How Missouri, Kansas politicians reacted to Trump’s COVID diagnosis on social media
Kansas and Missouri politicians — on both sides of the political aisle — shared near-unanimous well wishes for President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after the two announced early Friday they had tested positive for COVID-19.
A few of those messages, however, also gently called for the President and others to take the pandemic more seriously going forward.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted hopes that the Trumps make a “full recovery,” before saying, “I also hope the president will now understand how dangerous this highly contagious virus is, particularly for the many without our nation’s best medical care.”
In a subsequent social media conversation, Lucas was asked if the announcement might help Trump supporters who don’t believe in the virus to think differently.
“One hopes,” Lucas responded.
Missouri gubernatorial candidate Nicole Galloway shared a similar tone. After sending positive vibes to the Trumps, she tweeted out, “This virus can impact anyone. Please stay vigilant.”
Galloway has attempted to make Coronavirus one of the key issues in her race, often criticizing Gov. Mike Parson for his handling of the pandemic, which did not include a mandatory mask mandate in the state.
Parson and his wife, Teresa, tested positive for COVID-19 last week and have since recovered. The governor’s office has refused to say whether other staff members have also tested positive for the virus.
Kansas Republican Senate candidate Roger Marshall — who has kept close ties to Trump — even announcing he was proactively taking the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to ward off COVID-19 — was one of the first to respond Friday morning. His tweet, telling Trump he was in the Marshall family’s prayers, was posted just 15 minutes after Trump stated his diagnosis.
Others who spoke included Marshall’s opponent Barbara Bollier, Secretary of State and former Kansas Congressman Mike Pompeo, Kansas governor Laura Kelly, Missouri Sens. Josh Hawley and Roy Blunt and Parson.
This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 10:32 AM with the headline "How Missouri, Kansas politicians reacted to Trump’s COVID diagnosis on social media."
