West,” another person wrote. “No, you should be outraged at the fact Trump is a fascist. He has not taken coronavirus seriously and the US death toll is dreadful. That’s where the outrage is.”