Donald Trump gave an unexpected update on his health on Saturday afternoon after receiving treatment for COVID-19 at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre near Washington DC. In a four-minute video the US President admitted he was feeling unwell following his initial diagnoses but insisted his condition has now improved. Seated at a round table in front of a US flag wearing an unbuttoned white shirt and blue blazer, the 74-year-old Mr Trump acknowledged the “real test” would come in the coming days but insisted he was raring to get back onto the campaign trail.
Body language expert Judi James said the setting portrayed in the video tried to convey a message of “here is of a man still doing business and still in control”.
She said: “There are several moments when Trump’s signature hyperbole suggests he’s in superhero mode.
“He insists ‘I have to get back to make America great again’, letting the country know that ‘I have to finish that job’.
“He uses the word ‘miracles’ three times, adding that his ‘therapeutics’ are ‘coming down from God’ to raise the superhero notion.”
Despite his best efforts, the body language expert insists the US President was unable to hide the effects of coronavirus.
She told the Mirror Online: “Tellingly though, there are undeniable and very natural signs of weakness and hesitancy behind the heroic tone.
“Trump’s face is pale and looks powdery and during the address his head seems to sink very slightly towards the desk, suggesting tiredness.”
Ms James also questioned the cautious tone used by Mr Trump in the video message and claims he could be masking his true condition.
“We’re going to beat this coronavirus or whatever you want to call it. And we’re going to beat it soundly.”
Earlier this afternoon medics gave an update on Mr Trump’s condition and revealed he could return to the White House as early as Monday, where doctors would continue his five-day course of the intravenous antiviral drug Remdesivir.
Dr Brian Garibaldi said: “Today he feels well, he’s been up and around. Our plan for today is to have him eat and drink, be up out of bed as much as possible, to be mobile.
“And if he continues to look and feel as well as he does today our hope is that we can plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the White House where he can continue his treatment course.”