Trump sends his best wishes to Johnson: ‘Americans are all praying for his recovery’

President Trump on Monday praised Boris Johnson as “strong” and “resolute,” offering his best wishes to the British prime minister after he entered intensive care for the coronavirus.

“Americans are all praying for his recovery. He’s been a really good friend. He’s been really something very special — strong, resolute, doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up,” Trump said at the outset of a White House briefing on the virus.

Trump said he spoke with drug companies and asked them to get in touch with London to discuss potential treatments, suggesting he was hoping they could find ways to assist with Johnson’s case.

“We’ve contacted all of Boris’s doctors, and we’ll see what is going to take place,” Trump said. “But they are ready to go. But when you get brought into intensive care, it gets very serious with this particular disease.”

Johnson, 55, was admitted to the hospital Sunday on his doctor’s advice after he experienced symptoms for more than 10 days following confirmation that he had tested positive for the coronavirus on April 27. 

The prime minister’s condition reportedly worsened over the course of the afternoon, and he was moved to an intensive care unit as a precaution in case he requires a ventilator.

“Intensive care is big stuff,” Trump added later.

A Johnson spokesperson said he remains conscious.

“Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the Prime Minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital,” a spokesperson said, adding that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has been deputized to assume his duties in the meantime.

Johnson, who has been one of Trump’s strongest allies on the world stage, initially took a laid-back approach in addressing the coronavirus in the United Kingdom. He said last month that he shook hands with coronavirus patients at a hospital and downplayed the need for drastic measures. The United Kingdom has since shuttered nonessential businesses.