Trump coronavirus news: Masked President airlifted from White House lawn to begin Walter Reed hospitalisation

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Marine One takes off as Trump is transferred to Walter Reed medical center

Donald Trump gave a thumbs up and waved to well-wishers as he walked to Marine 1 to begin hospitalisation at Walter Reed Medical Centre on Friday afternoon following cold-like symptoms of a fever and cough.  

A White House spokesperson said it was a precautionary measure, while Trump's doctor said the president was taking a mix of drugs, including Regeneron's polyclonal antibody cocktail as well as aspirin, zinc, vitamin D, famotidine and melatonin.

Trump's campaign staff cancelled all in-person events for the first family, with Mike Pence to step in. Joe Biden, meanwhile, flew to Michigan to continue his campaign after testing negative, saying he sends prayers for Trump's 'health and safety'.

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Key points

• Trump being moved to hospital as precautionary measure
• Trump on mix of drugs and feeling fatigued, according to White House doctor
• White House insists Trump is 'hard at work' and next debate is still on
• Trump cancels events, goes without tweeting for 12 hours following coronavirus diagnosis
• Joe Biden and wife Jill test negative for coronavirus and return to campaign trial

[2 October 2020 23:30 · Justin Vallejo]

WATCH: Trump walking to Marine 1

[2 October 2020 23:23 · Justin Vallejo]

Masked Trump waves to well-wishers as helicopter airlifts him to Walter Reed

US President Donald Trump walks to Marine One prior to departure from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, October 2, 2020, as he heads to Walter Reed Military Medical Center, after testing positive for Covid-19. - President Donald Trump will spend the coming days in a military hospital just outside Washington to undergo treatment for the coronavirus, but will continue to work, the White House said Friday (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

[2 October 2020 23:22 · Justin Vallejo]

The president gives a thumbs up on his way from the White House

[2 October 2020 23:20 · Justin Vallejo]

Trump walks to chopper

 

[2 October 2020 23:16 · Justin Vallejo]

Biden campaign pulling negative Trump ads as president to spend weekend in hospital

Via NYT White House correspondent Jonathan Martin, according to sources familiar with the campaign. Biden will also continue campaigning.

[2 October 2020 23:08 · Justin Vallejo]

WHITE HOUSE: ‘Trump to walk to Marine 1’

[2 October 2020 23:01 · Justin Vallejo]

Arnold Schwarzenegger offers to control next Trump – Biden debate

The governator said he would help straighten out the unruly situation.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said earlier today the debate was still going forward, even as Trump is being taken to hospital for the next few days out of an abundance of caution.

The president is expected to board Marine 1 at any moment.  

[2 October 2020 22:53 · Justin Vallejo]

LIVE: Marine 1 standing by to take Trump to Walter Reed Medical Centre

He is expected to be airlifted from the White House at any moment.

[2 October 2020 22:50 · Justin Vallejo]

WATCH: White House press secretary won’t answer when Trump new of Covid exposure

[2 October 2020 22:34 · Justin Vallejo]

Pictures show ‘lethargic’ president

As Trump gets airlifted to a military hospital out of an “abundance of caution”, Louise Hall looks back at a lethargic president at the White House on Thursday in the last photos taken before his coronavirus announcement.