cnbc--2020-10-05--Trump campaign shifts fundraising gears with the president sidelined due to Covid-19

U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force as he departs Washington on campaign travel to participate in the first presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Cleveland , Ohio at Joint Base Andrews , Maryland , September 29 , 2020 .
With under 30 days to go until Election Day , President Donald Trump 's campaign is reshuffling its fundraising efforts while he remains in the hospital after being diagnosed with the coronavirus .
Trump 's campaign manager , Bill Stepien , who also tested positive for Covid-19 , previously announced all of the events featuring the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a virtual setting .
Since then , campaign aides have been scrambling to organize virtual and in-person gatherings for donors that paid , in some cases , six-figure checks to privately meet and take a picture with Trump himself , according to people familiar with the matter .
These people declined to be named as the changes were still being made .
As the president receives treatment at Walter Reed hospital , donors have been encouraged to keep giving and to attend what will likely be virtual events .
They are sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the president at a later date , some of the people noted .
Those familiar with the campaign 's fundraising efforts say that they have been seeing a surge in contributions , both before Trump was admitted to the hospital and afterward .
One of the people explained that on Tuesday , the day of the debate , the campaign raised $ 16 million , although that total does not include the amount raised during the course of the fiery clash between Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
The Biden campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate .
Another person , who raises money for Trump in the tri-state area of New York , New Jersey and Connecticut , said that despite the president being sidelined , donors are still flooding the campaign with cash .
`` I 've been dealing with a lot of incoming from donors eager to show their monetary support , '' this person noted .
The campaign has been pushing out fundraising texts and emails to supporters , including one sent out late Sunday which features a video of Trump in his hospital room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he will come out of this stronger than before and even more fired up to win , '' the email reads .
`` Can we count on you to help secure another victory for President Trump ? ''
The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee did n't immediately return requests for comment .
Trump and the RNC went into September with less cash on hand than Biden and the Democratic National Committee .
The overall 2020 election is expected to cost $ 10.8 billion .
Since early September , a study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's campaign has outspent Trump 's both on TV and digital ads .
Biden is ahead of Trump nationally by 14 points , according to an NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll .
It 's still unclear how much both teams raised last month as disclosure reports are set to be released in the coming weeks .
Before announcing early Friday that he had the virus , Trump was planning a West Coast fundraising swing , including in Orange County , California , a wealthy region of the state , the people noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to still have the Orange County event , only it 's likely to feature surrogates such as South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem and other campaign supporters , they said .
Trump went to a fundraising event in Bedminster , New Jersey , last week , even after the White House learned that his longtime advisor Hope Hicks had contracted the virus .
After donors found out that that Trump was sick , many panicked and started reaching out to campaign officials for guidance .
At least 200 donors attended the event , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Last week , after Trump was admitted to the hospital , the campaign said it would host virtual events until the vice presidential debate on Wednesday , when the in-person events will resume .
Vice President Mike Pence is due to lead a rally Thursday in Arizona .
Mark Meadows , the president 's chief of staff , said the medical team will be deciding later on Monday whether he 's discharged .
Trump 's press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , announced on Monday that she , too , has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the coronavirus , Trump himself has previously conducted very few virtual fundraising events , and has relied on his allies to be special guests as a draw for donors instead , including his economic advisor Larry Kudlow .
His eldest son , Donald Trump Jr. , has also been a key guest for donors in the past .

U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force as he departs Washington on campaign travel to participate in the first presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Cleveland, Ohio at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, September 29, 2020.
With under 30 days to go until Election Day, President Donald Trump's campaign is reshuffling its fundraising efforts while he remains in the hospital after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.
Trump's campaign manager, Bill Stepien, who also tested positive for Covid-19, previously announced all of the events featuring the president himself have been either postponed or moved to a virtual setting.
Since then, campaign aides have been scrambling to organize virtual and in-person gatherings for donors that paid, in some cases, six-figure checks to privately meet and take a picture with Trump himself, according to people familiar with the matter. These people declined to be named as the changes were still being made.
As the president receives treatment at Walter Reed hospital, donors have been encouraged to keep giving and to attend what will likely be virtual events. They are sometimes reassured that they will get a photo with the president at a later date, some of the people noted.
Those familiar with the campaign's fundraising efforts say that they have been seeing a surge in contributions, both before Trump was admitted to the hospital and afterward. One of the people explained that on Tuesday, the day of the debate, the campaign raised $16 million, although that total does not include the amount raised during the course of the fiery clash between Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. The Biden campaign raised nearly $10 million during the debate.
Another person, who raises money for Trump in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, said that despite the president being sidelined, donors are still flooding the campaign with cash.
"I've been dealing with a lot of incoming from donors eager to show their monetary support," this person noted. The campaign has been pushing out fundraising texts and emails to supporters, including one sent out late Sunday which features a video of Trump in his hospital room.
"President Trump is a fighter and he will come out of this stronger than before and even more fired up to win," the email reads. "Can we count on you to help secure another victory for President Trump?"
The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee didn't immediately return requests for comment.
Trump and the RNC went into September with less cash on hand than Biden and the Democratic National Committee.
The overall 2020 election is expected to cost $10.8 billion. Since early September, a study by the Wesleyan Media Project shows Biden's campaign has outspent Trump's both on TV and digital ads. Biden is ahead of Trump nationally by 14 points, according to an NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll.
It's still unclear how much both teams raised last month as disclosure reports are set to be released in the coming weeks.
Before announcing early Friday that he had the virus, Trump was planning a West Coast fundraising swing, including in Orange County, California, a wealthy region of the state, the people noted. Now, the tentative plan is to still have the Orange County event, only it's likely to feature surrogates such as South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and other campaign supporters, they said.
Trump went to a fundraising event in Bedminster, New Jersey, last week, even after the White House learned that his longtime advisor Hope Hicks had contracted the virus. After donors found out that that Trump was sick, many panicked and started reaching out to campaign officials for guidance. At least 200 donors attended the event, with some coming from the across the country.
Last week, after Trump was admitted to the hospital, the campaign said it would host virtual events until the vice presidential debate on Wednesday, when the in-person events will resume. Vice President Mike Pence is due to lead a rally Thursday in Arizona.
Mark Meadows, the president's chief of staff, said the medical team will be deciding later on Monday whether he's discharged. Trump's press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, announced on Monday that she, too, has the coronavirus.
Even before he was diagnosed with the coronavirus, Trump himself has previously conducted very few virtual fundraising events, and has relied on his allies to be special guests as a draw for donors instead, including his economic advisor Larry Kudlow. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., has also been a key guest for donors in the past.


cnbc--2020-10-05--Trump and medical team will decide later Monday whether he's discharged, chief of staff says

`` The discharge decision will be made later today between the president and his medical team , '' White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told NBC .
Trump 's possible departure could send a signal that his health is improving following his diagnosis .
But the move is bound to breed skepticism among those who have criticized administration officials for a lack of transparency on the president 's condition , particularly in light of the numerous treatments he is known to have taken .
President Donald Trump and the team of doctors treating him for the coronavirus will decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reed National Military Medical Center , NBC News reported .
Trump , 74 , had entered the hospital just three days earlier on Friday evening , the same day he revealed that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for Covid-19 .
The president has been mostly sequestered in Walter Reed 's presidential wing since departing the White House but has spoken out in tweets and in a handful of videos posted to his social media .
On Sunday , Trump also made a surprise drive-by appearance outside the hospital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an SUV to his supporters who had gathered there .
Health experts and other critics , who have pointed to the president 's current condition as a sobering example of the unserious approach he has taken to fighting the pandemic overall , promptly condemned the move .
Meadows , speaking on Fox News earlier Monday , said that a final determination `` has not been made yet '' on whether to bring Trump back to the White House .
`` Obviously he continues to improve overnight and his health continues to improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluation some time late morning and then the president in consultation with the doctors will make a decision on whether to discharge him later today , '' Meadows said .
`` We are still optimistic that based on his unbelievable progress and — and how strong he has been in terms of his fight against this Covid-19 disease , that he will be released , but that decision wo n't be made until later today , '' the chief of staff said .
If he did return from Walter Reed on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would likely be isolated within the White House .
The White House campus includes an advanced medical unit .
On Sunday , Trump 's doctors said they had begun treating him with the steroid dexamethasone .
His physician , Dr. Sean Conley , had already revealed that the president has taken the experimental antiviral therapy remdesivir , along with zinc , vitamin D , melatonin , a daily aspirin and the histamine blocker famotidine .
Trump has also taken an experimental antibody cocktail from pharmaceutical giant Regeneron , Conley said .
The decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a higher degree of severity than what we knew on Friday and Saturday , '' infectious diseases physician Dr. Nahid Bhadelia told CNBC on Sunday .
The president 's doctors , in a press briefing outside Walter Reed on Saturday , had offered a rosy prognosis , saying his symptoms are improving .
But a White House official quickly undermined that narrative , telling reporters minutes after the presser that `` the president 's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning , and the next 48 hours will be critical in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later identified the person as Meadows .
The president tested positive for the virus less than five weeks out from the presidential election against Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
The coronavirus , which had already played a central role in the 2020 campaign , has become virtually the sole defining issue of the race following Trump 's hospitalization .
Trump has aggressively defended his administration 's job battling the pandemic , from which more deaths have been reported in the U.S. than in any other country .
At least 209,734 people in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 7.41 million cases have been counted , according to Johns Hopkins University .
In their virulent first debate last week , Trump told Biden that millions more Americans would have died from Covid-19 if the former vice president had been in power .
Viewers of the debate overall said that Biden outmatched Trump , whose performance was marked by frequent interruptions , according to polls taken after the Tuesday night showdown .
Biden , who already held a steady lead over Trump heading into the contest , emerged with an even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal poll released Sunday , for instance , found Biden leading by 14 percentage points over the incumbent .
That 's a marked rise from the pollster 's previous survey last month , which had Biden leading Trump by 8 points .
As of Monday morning , the two candidates remain slated to participate in two more debates , the first of which is set for Oct. 15 .
But it 's far from clear whether the debates will proceed as scheduled .

"The discharge decision will be made later today between the president and his medical team," White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told NBC.
Trump's possible departure could send a signal that his health is improving following his diagnosis. But the move is bound to breed skepticism among those who have criticized administration officials for a lack of transparency on the president's condition, particularly in light of the numerous treatments he is known to have taken.
President Donald Trump and the team of doctors treating him for the coronavirus will decide Monday whether to discharge him from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, NBC News reported.
Trump, 74, had entered the hospital just three days earlier on Friday evening, the same day he revealed that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for Covid-19.
The president has been mostly sequestered in Walter Reed's presidential wing since departing the White House but has spoken out in tweets and in a handful of videos posted to his social media.
On Sunday, Trump also made a surprise drive-by appearance outside the hospital, where he waved from the backseat window of an SUV to his supporters who had gathered there.
Health experts and other critics, who have pointed to the president's current condition as a sobering example of the unserious approach he has taken to fighting the pandemic overall, promptly condemned the move.
Meadows, speaking on Fox News earlier Monday, said that a final determination "has not been made yet" on whether to bring Trump back to the White House.
"Obviously he continues to improve overnight and his health continues to improve. The doctors will actually have an evaluation some time late morning and then the president in consultation with the doctors will make a decision on whether to discharge him later today," Meadows said.
"We are still optimistic that based on his unbelievable progress and — and how strong he has been in terms of his fight against this Covid-19 disease, that he will be released, but that decision won't be made until later today," the chief of staff said.
If he did return from Walter Reed on Monday, the president might still be infectious and would likely be isolated within the White House. The White House campus includes an advanced medical unit.
On Sunday, Trump's doctors said they had begun treating him with the steroid dexamethasone. His physician, Dr. Sean Conley, had already revealed that the president has taken the experimental antiviral therapy remdesivir, along with zinc, vitamin D, melatonin, a daily aspirin and the histamine blocker famotidine. Trump has also taken an experimental antibody cocktail from pharmaceutical giant Regeneron, Conley said.
The decision to treat Trump with dexamethasone "implies a higher degree of severity than what we knew on Friday and Saturday," infectious diseases physician Dr. Nahid Bhadelia told CNBC on Sunday.
The president's doctors, in a press briefing outside Walter Reed on Saturday, had offered a rosy prognosis, saying his symptoms are improving. But a White House official quickly undermined that narrative, telling reporters minutes after the presser that "the president's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning, and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care."
Outlets later identified the person as Meadows.
The president tested positive for the virus less than five weeks out from the presidential election against Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
The coronavirus, which had already played a central role in the 2020 campaign, has become virtually the sole defining issue of the race following Trump's hospitalization.
Trump has aggressively defended his administration's job battling the pandemic, from which more deaths have been reported in the U.S. than in any other country. At least 209,734 people in the U.S. have died from Covid-19, and more than 7.41 million cases have been counted, according to Johns Hopkins University.
In their virulent first debate last week, Trump told Biden that millions more Americans would have died from Covid-19 if the former vice president had been in power.
Viewers of the debate overall said that Biden outmatched Trump, whose performance was marked by frequent interruptions, according to polls taken after the Tuesday night showdown.
Biden, who already held a steady lead over Trump heading into the contest, emerged with an even wider gap: An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Sunday, for instance, found Biden leading by 14 percentage points over the incumbent. That's a marked rise from the pollster's previous survey last month, which had Biden leading Trump by 8 points.
As of Monday morning, the two candidates remain slated to participate in two more debates, the first of which is set for Oct. 15. But it's far from clear whether the debates will proceed as scheduled.


cnbc--2020-10-05--'Raging epidemic is not inevitable' — Dr. Scott Gottlieb believes China case count and rips U.S. res

'Raging epidemic is not inevitable' — Dr. Scott Gottlieb believes China case count and rips U.S. response

Dr. Scott Gottlieb on Monday lamented the persistent spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. , suggesting the nation 's response pales in comparison to other places around the world .
`` The entire Pacific Rim has less than 1,000 infections a day .
Having a raging epidemic is not inevitable , '' Gottlieb said on CNBC 's `` Squawk Box , '' referring to countries such as China , Thailand , Vietnam , Japan , South Korea and Australia .
`` People want to say China is lying about the two dozen cases that they 're reporting a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are [ lying ] .
Certainly , the entire Pacific Rim is n't in on the conspiracy .
It is n't inevitable that we have a raging epidemic , '' added the former Food and Drug Administration commissioner under President Donald Trump .
Gottlieb 's comments come as some states and cities in the U.S. , particularly those in the Midwest and some neighborhoods in New York City , are experiencing growing outbreaks of Covid-19 , and while Trump is hospitalized with the disease .
The European continent also began to see increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its suburbs being put on `` maximum alert '' Monday .
`` This seems to be something in Western democracies where things like masks have become part of a political debate over individual liberty and we just ca n't bring ourselves to wear them , '' Gottlieb said .
`` People talk about the importance of opening schools , and then they argue against masks . ''
Gottlieb emphasized that there are ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus without implementing widespread lockdowns .
He has previously defended the initial stay-at-home measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country did not have enough testing to know where the virus was spreading .
However , he said that now , in this stage of the outbreak , those should be used only on a targeted basis in cities with dense epidemics , provided the country can abide by other known strategies to minimize coronavirus spread .
`` Nothing is going to be zero risk .
But if we do it on a large scale , there are ways to allow important activities to continue , '' Gottlieb said .
`` But if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do n't want to wear masks , we do n't want to close the bars , and we do n't want to have this thing spread , ' that 's not going to add up .
We 're going to have to make some sacrifices . ''
Gottlieb and numerous public health experts have warned that the U.S. could experience a significant rise of coronavirus cases in the fall and winter , as colder weather brings more people indoors .
It appears that a resurgence is underway , Gottlieb said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we 're going to get to the other side of it .
The question is , how much death and suffering we endure along the way , as well as economic hardship too ? ''
Gottlieb said .
Some people have raised concerns about whether coronavirus restrictions represent civil liberty violations .
Last month , for example , a federal judge struck down some policies implemented by Pennsylvania 's Gov .
Tom Wolf , including a ban on large gatherings .
The restrictions have been allowed to remain while the Democratic Wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on the suggestion that public health restrictions were unenforceable in the United States .
`` It 's not a question of just enforcing them .
It 's a question of whether or not as a population , we want to take some simple , collective action to preserve the things that are important to us . ''

Dr. Scott Gottlieb on Monday lamented the persistent spread of the coronavirus in the U.S., suggesting the nation's response pales in comparison to other places around the world.
"The entire Pacific Rim has less than 1,000 infections a day. Having a raging epidemic is not inevitable," Gottlieb said on CNBC's "Squawk Box," referring to countries such as China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and Australia.
"People want to say China is lying about the two dozen cases that they're reporting a day, which I don't believe they are [lying]. Certainly, the entire Pacific Rim isn't in on the conspiracy. It isn't inevitable that we have a raging epidemic," added the former Food and Drug Administration commissioner under President Donald Trump.
Gottlieb's comments come as some states and cities in the U.S., particularly those in the Midwest and some neighborhoods in New York City, are experiencing growing outbreaks of Covid-19, and while Trump is hospitalized with the disease. The European continent also began to see increasing cases last month, with Paris and its suburbs being put on "maximum alert" Monday.
"This seems to be something in Western democracies where things like masks have become part of a political debate over individual liberty and we just can't bring ourselves to wear them," Gottlieb said. "People talk about the importance of opening schools, and then they argue against masks."
Gottlieb emphasized that there are ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus without implementing widespread lockdowns. He has previously defended the initial stay-at-home measures from states in March, saying the country did not have enough testing to know where the virus was spreading.
However, he said that now, in this stage of the outbreak, those should be used only on a targeted basis in cities with dense epidemics, provided the country can abide by other known strategies to minimize coronavirus spread.
"Nothing is going to be zero risk. But if we do it on a large scale, there are ways to allow important activities to continue," Gottlieb said. "But if we're going to say, 'Look we don't want to wear masks, we don't want to close the bars, and we don't want to have this thing spread,' that's not going to add up. We're going to have to make some sacrifices."
Gottlieb and numerous public health experts have warned that the U.S. could experience a significant rise of coronavirus cases in the fall and winter, as colder weather brings more people indoors. It appears that a resurgence is underway, Gottlieb said.
"We're going to get through this and we're going to get to the other side of it. The question is, how much death and suffering we endure along the way, as well as economic hardship too?" Gottlieb said.
Some people have raised concerns about whether coronavirus restrictions represent civil liberty violations. Last month, for example, a federal judge struck down some policies implemented by Pennsylvania's Gov. Tom Wolf, including a ban on large gatherings. The restrictions have been allowed to remain while the Democratic Wolf administration appeals the ruling.
Gottlieb pushed back on the suggestion that public health restrictions were unenforceable in the United States. "It's not a question of just enforcing them. It's a question of whether or not as a population, we want to take some simple, collective action to preserve the things that are important to us."


cnbc--2020-10-06--Trump's 'illogical' move to end stimulus talks baffles Wall Street and Washington

President Donald Trump 's decision on Tuesday to end negotiations over additional Covid-19 stimulus left many on Wall Street and in Washington baffled .
Why , they wondered , would the White House would make such an abrupt move away from an economic boost in the home stretch of his reelection campaign ?
Observers saw the president 's tweet as a self-inflicted wound .
One senior Wall Street banker called Trump 's move to torpedo talks `` illogical , '' especially just weeks until Election Day .
`` Why would you concede to this and lose ? ''
said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's not like Donald Trump gives a s -- - about the deficit , and he would n't be against putting his name on the checks , '' this person added .
More stimulus has support from a litany of unusual bedfellows : The Federal Reserve , Wall Street , Democrats in both houses of Congress , some Republicans and the American public .
Economists and investors pointed out that the U.S. economy , by many metrics , remains fragile following a recession earlier this year .
Some lawmakers pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until after the election to reach an agreement on the next Covid-19 relief package is a huge mistake , '' said GOP Sen. Susan Collins , who faces a tough reelection battle in Maine .
`` I have already been in touch with the Secretary of the Treasury , one of the chief negotiators , and with several of my Senate colleagues . ''
Trump 's Democratic challenger in the 2020 election , former Vice President Joe Biden , said the decision to suspend talks shows the president 's does n't care about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of the coronavirus .
`` He ended talks that would get help for our businesses and schools , for families struggling and for those unemployed — that would have preserved hundreds of thousands of jobs , '' Biden said in a statement .
`` Make no mistake : if you are out of work , if your business is closed , if your child 's school is shut down , if you are seeing layoffs in your community , Donald Trump decided today that none of that — none of it — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The uproar began with a series of tweets at 2:48 p.m .
ET , when the president announced that he 'd directed his negotiators to abandon talks with Democrats until after the election .
`` I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when , immediately after I win , we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business , '' Trump tweeted on Tuesday .
The president added in subsequent tweets that he asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Supreme Court , Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
Markets quickly sold off on the president 's announcement , with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing all its gains and ending the session down 375 points .
The S & P 500 also reversed course and dropped 1.4 % on the day .
Millions of Americans remain unemployed or furloughed as a direct result of the virus .
The pace of job gains is slowing .
A growing number of brokerages and economists are cutting their projections for fourth-quarter economic activity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , released on Friday , showed the U.S. added 661,000 positions last month , fewer than the 800,000 expected .
The unemployment rate inched lower to 7.9 % , its highest level since 2013 excluding worse readings from earlier in the Covid-19 crisis .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who had been leading Democrats in negotiations with the White House , spoke with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin later Tuesday afternoon and confirmed that the president had walked away from the talks .
The chamber passed a $ 2.2 trillion stimulus bill last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 per week in extra jobless benefits through January , send another $ 1,200 direct payment to most Americans , direct $ 436 billion in aid to states and municipalities , and authorize a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans .

watch now
President Donald Trump's decision on Tuesday to end negotiations over additional Covid-19 stimulus left many on Wall Street and in Washington baffled. Why, they wondered, would the White House would make such an abrupt move away from an economic boost in the home stretch of his reelection campaign? Observers saw the president's tweet as a self-inflicted wound. One senior Wall Street banker called Trump's move to torpedo talks "illogical," especially just weeks until Election Day. "Why would you concede to this and lose?" said the banker, who declined to be named. "It's not like Donald Trump gives a s--- about the deficit, and he wouldn't be against putting his name on the checks," this person added. More stimulus has support from a litany of unusual bedfellows: The Federal Reserve, Wall Street, Democrats in both houses of Congress, some Republicans and the American public.
watch now
Economists and investors pointed out that the U.S. economy, by many metrics, remains fragile following a recession earlier this year. Some lawmakers pushed for talks to resume. "Waiting until after the election to reach an agreement on the next Covid-19 relief package is a huge mistake," said GOP Sen. Susan Collins, who faces a tough reelection battle in Maine. "I have already been in touch with the Secretary of the Treasury, one of the chief negotiators, and with several of my Senate colleagues." Trump's Democratic challenger in the 2020 election, former Vice President Joe Biden, said the decision to suspend talks shows the president's doesn't care about the plight of those struggling as a result of the coronavirus. "He ended talks that would get help for our businesses and schools, for families struggling and for those unemployed — that would have preserved hundreds of thousands of jobs," Biden said in a statement. "Make no mistake: if you are out of work, if your business is closed, if your child's school is shut down, if you are seeing layoffs in your community, Donald Trump decided today that none of that — none of it — matters to him," he added. The White House declined to comment. The uproar began with a series of tweets at 2:48 p.m. ET, when the president announced that he'd directed his negotiators to abandon talks with Democrats until after the election. "I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business," Trump tweeted on Tuesday. The president added in subsequent tweets that he asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to instead focus on efforts to approve his nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Markets quickly sold off on the president's announcement, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing all its gains and ending the session down 375 points. The S&P 500 also reversed course and dropped 1.4% on the day. Millions of Americans remain unemployed or furloughed as a direct result of the virus. The pace of job gains is slowing. A growing number of brokerages and economists are cutting their projections for fourth-quarter economic activity.
watch now
The Labor Department's most recent jobs report, released on Friday, showed the U.S. added 661,000 positions last month, fewer than the 800,000 expected. The unemployment rate inched lower to 7.9%, its highest level since 2013 excluding worse readings from earlier in the Covid-19 crisis. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had been leading Democrats in negotiations with the White House, spoke with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin later Tuesday afternoon and confirmed that the president had walked away from the talks. The chamber passed a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill last week that would have included the $600 per week in extra jobless benefits through January, send another $1,200 direct payment to most Americans, direct $436 billion in aid to states and municipalities, and authorize a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Some were confused as to why the market didn't sell off even more since so many strategists and investors are positioning their equity portfolios as if another stimulus deal is inevitable. Dennis DeBusschere, an equity strategist at Evercore ISI, said in an email that selling may have been contained since the president's tweet increased the odds of a Democratic sweep of the White House and Congress. Under that election outcome, it's likely top Democrats would force an even larger stimulus anyway, he wrote. "Market returns will now come down to who sweeps, how much stimulus we get and what it looks like under either a Republican or Democratic Congress/President," DeBusschere wrote. "For now, the sweep scenario clearly favors the Democrats. That is why an unwind stimulus trades should not be taken too far." "That being said, Senate sweep odds are a coin flip (57% according to Predictit), so trading will be extremely volatile near term," he added.
watch now


cnbc--2020-10-06--Trump says he's calling off stimulus negotiations with Democrats 'until after the election'

In a statement responding to Trump 's tweets , Pelosi said the president `` showed his true colors : putting himself first at the expense of the country , with the full complicity of the GOP Members of Congress . ''
She added that `` walking away from coronavirus talks demonstrates that President Trump is unwilling to crush the virus . ''
Pelosi and Mnuchin talked Tuesday afternoon , and the Treasury secretary confirmed that Trump pulled out of the discussions , the speaker 's spokesman Drew Hammill said in a tweet .
Pelosi `` expressed her disappointment in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump appeared to contradict his earlier message in a tweet Tuesday night .
Responding to a headline about Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell calling for more fiscal stimulus and saying Congress has a low risk of `` overdoing it , '' the president wrote , `` True ! ''
The president added that he has asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to `` focus full time '' on confirming Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett , which Senate Republicans have pushed to do before the election amid several Covid-19 cases within their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders about stimulus plans earlier in the day .
`` I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when , immediately after I win , we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business , '' Trump tweeted Tuesday .
The declaration halts an ongoing push to send trillions of dollars more in relief to Americans as the outbreak rampages through the U.S. and the economy struggles to recover from virus-related shutdowns .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday and planned to talk about a possible agreement again Tuesday .
Trump , who has Covid-19 himself , had only three days ago urged the sides to complete a deal after taking no direct role in the talks for months .
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has told his administration 's negotiators to end coronavirus stimulus talks with Democrats until after the Nov. 3 election .
Investors punished stocks in response to Trump 's tweets .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed more than 300 points , or 1.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks made little progress for months , traders had grown more hopeful that the sides could reach a deal before the election as many individuals and businesses struggle during the ongoing outbreak .
Congress has failed to deliver new relief money to Americans for months as millions of people left jobless by the pandemic struggle to pay for food and housing .
Lifelines that sustained the economy throughout the early stages of the pandemic , including the $ 600 per week unemployment benefit and the window to apply for Paycheck Protection Program small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his tweets Tuesday , Trump appeared to argue the U.S. economy does not need any more stimulus .
He wrote that `` we are leading the World in Economic Recovery , and THE BEST IS YET TO COME ! ''
While the U.S. quickly regained many of the jobs lost earlier this year , a weaker-than-expected nonfarm payrolls gain of 661,000 in September fueled more concerns about the U.S. economic recovery slowing .
The unemployment rate fell to 7.9 % , still significantly higher than before the pandemic hit .
Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Powell urged Congress to approve more fiscal stimulus .
He said a lack of sustained support from the federal government could `` lead to a weak recovery , creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses . ''
The president decided to pull away from negotiations only weeks before an election in which his struggle to contain the virus outbreak and curb the economic damage from it have harmed his chances of winning a second term in the White House .
While Congress faced an uphill path to passing aid before the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off active talks shocked political and business observers alike .
`` Nobody gets it , '' a senior Wall Street executive who declined to be named told CNBC of the decision .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , who has supported more stimulus as the Democratic presidential nominee , has targeted Trump for failing to limit the economic destruction caused by the coronavirus .
Jared Bernstein , a former economic advisor to Biden and an informal advisor to his presidential campaign , criticized Trump for postponing the talks .
`` With literally millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with job growth downshifting , this is no time for the president to stop negotiating , '' he said .
`` His lack of leadership throughout the process has been and continues to be a huge stumbling block . ''
Democrats and the Trump administration had struggled to agree on what provisions a fifth aid package would include and how much the proposal would cost .
Democrats passed a $ 2.2 trillion relief bill last week , while Republicans had offered a $ 1.6 trillion package .
Democratic leaders repeatedly argued the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis .
Republicans , who grew wary of spending federal money , insisted Democrats proposed an unnecessarily expensive plan that embraced liberal priorities unrelated to the pandemic .
After Trump 's announcement , McConnell told reporters that `` I think his view was that they were not going to produce a result and that we needed to concentrate on what 's achievable . ''
Asked if he supported the decision , the senator responded , `` I do . ''
Democrats and the White House appeared to have agreed on a range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,200 direct payment to most Americans , funds for a second round of small business loans , money for schools and $ 25 billion to help cover airline payrolls as companies plan tens of thousands of furloughs .
But the sides failed to overcome fundamental disputes about several other issues .
Democrats most recently proposed $ 436 billion in relief for state and local governments , while Mnuchin offered $ 250 billion in aid .
Pelosi pushed to reinstate the $ 600 per week jobless benefit until January , but the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted liability protections for businesses and schools , which Democrats oppose .
In his tweets , Trump claimed the proposed state and municipal aid is a `` bailout '' of Democratic-run states that is `` in no way related to COVID-19 . ''
The bipartisan National Governors Association has pushed for at least $ 500 billion more in federal relief as governments consider cuts to education and essential services while they face increased costs and lower revenue during the pandemic .
The president also said Pelosi `` is not negotiating in good faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.6 trillion offer .
Polls have consistently found voters want Congress to pass more aid ahead of the election .
A new CNBC/Change Research poll released Tuesday asked likely voters whether one of two statements came closer to their views : `` The economy is struggling and we need more financial relief from Washington , '' or `` The economy is recovering and we do not need any more financial relief from Washington . ''
Nationally , 66 % of respondents said the country needs more aid , while 34 % answered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In six swing states — Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — 63 % of likely voters said America needs more financial relief from the federal government , while 37 % said it does not .
At least three GOP members of Congress quickly questioned Trump 's decision .
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , who faces one of the Senate 's toughest reelection bids , called for lawmakers to pass another aid bill before Nov. 3 .
`` Waiting until after the election to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package is a huge mistake , '' she said in a statement .
`` I have already been in touch with the Secretary of the Treasury , one of the chief negotiators , and with several of my Senate colleagues . ''
Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska , said in a statement that `` I strongly believe negotiations should continue . ''
Rep. John Katko , a New York Republican running in a potentially competitive race in November , tweeted that he wants the president `` to rethink this move . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives at stake , we can not afford to stop negotiations on a relief package , '' he wrote .

The president added that he has asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to "focus full time" on confirming Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, which Senate Republicans have pushed to do before the election amid several Covid-19 cases within their ranks. Trump spoke with Republican congressional leaders about stimulus plans earlier in the day.
"I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business," Trump tweeted Tuesday.
The declaration halts an ongoing push to send trillions of dollars more in relief to Americans as the outbreak rampages through the U.S. and the economy struggles to recover from virus-related shutdowns. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke for an hour about a relief package on Monday and planned to talk about a possible agreement again Tuesday. Trump, who has Covid-19 himself, had only three days ago urged the sides to complete a deal after taking no direct role in the talks for months.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has told his administration's negotiators to end coronavirus stimulus talks with Democrats until after the Nov. 3 election.
In a statement responding to Trump's tweets, Pelosi said the president "showed his true colors: putting himself first at the expense of the country, with the full complicity of the GOP Members of Congress." She added that "walking away from coronavirus talks demonstrates that President Trump is unwilling to crush the virus."
Pelosi and Mnuchin talked Tuesday afternoon, and the Treasury secretary confirmed that Trump pulled out of the discussions, the speaker's spokesman Drew Hammill said in a tweet. Pelosi "expressed her disappointment in the President's decision," Hammill wrote.
Trump appeared to contradict his earlier message in a tweet Tuesday night. Responding to a headline about Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell calling for more fiscal stimulus and saying Congress has a low risk of "overdoing it," the president wrote, "True!"
Investors punished stocks in response to Trump's tweets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed more than 300 points, or 1.3%, lower after the announcement.
Though talks made little progress for months, traders had grown more hopeful that the sides could reach a deal before the election as many individuals and businesses struggle during the ongoing outbreak.
Congress has failed to deliver new relief money to Americans for months as millions of people left jobless by the pandemic struggle to pay for food and housing. Lifelines that sustained the economy throughout the early stages of the pandemic, including the $600 per week unemployment benefit and the window to apply for Paycheck Protection Program small business loans, lapsed weeks ago.
In his tweets Tuesday, Trump appeared to argue the U.S. economy does not need any more stimulus. He wrote that "we are leading the World in Economic Recovery, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"
While the U.S. quickly regained many of the jobs lost earlier this year, a weaker-than-expected nonfarm payrolls gain of 661,000 in September fueled more concerns about the U.S. economic recovery slowing. The unemployment rate fell to 7.9%, still significantly higher than before the pandemic hit.
Trump's push to stop negotiations came only hours after Powell urged Congress to approve more fiscal stimulus. He said a lack of sustained support from the federal government could "lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses."
The president decided to pull away from negotiations only weeks before an election in which his struggle to contain the virus outbreak and curb the economic damage from it have harmed his chances of winning a second term in the White House. While Congress faced an uphill path to passing aid before the election, Trump's decision to suddenly call off active talks shocked political and business observers alike.
"Nobody gets it," a senior Wall Street executive who declined to be named told CNBC of the decision.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, who has supported more stimulus as the Democratic presidential nominee, has targeted Trump for failing to limit the economic destruction caused by the coronavirus. Jared Bernstein, a former economic advisor to Biden and an informal advisor to his presidential campaign, criticized Trump for postponing the talks.
"With literally millions of people facing hunger and evictions, and with job growth downshifting, this is no time for the president to stop negotiating," he said. "His lack of leadership throughout the process has been and continues to be a huge stumbling block."
Democrats and the Trump administration had struggled to agree on what provisions a fifth aid package would include and how much the proposal would cost. Democrats passed a $2.2 trillion relief bill last week, while Republicans had offered a $1.6 trillion package.
Democratic leaders repeatedly argued the GOP did not recognize the gravity of the crisis. Republicans, who grew wary of spending federal money, insisted Democrats proposed an unnecessarily expensive plan that embraced liberal priorities unrelated to the pandemic.
After Trump's announcement, McConnell told reporters that "I think his view was that they were not going to produce a result and that we needed to concentrate on what's achievable." Asked if he supported the decision, the senator responded, "I do."
Democrats and the White House appeared to have agreed on a range of relief provisions, including another $1,200 direct payment to most Americans, funds for a second round of small business loans, money for schools and $25 billion to help cover airline payrolls as companies plan tens of thousands of furloughs. But the sides failed to overcome fundamental disputes about several other issues.
Democrats most recently proposed $436 billion in relief for state and local governments, while Mnuchin offered $250 billion in aid. Pelosi pushed to reinstate the $600 per week jobless benefit until January, but the White House proposed $400 weekly. Republicans also wanted liability protections for businesses and schools, which Democrats oppose.
In his tweets, Trump claimed the proposed state and municipal aid is a "bailout" of Democratic-run states that is "in no way related to COVID-19." The bipartisan National Governors Association has pushed for at least $500 billion more in federal relief as governments consider cuts to education and essential services while they face increased costs and lower revenue during the pandemic.
The president also said Pelosi "is not negotiating in good faith" after the White House made its $1.6 trillion offer.
Polls have consistently found voters want Congress to pass more aid ahead of the election. A new CNBC/Change Research poll released Tuesday asked likely voters whether one of two statements came closer to their views: "The economy is struggling and we need more financial relief from Washington," or "The economy is recovering and we do not need any more financial relief from Washington."
Nationally, 66% of respondents said the country needs more aid, while 34% answered that it does not need more assistance. In six swing states — Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — 63% of likely voters said America needs more financial relief from the federal government, while 37% said it does not.
At least three GOP members of Congress quickly questioned Trump's decision. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who faces one of the Senate's toughest reelection bids, called for lawmakers to pass another aid bill before Nov. 3.
"Waiting until after the election to reach an agreement on the next Covid-19 relief package is a huge mistake," she said in a statement. "I have already been in touch with the Secretary of the Treasury, one of the chief negotiators, and with several of my Senate colleagues."
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in a statement that "I strongly believe negotiations should continue."
Rep. John Katko, a New York Republican running in a potentially competitive race in November, tweeted that he wants the president "to rethink this move."
"I disagree with the President. With lives at stake, we cannot afford to stop negotiations on a relief package," he wrote.
— CNBC's Brian Schwartz contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-10-06--Trump joined in a call with top lawmakers to discuss coronavirus stimulus

President Donald Trump joined top GOP lawmakers on a phone call earlier Tuesday to discuss the next round of Covid-19 stimulus before ultimately announcing that he 's directed his top negotiators to postpone talks until after the election .
The president , who thus far has relied on White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to lead the negotiations , participated in the call during his first full day back from the hospital , an administration official confirmed to CNBC .
Other GOP leaders on the phone call included Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump later Tuesday said he has told his administration 's negotiators to end coronavirus stimulus talks with Democrats until after the Nov. 3 election .
The declaration , if the White House follows through on it , would halt an ongoing push to send trillions of dollars more in relief to Americans as the outbreak rampages through the U.S. and the economy struggles to recover from virus-related shutdowns .
Though the president had for weeks left Meadows and Mnuchin in charge , he on Saturday took to Twitter from his hospitalization at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call on Congress to strike a deal .
`` OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS .
WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE .
Thank you ! ''
he wrote at the time .
The president was discharged from Walter Reed on Monday evening and continues to be treated for Covid-19 .
House Democrats passed a $ 2.2 trillion stimulus package on Thursday even as the two sides struggled to reach a deal .
But McConnell and other GOP senators have opposed the legislation as too large and argue that spending trillions more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt further .
The latest deadlock comes as the country reports tens of thousands of new Covid-19 cases per day and some of the largest U.S. firms plan new layoffs and furloughs .
Adding to the urgency , the $ 600 per week supplemental unemployment benefit , the federal moratorium on evictions and the window to apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans all expired weeks ago .
Politico first reported the news of the phone call .

President Donald Trump joined top GOP lawmakers on a phone call earlier Tuesday to discuss the next round of Covid-19 stimulus before ultimately announcing that he's directed his top negotiators to postpone talks until after the election.
The president, who thus far has relied on White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to lead the negotiations, participated in the call during his first full day back from the hospital, an administration official confirmed to CNBC.
Other GOP leaders on the phone call included Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Mnuchin.
Trump later Tuesday said he has told his administration's negotiators to end coronavirus stimulus talks with Democrats until after the Nov. 3 election.
The declaration, if the White House follows through on it, would halt an ongoing push to send trillions of dollars more in relief to Americans as the outbreak rampages through the U.S. and the economy struggles to recover from virus-related shutdowns.


cnbc--2020-10-06--Top military leaders self-quarantining after positive coronavirus test at Pentagon

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley speaks with members of the military before the Medal of Honor ceremony for US Army Sergeant Major Thomas Payne for conspicuous gallantry while serving in Iraq , in the East Room of the White House in Washington , DC on September 11 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Tuesday that top military leaders are self-quarantining after one of the Coast Guard service chiefs tested positive for the coronavirus .
Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Charles Ray tested positive for coronavirus on Monday after experiencing mild symptoms of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ray participated in meetings at the Pentagon , some of which included members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , the nation 's top military leaders .
`` Chairman , Vice Chairman , and all Joint Chiefs have been tested and tested negative , '' a defense official told CNBC .
`` None have exhibited any symptoms , '' the person added .
The Pentagon said there were no more positive tests since Ray .
`` Out of an abundance of caution , all potential close contacts from these meetings are self-quarantining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said in an emailed statement Tuesday .
Hoffman added that the Pentagon was conducting further contact tracing as well as additional testing .

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley speaks with members of the military before the Medal of Honor ceremony for US Army Sergeant Major Thomas Payne for conspicuous gallantry while serving in Iraq, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on September 11, 2020.
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Tuesday that top military leaders are self-quarantining after one of the Coast Guard service chiefs tested positive for the coronavirus.
Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Charles Ray tested positive for coronavirus on Monday after experiencing mild symptoms of the disease over the weekend.
Last week, Ray participated in meetings at the Pentagon, some of which included members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation's top military leaders.
"Chairman, Vice Chairman, and all Joint Chiefs have been tested and tested negative," a defense official told CNBC. "None have exhibited any symptoms," the person added.
The Pentagon said there were no more positive tests since Ray.
"Out of an abundance of caution, all potential close contacts from these meetings are self-quarantining and have been tested this morning," Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said in an emailed statement Tuesday. Hoffman added that the Pentagon was conducting further contact tracing as well as additional testing.


cnbc--2020-10-06--Trump reports no symptoms after first night back at the White House, doctor says in memo

President Donald Trump reported no symptoms of the coronavirus Tuesday following his first night out of the hospital , the White House physician said .
`` This morning the President 's team of physicians met with him in the Residence , '' Dr. Sean Conley said in a brief , nonspecific memo , the latest report on Trump 's progress battling Covid-19 .
`` He had a restful first night at home , and today he reports no symptoms , '' Conley wrote .
Trump 's `` vital signs and physical exam remain stable , '' Conley wrote .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The optimistic update from the White House doctor came less than a day after Trump , 74 , was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where he had been flown as a precautionary measure after he began experiencing Covid-19 symptoms .
The president had been hospitalized Friday evening , the same day he had announced on Twitter that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the virus .
White House officials said at the time that the president was experiencing `` mild symptoms , '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference Saturday .
But he and other doctors have refused to answer specific questions from reporters about Trump 's health , and some officials have offered conflicting messages .
On Monday afternoon , Trump walked out of Walter Reed on his own , wearing a mask , and flew on Marine One back to the White House .
Upon his arrival , Trump climbed a set of steps to the balcony of the South Portico and removed his mask before saluting the helicopter 's departure .
Critics , skeptical of the lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that the president appeared to be breathing heavily at the time .
He then spoke in a video that was later posted to his social media , telling his followers not to let the coronavirus `` dominate you . ''
`` I know there 's a risk , there 's a danger , but that 's OK , '' Trump added in the video .
`` And now I 'm better , and maybe I 'm immune , I do n't know . ''
Trump has access to world-class medical care and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
At least 210,195 people in the U.S. have died from Covid-19 , and experts fear the virus could grow more intense as the winter approaches .

President Donald Trump reported no symptoms of the coronavirus Tuesday following his first night out of the hospital, the White House physician said.
"This morning the President's team of physicians met with him in the Residence," Dr. Sean Conley said in a brief, nonspecific memo, the latest report on Trump's progress battling Covid-19.
"He had a restful first night at home, and today he reports no symptoms," Conley wrote.
Trump's "vital signs and physical exam remain stable," Conley wrote. "Overall he continues to do extremely well."
The optimistic update from the White House doctor came less than a day after Trump, 74, was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he had been flown as a precautionary measure after he began experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.
The president had been hospitalized Friday evening, the same day he had announced on Twitter that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for the virus.
White House officials said at the time that the president was experiencing "mild symptoms," and Conley offered a rosy prognosis in a press conference Saturday. But he and other doctors have refused to answer specific questions from reporters about Trump's health, and some officials have offered conflicting messages.
On Monday afternoon, Trump walked out of Walter Reed on his own, wearing a mask, and flew on Marine One back to the White House.
Upon his arrival, Trump climbed a set of steps to the balcony of the South Portico and removed his mask before saluting the helicopter's departure. Critics, skeptical of the lack of transparency coming from the administration, noted that the president appeared to be breathing heavily at the time.
He then spoke in a video that was later posted to his social media, telling his followers not to let the coronavirus "dominate you."
"I know there's a risk, there's a danger, but that's OK," Trump added in the video. "And now I'm better, and maybe I'm immune, I don't know."
Trump has access to world-class medical care and still-under-review treatments that are unavailable to most Americans. At least 210,195 people in the U.S. have died from Covid-19, and experts fear the virus could grow more intense as the winter approaches.


cnbc--2020-10-06--Trump says he's 'looking forward' to second debate with Biden after Covid diagnosis

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the first 2020 presidential campaign debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , held on the campus of the Cleveland Clinic at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , Ohio , U.S. , September 29 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he 's looking forward to next week 's debate with former Vice President Joe Biden as scheduled .
The president announced his plans participate in the second debate less than 24 hours after he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment of Covid-19 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the evening of Thursday , October 15th in Miami , '' Trump wrote on his Twitter feed .
`` It will be great ! ''
Asked whether the Trump campaign will comply with testing requirements and any additional health measures in light of the president 's diagnosis , communications director Tim Murtaugh said : `` The President intends to participate in person . ''
The remarks came amid concerns that , despite his enthusiasm , the president could still pose a public health risk and infect others with the coronavirus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group that sponsors the debates , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
According to guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Trump is considered contagious 10 to 20 days from the onset of symptoms .
For the president , that occurred on or about Oct. 1 .
The president 's medical team is continuing to scrutinize his viral load for insight as to when he may no longer be infectious .
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday after a three-night stay at Walter Reed , where he was treated for the coronavirus with a cocktail of drugs including Gilead 's remdesivir , Regeneron 's antibody cocktail and the steroid dexamethasone .
The president has in recent days struck an upbeat and reassuring tone when discussing both his health and the severity of the global pandemic .
Hours before he was discharged from the hospital , Trump encouraged Americans not to be afraid of the deadly virus and said he felt `` better than I did 20 years ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lighthearted comments may convince everyday Americans that the disease is n't as bad as feared and result in widespread disregard for health-care guidelines .
The CDC and other public health officials continue to warn that the coronavirus is a significant risk to Americans .
The virus has killed more than 200,000 in the U.S. Should the debate move forward as planned , both Trump and Biden will answer questions from voters in Miami .
The political editor of C-SPAN is the moderator for the second debate .
It will be in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate is scheduled for Oct. 22 at Belmont University in Nashville , Tennessee .
NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker will moderate that debate .

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the first 2020 presidential campaign debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, held on the campus of the Cleveland Clinic at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., September 29, 2020.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he's looking forward to next week's debate with former Vice President Joe Biden as scheduled.
The president announced his plans participate in the second debate less than 24 hours after he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment of Covid-19.
"I am looking forward to the debate on the evening of Thursday, October 15th in Miami," Trump wrote on his Twitter feed. "It will be great!"
Asked whether the Trump campaign will comply with testing requirements and any additional health measures in light of the president's diagnosis, communications director Tim Murtaugh said: "The President intends to participate in person."
The remarks came amid concerns that, despite his enthusiasm, the president could still pose a public health risk and infect others with the coronavirus. The Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonprofit group that sponsors the debates, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Trump is considered contagious 10 to 20 days from the onset of symptoms. For the president, that occurred on or about Oct. 1.
The president's medical team is continuing to scrutinize his viral load for insight as to when he may no longer be infectious. The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Trump returned to the White House on Monday after a three-night stay at Walter Reed, where he was treated for the coronavirus with a cocktail of drugs including Gilead's remdesivir, Regeneron's antibody cocktail and the steroid dexamethasone.
The president has in recent days struck an upbeat and reassuring tone when discussing both his health and the severity of the global pandemic.
Hours before he was discharged from the hospital, Trump encouraged Americans not to be afraid of the deadly virus and said he felt "better than I did 20 years ago."
But critics say that the president's lighthearted comments may convince everyday Americans that the disease isn't as bad as feared and result in widespread disregard for health-care guidelines.
The CDC and other public health officials continue to warn that the coronavirus is a significant risk to Americans. The virus has killed more than 200,000 in the U.S.
Should the debate move forward as planned, both Trump and Biden will answer questions from voters in Miami. The political editor of C-SPAN is the moderator for the second debate. It will be in a town hall format.
A third presidential debate is scheduled for Oct. 22 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker will moderate that debate.


cnbc--2020-10-06--Biden holds stable lead in six swing states after debate, Trump's coronavirus diagnosis, new poll fi

Biden holds stable lead in six swing states after debate, Trump's coronavirus diagnosis, new poll finds

Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump in six swing states after the first 2020 presidential debate and following the president 's diagnosis with Covid-19 , according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll .
Across the key states of Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , the Democratic nominee garners 50 % of support , compared with 45 % for the Republican incumbent , the survey released Tuesday found .
In a poll taken two weeks ago , Biden had a 49 % to 45 % edge over Trump across the six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every one of the six states , though he holds his smallest lead in North Carolina .
Here is where the race stands in each state , including the change in Biden 's lead from two weeks ago : The poll surveyed 2,688 likely voters in the six states from Friday to Sunday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.89 percentage points .
The survey finds a stable race with less than a month to go until Election Day on Nov. 3 .
Biden has run ahead of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though by margins that the president could feasibly overcome .
The findings in the CNBC/Change Research poll follow the first presidential debate , a free-for-all that took place a week ago .
Voters were surveyed after Trump 's coronavirus diagnosis , which he announced early Friday .
Regarding the president 's health , 52 % of likely swing-state voters said they have serious concerns , while 48 % answered that they did not .
Trump returned to the White House on Monday night after getting treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` may not entirely be out of the woods yet . ''
Only 39 % of respondents said they think Trump took the appropriate precautions to prevent himself from getting exposed to the virus , while 55 % said he failed to do so .
Seventy-five percent answered that they believe Biden has taken the right steps to avoid exposure .
Worries about the virus outbreak ticked higher in the last two weeks .
Across the six states , 72 % said they had serious concerns about Covid-19 , up from 65 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the effects of the coronavirus , 40 % of respondents said they think things are getting better , while 42 % answered that they believe they are getting worse .
In the previous survey , 46 % of voters said they believed the situation was improving , while 34 % thought it was getting worse .
Voters are most pessimistic in Wisconsin , which has endured a troubling recent spike in infections .
In the state , 59 % of respondents this week said they think the effects of the outbreak are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give Trump poor marks on how he has managed the pandemic .
Only 46 % of respondents approve of how he is handling the coronavirus , while 54 % disapprove .
A majority — 53 % — said they think Biden and Democrats would do a better job handling the virus , versus 47 % who chose Trump and Republicans .
The president downplayed the severity of the disease in recent days , even after he received an experimental treatment at the hospital , an outbreak spread among his White House staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topped 210,000 .
In a video posted to Twitter on Monday night , Trump told Americans not to let the virus `` dominate '' their lives .
As he still tries to fight off the infection , Trump claimed he might be `` immune '' to the disease .

watch now
Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump in six swing states after the first 2020 presidential debate and following the president's diagnosis with Covid-19, according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll. Across the key states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the Democratic nominee garners 50% of support, compared with 45% for the Republican incumbent, the survey released Tuesday found. In a poll taken two weeks ago, Biden had a 49% to 45% edge over Trump across the six states. Biden has an advantage in every one of the six states, though he holds his smallest lead in North Carolina. Here is where the race stands in each state, including the change in Biden's lead from two weeks ago: Arizona: Biden 51%, Trump 45% (no change in lead)
Biden 51%, Trump 45% (no change in lead) Florida: Biden 50%, Trump 46% (+1)
Biden 50%, Trump 46% (+1) Michigan: Biden 51%, Trump 43% (no change in lead)
Biden 51%, Trump 43% (no change in lead) North Carolina: Biden 49%, Trump 47% (no change in lead)
Biden 49%, Trump 47% (no change in lead) Pennsylvania: Biden 50%, Trump 46% (no change in lead)
Biden 50%, Trump 46% (no change in lead) Wisconsin: Biden 51%, Trump 44% (-2) The poll surveyed 2,688 likely voters in the six states from Friday to Sunday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.89 percentage points.
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden boards his campaign plane for travel to Miami at New Castle Airport in New Castle, Delaware, U.S., October 5, 2020. Brendan McDermid | Reuters
The survey finds a stable race with less than a month to go until Election Day on Nov. 3. Biden has run ahead of Trump in the election's most critical states, though by margins that the president could feasibly overcome. The findings in the CNBC/Change Research poll follow the first presidential debate, a free-for-all that took place a week ago. Voters were surveyed after Trump's coronavirus diagnosis, which he announced early Friday. Regarding the president's health, 52% of likely swing-state voters said they have serious concerns, while 48% answered that they did not. Trump returned to the White House on Monday night after getting treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, though his doctor cautioned he "may not entirely be out of the woods yet." Only 39% of respondents said they think Trump took the appropriate precautions to prevent himself from getting exposed to the virus, while 55% said he failed to do so. Seventy-five percent answered that they believe Biden has taken the right steps to avoid exposure. Worries about the virus outbreak ticked higher in the last two weeks. Across the six states, 72% said they had serious concerns about Covid-19, up from 65% in the previous survey.
watch now


cnbc--2020-10-06--Joe Biden says Trump bears responsibility for Covid-19 infection

Joe Biden said Monday night that President Donald Trump bears responsibility for becoming infected with Covid-19 as a result of his frequent refusal to wear a mask while around others .
`` Look , anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying , 'masks do n't matter , social distancing does n't matter ' — I think is responsible for what happens to them , '' Biden said during a NBC News town hall hosted by Lester Holt .
The Miami town hall took place in front of a socially distanced audience .
Biden said that if those in attendance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they would also bear responsibility for what happened .
`` They 're taking responsibility that , in fact , they should be held responsible for , because every major scientist and doctor and immunologist has said that 's a very dangerous thing to do , '' Biden said .
`` The particles and droplets can stay in the air for a long time , longer than they thought . ''
Biden 's comments came shortly after Trump left the Walter Reed hospital after three days of being treated for coronavirus .
First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president announced early Friday .
Biden , who is leading Trump in national polls and several swing state surveys , has previously wished the president and the first lady a speedy recovery .

Joe Biden said Monday night that President Donald Trump bears responsibility for becoming infected with Covid-19 as a result of his frequent refusal to wear a mask while around others.
"Look, anybody who contracts the virus by essentially saying, 'masks don't matter, social distancing doesn't matter' — I think is responsible for what happens to them," Biden said during a NBC News town hall hosted by Lester Holt.
The Miami town hall took place in front of a socially distanced audience. Biden said that if those in attendance took off their masks and crowded around, they would also bear responsibility for what happened.
Read more: Biden woos Cuban-American voters in Florida
"They're taking responsibility that, in fact, they should be held responsible for, because every major scientist and doctor and immunologist has said that's a very dangerous thing to do," Biden said. "The particles and droplets can stay in the air for a long time, longer than they thought."
Biden's comments came shortly after Trump left the Walter Reed hospital after three days of being treated for coronavirus. First lady Melania Trump also tested positive, the president announced early Friday.
Biden, who is leading Trump in national polls and several swing state surveys, has previously wished the president and the first lady a speedy recovery.


cnbc--2020-10-06--Trump press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and two deputies test positive for coronavirus

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and two of her deputies have tested positive for the coronavirus as President Donald Trump remains hospitalized with the virus .
McEnany and her two deputies , Chad Gilmartin and Karoline Leavitt , are among at least 18 people people in the White House , or connected to Trump 's reelection campaign or to recent White House events , who have tested positive for Covid-19 since late last week .
`` After testing negative consistently , including every day since Thursday , I tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning while experiencing no symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` No reporters , producers , or members of the press are listed as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit . ''
It was not clear when Gilmartin , who is principal assistant press secretary , and Leavitt , who is assistant press secretary , tested positives for Covid-19 .
Their diagnoses , which were confirmed by NBC News with two sources familiar with their situation , were made public only after McEnany disclosed her diagnois on Twitter .
The other people connected to Trump and recent White House events who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign manager Bill Stepien , Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel , Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , three Republican senators , Mike Lee of Utah , Thom Tillis of North Carolina , and Wisconsin 's Ron Johnson , as well as Nick Luna , the president 's personal assistant .
University of Notre Dame President John Jenkins also tested positive , after attending a White House event announcing Trump 's nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
In addition , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House over the past week have tested positive for the coronavirus , according to the White House Correspondents Association .
McEnany , who is married and gave birth to a daughter last November , briefed reporters at the White House on Thursday , hours before Trump 's advisor Hope Hicks was revealed to have tested positive .
Trump announced his diagnosis and that of his wife , first lady Melania Trump , shortly after Hicks ' diagnosis became public .
`` I definitely had no knowledge of Hope Hicks ' diagnosis prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , '' McEnany tweeted Monday .
`` As an essential worker , I have worked diligently to provide needed information to the American People at this time , '' she wrote .
`` With my recent positive test , I will begin the quarantine process and will continue working on behalf of the American People remotely . ''
In February , McEnany , during an appearance on Fox News that preceded her appointment as press secretary , said that under Trump 's leadership `` We will not see diseases like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see terrorism come here , and is n't that refreshing when contrasting it with the awful presidency of President [ Barack ] Obama ? ''
When her comments to Fox News resurfaced after her appointment , McEnany on Twitter accused a reporter who had tweeted her interview of `` ridiculous spin , '' and added , `` I was asked about travel restrictions & stated the intent of those restrictions : 'We will not see diseases like the coronavirus come here . '
`` `` President Trump works to defeat the invisible enemy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McEnany wrote on a post aimed at that reporter .
White House spokesman Judd Deere said Monday , `` Contact tracing will certainly be done from Kayleigh McEnany 's case , consistent with CDC [ federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ] guidelines , and appropriate recommendations will be made . ''
In White House circles , McEnany has become a symbol of how closely held the early diagnoses of Covid-19 were among high-ranking officials .
While Hicks tested positive for the coronavirus early Thursday , McEnany was not immediately informed of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been exposed to the virus , until Thursday evening , when press reports began to emerge about Hicks .
A senior White House official told NBC News that McEnany was pulled from the group accompanying Trump to his golf club in Bedminster , New Jersey , on Thursday but was not told why .
The official said McEnany did not learn until later that afternoon that Hicks had tested positive that day .
In the hours between Hicks ' positive test and when McEnany learned of it , she briefed the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not wearing a mask .
Melania Trump 's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham , who preceded McEnany as White House press secretary , declined to comment on McEnany 's disclosure .
McEnany told reporters on Saturday that she had tested negative , and she was seen wearing a mask on White House grounds on Friday when the president was moved to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
But on Sunday , she removed her mask in order to tape an appearance on Fox News .
She removed it again moments afterward to speak to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of Sunday night , the White House had not reached out to any of the three infected correspondents to conduct contact tracing .
Ben Williamson , senior communications advisor at the White House , tweeted Monday about McEnany 's lack of a mask : `` For those asking about this : @ PressSec briefly removed her mask at the mic to answer questions , was there for two questions and only 58 seconds . ''
White House Correspondents ' Association President Zeke Miller said in a statement , `` We wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling with the virus a swift recovery . ''
`` As of this moment we are not aware of additional cases among White House journalists , though we know some are awaiting test results , '' said Miller , an Associated Press reporter .
`` We strongly encourage our members to continue following CDC guidance on mask-wearing and distancing — especially when at the White House — and urge journalists to seek testing if they were potentially exposed . ''
Editor 's note : This story was updated to note that at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive for Covid-19 recently .

watch now
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and two of her deputies have tested positive for the coronavirus as President Donald Trump remains hospitalized with the virus. McEnany and her two deputies, Chad Gilmartin and Karoline Leavitt, are among at least 18 people people in the White House, or connected to Trump's reelection campaign or to recent White House events, who have tested positive for Covid-19 since late last week. "After testing negative consistently, including every day since Thursday, I tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning while experiencing no symptoms," McEnany said on Twitter. "No reporters, producers, or members of the press are listed as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit." It was not clear when Gilmartin, who is principal assistant press secretary, and Leavitt, who is assistant press secretary, tested positives for Covid-19. Their diagnoses, which were confirmed by NBC News with two sources familiar with their situation, were made public only after McEnany disclosed her diagnois on Twitter. The other people connected to Trump and recent White House events who have tested positive since Thursday include Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, three Republican senators, Mike Lee of Utah, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Wisconsin's Ron Johnson, as well as Nick Luna, the president's personal assistant. University of Notre Dame President John Jenkins also tested positive, after attending a White House event announcing Trump's nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. In addition, at least three journalists who were at the White House over the past week have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the White House Correspondents Association.
Kayleigh McEnany, White House press secretary, left, and Chad Gilmartin, principal assistant White House press secretary, arrive to a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Thursday, July 16, 2020. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images
McEnany, who is married and gave birth to a daughter last November, briefed reporters at the White House on Thursday, hours before Trump's advisor Hope Hicks was revealed to have tested positive. Trump announced his diagnosis and that of his wife, first lady Melania Trump, shortly after Hicks' diagnosis became public. "I definitely had no knowledge of Hope Hicks' diagnosis prior to holding a White House press briefing on Thursday," McEnany tweeted Monday.
watch now


cnbc--2020-10-07--Here’s what Mike Pence and Kamala Harris need to do in the vice presidential debate

Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris will lock horns in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night in their first and only debate of the 2020 campaign .
But the coronavirus will cast a shadow over the show .
With less than four weeks until Election Day , the pandemic 's presence looms larger than ever over the nation , and the political fortunes of incumbent President Donald Trump and his rival , former Vice President Joe Biden .
More than 211,000 people in the U.S. have died from Covid-19 this year , and millions more have lost their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those infected include Trump , 74 , who revealed on Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus after he spent months downplaying the severity of the deadly virus .
Trump was hospitalized the next three days at Walter Reed medical center undergoing aggressive treatment .
During that same 72 hours , more than a dozen White House aides and Republican lawmakers announced they , too , had tested positive for the virus .
Pence and Harris will take the stage just two days after Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of White House physicians .
Pence has tested negative for the virus , but as a precaution , he and Harris will be more than 12 feet apart and separated by plexiglass .
The 90-minute debate will be held in Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah , starting at 9 p.m .
ET .
The event will be livestreamed on CNBC.com and will air on White House pool networks .
Here 's what Pence and Harris each need to do : Pence has to shine in the spotlight The president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debate , said Mitchell McKinney , director of the Political Communication Institute at the University of Missouri and an expert on presidential debating .
`` Like many people , I initially thought most of the attention Wednesday would be focused on Harris , but in the past week so much has changed with the president in the hospital , '' McKinney told CNBC on Tuesday .
`` Voters are looking at Mike Pence now with a new sense of urgency . ''
Biden 's age — 77 — had been a frequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been openly been making claims about his mental acuity and health .
But Trump 's diagnosis , and the urgent questions about his condition , have put more pressure on Pence to display his readiness to lead .
`` Both of the presidential candidates are old , and they have health issues , '' said Aaron Kall , director of the University of Michigan 's debate program .
`` So are these [ vice presidential ] nominees ready to step in at a moment 's notice ?
Are they experienced ?
Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kall said .
`` Voters at the debate are really going to be asking those questions , given the health of the two people at the top . ''
Harris needs to tie Pence to Trump 's worst excesses Harris may be debating Pence , but she should train her sights on Trump , as well , McKinney said .
`` Harris has to call into question the entire Trump operation , all the chaos .
She 'll take it to Mike Pence , but the case she 's prosecuting is the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence has been among Trump 's most loyal and outspoken defenders throughout his tumultuous first term .
As a longtime public figure and a former talk-radio host , he 's good at the sort of verbal jousting required in a debate .
Pence scored a clear victory over then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton 's running mate , Sen. Tim Kaine , in their debate in 2016 , polls showed .
But he may be forced to play defense against Harris , a former prosecutor , who showed in the Democratic primary that she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There 's a gendered element here .
It 's typically the female candidate who will bring the most aggression to the stage to show she 's up for it , '' McKinney said .
`` The expectation is on her to pick apart this rosy picture Pence wants us all to imagine . ''
Pence can take advantage of the format With Trump away from the campaign trail , Pence is being forced to pick up the slack -- an enormous task given recent polls showing Biden 's lead over the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls .
The format of Wednesday night 's debate is likely to work in Pence 's favor , however .
`` The vice presidential debate has always been more of a discussion and less of a podium battle than the top of the ticket debates , '' McKinney said .
`` This works in Pence 's favor , because that 's his style . ''
Hewing to VP debate tradition , Pence and Harris will be seated at tables on Wednesday night .
The Commission on Presidential Debates , as part of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two contenders more than 12 feet apart .
There will be no handshake between the candidates , or with the moderator , USA Today 's Susan Page .
The commission also announced this week that there will be a plexiglass wall between them -- a decision that reportedly prompted Pence 's team to raise objections .
On Wednesday night , Pence needs to reassure voters that the chaos engulfing the White House is temporary , McKinney said .
Harris does n't need to defend her record

Kamala Harris and Mike Pence Reuters
Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris will lock horns in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night in their first and only debate of the 2020 campaign. But the coronavirus will cast a shadow over the show. With less than four weeks until Election Day, the pandemic's presence looms larger than ever over the nation, and the political fortunes of incumbent President Donald Trump and his rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. More than 211,000 people in the U.S. have died from Covid-19 this year, and millions more have lost their livelihoods amid pandemic shutdowns and economic stagnation. Those infected include Trump, 74, who revealed on Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus after he spent months downplaying the severity of the deadly virus. Trump was hospitalized the next three days at Walter Reed medical center undergoing aggressive treatment. During that same 72 hours, more than a dozen White House aides and Republican lawmakers announced they, too, had tested positive for the virus. Pence and Harris will take the stage just two days after Trump was discharged from the hospital and into the care of White House physicians. Pence has tested negative for the virus, but as a precaution, he and Harris will be more than 12 feet apart and separated by plexiglass. The 90-minute debate will be held in Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah, starting at 9 p.m. ET. The event will be livestreamed on CNBC.com and will air on White House pool networks. Here's what Pence and Harris each need to do:
Pence has to shine in the spotlight
The president's hospitalization has drastically changed the dynamic of the debate, said Mitchell McKinney, director of the Political Communication Institute at the University of Missouri and an expert on presidential debating. "Like many people, I initially thought most of the attention Wednesday would be focused on Harris, but in the past week so much has changed with the president in the hospital," McKinney told CNBC on Tuesday. "Voters are looking at Mike Pence now with a new sense of urgency." Biden's age — 77 — had been a frequent target of the Trump campaign, which has been openly been making claims about his mental acuity and health. But Trump's diagnosis, and the urgent questions about his condition, have put more pressure on Pence to display his readiness to lead. "Both of the presidential candidates are old, and they have health issues," said Aaron Kall, director of the University of Michigan's debate program. "So are these [vice presidential] nominees ready to step in at a moment's notice? Are they experienced? Do they have a good temperament?" Kall said. "Voters at the debate are really going to be asking those questions, given the health of the two people at the top."
Harris needs to tie Pence to Trump's worst excesses
Harris may be debating Pence, but she should train her sights on Trump, as well, McKinney said. "Harris has to call into question the entire Trump operation, all the chaos. She'll take it to Mike Pence, but the case she's prosecuting is the case against Trump," he said. Pence has been among Trump's most loyal and outspoken defenders throughout his tumultuous first term. As a longtime public figure and a former talk-radio host, he's good at the sort of verbal jousting required in a debate. Pence scored a clear victory over then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine, in their debate in 2016, polls showed. But he may be forced to play defense against Harris, a former prosecutor, who showed in the Democratic primary that she was willing to go on the attack. "There's a gendered element here. It's typically the female candidate who will bring the most aggression to the stage to show she's up for it," McKinney said. "The expectation is on her to pick apart this rosy picture Pence wants us all to imagine."
Pence can take advantage of the format
With Trump away from the campaign trail, Pence is being forced to pick up the slack -- an enormous task given recent polls showing Biden's lead over the president creeping into the double digits in nationwide polls. The format of Wednesday night's debate is likely to work in Pence's favor, however. "The vice presidential debate has always been more of a discussion and less of a podium battle than the top of the ticket debates," McKinney said. "This works in Pence's favor, because that's his style." Hewing to VP debate tradition, Pence and Harris will be seated at tables on Wednesday night. The Commission on Presidential Debates, as part of its slate of virus-related adjustments, will seat the two contenders more than 12 feet apart. There will be no handshake between the candidates, or with the moderator, USA Today's Susan Page. The commission also announced this week that there will be a plexiglass wall between them -- a decision that reportedly prompted Pence's team to raise objections. On Wednesday night, Pence needs to reassure voters that the chaos engulfing the White House is temporary, McKinney said.
Harris doesn't need to defend her record
In the Democratic primary debates last year, Harris was tripped up by Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who zeroed in on Harris' record as a former prosecutor. Pence might take a similar tack, by contrasting the California senator's record with the Biden campaign platform she now supports. Harris should keep herself out of that position, Kall said. "She really doesn't have to defend her record," Kall said. As Biden's running mate, her job "is to support the person at the top of the ticket. So her position is the position of Joe Biden."
Pence should deliver the 'Trojan Horse'