Trump Says He’s Been Taking Hydroxychloroquine To Protect Himself From Coronavirus [Video]

United States’ President, Donald Trump said Monday that he has been taking anti-malaria drug ‘hydroxychloroquine’ for over a week to prevent coronavirus infection even though it is not yet a proven treatment.

President Trump was hosting a meeting devoted to the struggling restaurant industry on Monday, when he caught reporters unawares by revealing he started taking the malaria and lupus medication recently.

“I’m taking it, hydroxychloroquine. Right now, yeah. Couple of weeks ago, I started taking it. Cause I think it’s good, I’ve heard a lot of good stories [about hydroxychloroquine] and if it’s not good, I’ll tell you right I’m not going to get hurt by it… I take a pill every day now and I’m still here, I’m still here,” he said.

“You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it, especially the frontline workers before you catch it, the frontline workers, many, many are taking it,” he told reporters. “I happen to be taking it.”

When asked what was his evidence of hydroxychloroquine’s positive benefits, Mr Trump said: “Here’s my evidence: I get a lot of positive calls about it.”

Trump said his doctor did not recommend the drug to him, but he requested it from the White House physician.

Watch the video below:

No. Please don’t take malaria tablets if you have Coronavirus symptoms. #Hydroxychloroquine https://t.co/gpnK0x7AEN

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) May 19, 2020

KanyiDaily recalls that President Trump had approved chloroquine for treatment of coronavirus saying the drug had shown ‘tremendous promise’ in treating Covid-19, which has killed more than 80,000 Americans.

However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month issued an advisory saying that hydroxychloroquine has “not been shown to be safe and effective”.

Trump’s misguided revelation despite expert warnings has become a topic of mockery on Twitter, where critics couldn’t stop taking digs at the US President.

My "truth sandwich" lede:

There's no evidence that hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug, protects against the Coronavirus. President Trump said today he's taking it, but his doctor would not confirm that, and medical experts have said it could have dangerous side effects.

— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) May 19, 2020

Dear Trump,

I don’t like you. In fact, I consider you to be my enemy. And I’m rooting for Joe Biden to beat you in November.

But as a doctor, I sincerely care about your health. Hydroxychloroquine can really hurt you, and I urge you to stop taking it.

Sincerely,
Your Reply Guy

— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) May 19, 2020

Raise your hand if you think that Trump is lying about taking #Hydroxychloroquine 👋

— Peter Morley (@morethanmySLE) May 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/RogueSNRadvisor/status/1262582085388140544

Trump says he’s taking Hydroxychloroquine. It’s a leading story today. He often acts like a toddler, but he’s an adult. If he wants to take a drug w/serious side effects, including causing heart and kidney issues, let him!

If he wants to wash it down with Lysol, that’s fine too.

— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) May 19, 2020

Donald Trump just forced his military physician to produce a letter, which seems carefully worded to give the impression Trump is taking #Hydroxychloroquine without actually saying it.

No doubt, half the American population are hoping that this may actually be true.

— Katy (@KatyJayne101) May 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/redneckviews/status/1262737595534114817?s=20

Either Trump's doctor is lying about Trump taking #Hydroxychloroquine or he really did prescribe it to the President. Either way, he needs to be stripped of his medical license. What happened to "first do no harm?" https://t.co/vUOExP29ik

— Sara Spector (@Miriam2626) May 19, 2020

I'm sick to my stomach about what Trump did today to promote #Hydroxychloroquine

There's already a shortage of this medication available to the patients with auto-immune who need it.

I am one of those patients.

The stress has been savage.

What does Trump have VESTED in this?

— Peter Morley (@morethanmySLE) May 19, 2020

Just because someone says they are taking #Hydroxychloroquine and it’s “confirmed” by their chosen loyal doctor does not mean they are taking it.

Because I don’t believe a word out of his mouth or his doctors.

Not. One. Word. Of. Truth. Comes. Out. Of. His. Mouth.

— Mr. Spock 🖖 (Commentary) (@SpockResists) May 19, 2020

No. Please don’t take malaria tablets if you have Coronavirus symptoms. #Hydroxychloroquine https://t.co/gpnK0x7AEN

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) May 19, 2020

I've spent the last 3 years fighting for your health care in DC.

Despite having 10+ pre-existing conditions, including Lupus.

I depend on #hydroxychloroquine to live.

Trump's shameless promotion of this drug for Covid-19 puts MILLIONS of Americans at risk of a shortage.

— Peter Morley (@morethanmySLE) May 19, 2020