President Donald Trump is surprising his supporters with a visit outside of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on Sunday.
Trump made the announcement in a video posted by White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
“We’re getting great reports from the doctors. This is an incredible hospital, Walter Reed. The work they do is just absolutely amazing and I want to thank them all, the nurses, the doctors, everybody here. I’ve also gotten to meet some of the soldiers and the first responders, what a group,” Trump said.
He added, “I also think we’re gonna pay a little surprise to some of the great patriots that we have out on the street and they’ve been out there for a long time and they’ve got Trump flags and they love our country, so I’m not telling anybody but you. But, I’m about to make a little surprise visit.”
Watch his comments below:
President @realDonaldTrump announced a surprise visit to his supporters outside of Walter Reed! pic.twitter.com/zeXK35B309
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) October 4, 2020
Trump emphasized, “We have more enthusiasm than maybe anybody.”
He detailed his experience at Walter Reed and how he has learned a lot from his stay.
“It’s been a very interesting journey. I learned a lot about COVID. I learned it by really going to school. This is the real school. This isn’t the ‘let’s read the book’ school,” Trump said.
He continued, “And I get it, and I understand it, and it’s a very interesting thing and I’m going to be letting you know about it. In the meantime, we love the USA and we love what’s happening.”
Trump waved to supporters gathered outside from his motorcade.
BREAKING: President @realDonaldTrump greets supporters outside of Walter Reed:
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 4, 2020
pic.twitter.com/2BSt2Xz2te
Dr. James P. Phillips, an attending physician at Walter Reed, criticized Trump for leaving the hospital.
“That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of COVID19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play,” Phillips said.
https://twitter.com/DrPhillipsMD/status/1312869454385229827
He went on, “Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential ‘drive-by’ just now has to be quarantined for 14 days. They might get sick. They may die. For political theater. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity.”
https://twitter.com/DrPhillipsMD/status/1312867868028141568
Trump’s condition has continued to improve, according to White House physician Sean Conley, as IJR previously reported.
