A new book reveals the inside story of the Trump administration's pandemic response and the president's own battle with COVID-19
White House officials feared President Trump would not survive COVID-19, according to a new book that details the efforts made by aides to cut corners in accessing experimental drugs.
At the time, officials insisted the president was admitted to Walter Reed National Medical Military Center 'out of an abundance of caution.'
But 'Nightmare Scenario: Inside the Trump Administration’s Response to the Pandemic That Changed History,' by Washington Post reporters Damian Paletta and Yasmeen Abutaleb, paints a different picture.
It reveals that at least two of those briefed on the president's condition during that weekend last October feared that he 'wouldn't make it out of Walter Reed.'
And people close to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said he was 'consumed with fear' that Trump might die.
The book details how the president's condition spiralled downward, with a spiking fever and his blood oxygen dipping dangerously below 90 percent. He was given oxygen while still at the White House.
An unorthodox operation was already under way to ensure the president was getting the very best available treatment.
Donald Trump made a theatrical return to the White House after being released from Walter Reed National Medical Military Center after a three-day stay in October when he fell badly ill with COVID-19. Aides feared he 'wouldn't make it out' of the hospital and his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, reportedly was 'consumed with fear' he would die
Trump took off his mask and gave a double thumbs up when he arrived back at the White House. Onlookers were horrified that he entered the residence without a mask
Aides appealed directly to Trump's FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn for 'compassionate use' authorization for experimental monoclonal antibody treatment. he consulted with his officials, according to the new account. 'The FDA needs to go by the book, the officials insisted. Hahn relayed the message back to the White House,' it continued. 'They kept pressing him to effectively cut corners'
An excerpt published in the Washington Post revealed that Trump's aides appealed directly to Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, for permission to
