President Trump’s campaign has initiated a plan called “Operation MAGA” to keep his re-election ambitions at “full speed.” The announcement was made on Saturday (Oct. 3) via his campaign website.
According to the press release, Vice President Mike Pence is set to make in-person campaign appearances in key states after the next debate against Joe Biden in Salt Lake City, Utah on Wednesday (Oct. 7). Donald J. Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, and Lara Trump will also be making virtual appearances at live events that will be held in battleground states until the vice presidential debate.
“Operation MAGA will fire up the entire MAGA universe to keep President Trump’s campaign at full speed until our Commander-in-Chief returns to the campaign trail,” Trump’s campaign manager Bill Stepien said in the press release. “Vice President Mike Pence, the First Family, our coalitions, and our grassroots supporters will be out in full force to show the real enthusiasm behind the President’s re-election and to show we’re working as hard as he always does. We also encourage all of the President’s supporters to pick up the banner themselves by volunteering in our grassroots Army for Trump, flying their Trump flags, putting out more yard signs, and wearing their MAGA gear proudly.”
Stepien is among the many White House constituents that have tested positive for coronavirus and will be working remotely.
Trump’s physician Dr. Sean Conley originally reported that the president tested positive for the virus on Wednesday (Sept. 3) but has since backtracked and has implied that he was diagnosed with COVID-19 well before that. Trump held a fundraiser in New Jersey on Oct. 4, potentially putting hundreds at risk.
According to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, the president has been going through a “very concerning” period.
“The president’s vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning, and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care,” he said. “We’re still not on a clear path to a full recovery.”
Trump on the other hand insists that he is “much better” in a video he released on Twitter Saturday (Oct. 3) evening that appears to be from Walter Reed Medical Center, where he’s currently hospitalized.
“I’ll be back soon,” he says in the video. “I look forward to finishing the campaign the way it started and the way we’ve been doing.”
Trump, who has downplayed the virus since it broke out at the top of the year, also says that he’s “fighting for all” and states that “we’re going to beat” coronavirus.