Barron Trump previously tested positive for coronavirus, first lady reveals

First lady Melania Trump revealed Wednesday that her only son with President Trump, Barron Trump, tested positive for the novel coronavirus after the first couple was diagnosed but said he experienced no symptoms and has since tested negative.

The first lady said she has also tested negative since her diagnosis and hopes to resume her duties as soon as possible, according to a statement posted to the White House website.

Melania Trump offered a firsthand account of her experience with COVID-19. She and President Trump were diagnosed with the highly contagious infectious disease nearly two weeks ago.

“Naturally my mind went immediately to our son. To our great relief he tested negative, but again, as so many parents have thought over the past several months, I couldn’t help but think ‘what about tomorrow or the next day?’ My fear came true when he was tested again and it came up positive,” the first lady said. 

“Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms. In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together. He has since tested negative,” she continued.

Speaking to reporters later Wednesday, President Trump said that Barron Trump is doing “fine” before departing for a campaign rally in Iowa. Barron Trump is the latest member of the president’s inner circle known to have tested positive for the virus. 

Melania Trump said that she experienced “minimal symptoms” but still described her experience as volatile. She said she had body aches, a cough, headaches and fatigue and that she pursued a “natural” medicine regimen by taking vitamins and eating healthy food.

She said she spent her time in recovery reflecting on her family as well as the many Americans who have been impacted by the coronavirus, which has killed more than 215,000 people in the United States and devastated the U.S. economy. The first lady said she hoped that the country would “overcome” the coronavirus like it has other obstacles and encouraged Americans to live a healthy and balanced life.  

“I am happy to report that I have tested negative and hope to resume my duties as soon as I can. Along with this good news, I want people to know that I understand just how fortunate my family is to have received the kind of care that we did,” she said. “If you are sick, or if you have a loved one who is sick—I am thinking of you and will be thinking of you every day.”

The president and first lady were diagnosed late on Oct. 1, according to the White House. 

Melania Trump experienced more mild symptoms than her husband, who was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for 72 hours of treatment. 

President Trump has since returned to the campaign trail this week, after being cleared by the White House physician to resume public events.