COVID-19

President on coronavirus: ‘I get it’

Trump briefly leaves hospital to greet supporters; may be discharged today

BETHESDA, Md. -- Two days after being hospitalized with COVID-19, President Donald Trump declared, "I get it," in a message to the nation Sunday before briefly leaving the hospital to salute supporters from a motorcade, a move that suggested the president would continue to disregard basic precautions to contain the virus that has killed more than 209,000 Americans.

Hours earlier, Trump's medical team reported that his blood oxygen level dropped suddenly twice in recent days and that they gave him a steroid typically only recommended for the very sick.

The doctors also said Trump's health is improving and that he could be discharged as early as today.

With one month until Election Day, Trump was eager to project strength despite his illness. The still-infectious president surprised supporters who had gathered outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, driving by in a black SUV with the windows rolled up. Secret Service agents inside the vehicle could be seen in masks and other protective gear.

The move capped a weekend of contradictions that fueled confusion about Trump's health, which has imperiled the leadership of the U.S. government and upended the final stages of the presidential campaign.

While Trump's physiWhile Trump's physicians offered a rosy prognosis, they reported information about drops in his blood oxygen level that was initially withheld from the public.

In a short video released by the White House, Trump insisted he understood the gravity of the moment.

"It's been a very interesting journey. I learned a lot about COVID," Trump said, standing in his hospital room in a video posted on social media. "I learned it by really going to school."

He added, "I get it, and I understand it."

But his actions moments later, by leaving the hospital and sitting inside the SUV with others, suggested otherwise.

White House spokesman Judd Deere said Trump's trip outside the hospital "was cleared by the medical team as safe to do." He added that precautions were taken, including using personal protective equipment, to protect Trump as well as White House officials and Secret Service agents.

Joe Biden's campaign, meanwhile, said the Democratic presidential nominee again tested negative for coronavirus Sunday. The results come five days after Biden spent more than 90 minutes on the debate stage with Trump. Biden, who has taken a far more cautious approach to in-person events, had two negative tests on Friday.

For his part, Trump still faces questions about his health.

His doctors sidestepped questions on Sunday about exactly when Trump's blood oxygen dropped -- an episode they neglected to mention in multiple statements the day before -- or whether lung scans showed any damage.

It was the second straight day of obfuscation from a White House already suffering from a credibility crisis. And it raised more doubts about whether the doctors treating the president were sharing accurate, timely information with the American public about the severity of his condition.

First lady Melania Trump has remained at the White House as she recovers from her own bout with the virus.