The situation with the infection of Trump vs Coronavirus caused a stir and even some kind of restart of the presidential race: experts began to make active assumptions about how this event would affect its outcome. On the one hand, theories emerged that members of the democratic party – opponents of a suspiciously quickly recovered candidate – could use his illness to increase their chances of winning.
It could harm the interests of Republicans, for example, by spreading unfavourable information and accusing Trump of negligence for the pandemic that took the lives of thousands of Americans, and even more so by keeping quiet about the results of his first COVID test. Oil is being poured into the fire and it appeared on Fox News during his illness, and information that the President coughed up moments from previous recordings has been cut out.
Democrats do not stop there and put forward stunning theories – according to the same Fox News report, Senator Chris Murphy said that while the Republican candidate is on “sick leave”, the position of acting head of Trump’s administration will be taken over by none other than Vladimir Putin. However, the same person is actively arguing that Russia’s strategy for intervening in the U.S. elections is “much larger, bolder and more thoughtful than in 2016”. It is not surprising.
However, Trump, having been caught on the line of his own negligence, was not in a very advantageous position, because now, observing the quarantine regime, he will have to isolate himself for at least two weeks, which threatens his campaign activities.
On the other hand, a quick recovery thanks to experimental therapy, which, according to sources, could cost more than $100,000, could well be a symbol of victory in an election race, for several reasons. Firstly, experience shows that the ratings of politicians are growing against the backdrop of speculation about their critical condition (remember Boris Johnson, who took as much as 18 extra percent of his rating during his illness with the same COVID). Secondly, the image of a strong president who recovered quickly and defeated the main enemy of 2020 is exactly in line with his strategy “Make America Great Again”. What’s more, Trump has proven to be a pioneer whose courage can influence the future implementation of the therapy that doctors have applied to him. Most Americans agree that Trump’s return to the White House is a demonstration of his strength.
One way or another, Trump has shown his ability to fight both his opponents and the virus, and while his rival Biden is at home, the Republican is not giving up and winning. And, obviously, he will also try to learn from his mistakes and, if he wins, take full and adequate steps to resolve the epidemiological crisis.
Polina Bobko