Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Trump says he is keeping his distance from Pence to be ‘careful’ that Pelosi does not become acting president

‘Crazy Nancy would be a total disaster,’ says president Trump

James Crump
Tuesday 12 May 2020 17:35 BST
Comments
Pence staffer tests positive for coronavirus, Trump says

President Donald Trump has claimed that he and Mike Pence need to be careful amid the coronavirus pandemic, so that House speaker Nancy Pelosi does not become acting US president.

On Friday it was revealed that Mr Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller had tested positive for the coronavirus.

The White House confirmed that both the president and the vice president tested negative, after they underwent tests over the weekend.

On Monday, Mr Trump told reporters that he had not seen Mr Pence or Ms Miller, since she received the negative result.

“I have not seen him since then,” he said, and added that they “could talk on the phone.”​

On Tuesday, Mr Trump replied to a tweet that said: “Pelosi would be third in line to serve as president if Trump, Pence become incapacitated by COVID-19,” and said that Ms Pelosi, a Democrat, would be a disaster as US president.

“Then we must be very careful. Crazy Nancy would be a total disaster, and the USA will never be a Communist Country!” he tweeted.

According to audio obtained by CNN’s Betsy Klein, Mr Pence told governors during a call on Monday that he has been taking extra precautions since Ms Miller tested positive for Covid-19.

He told the governors that he was “In a separate room on my own,” while Dr Deborah Birx, who is a part of the coronavirus task force, was “in a situation room with some staff.”

The president dismissed claims on Monday that Ms Miller tested positive for Covid-19, because coronavirus procedures were not followed properly in the White House.

“Just about everybody I’ve seen today has worn a mask,” he said, and added: “I don’t think the system broke down at all. One person tested positive, surprisingly, because the previous day, tested negative.

“It can happen. It’s the hidden enemy, remember that. It’s the hidden enemy. So, things happen.”

Last week, Mr Pence caused controversy after he was filmed not wearing a face mask on a visit to the Mayo Clinic.

The vice president told reporters after the visit that because he has tested negative for the virus, he does not need to wear a face mask.

“As Vice President of the United States I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” he said.

“And since I don’t have the coronavirus, I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible healthcare personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you,” he added.

According to a tracking project hosted by Johns Hopkins University, there are now more than 1.3 million people who have tested positive for coronavirus in the US. The death toll has reached at least 80,897.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in