Mitt Romney says he tested negative for the coronavirus. Donald Trump mocked the news.
"I am so happy I can barely speak."
Sen. Mitt Romney announced Tuesday that he had tested negative for COVID-19, and President Donald Trump says he is overjoyed by the news.
“This is really great news!” Trump wrote Wednesday morning in a tweet that quickly turned sarcastic, mocking the former Massachusetts governor-turned-Utah senator.
“I am so happy I can barely speak,” the president continued. “He may have been a terrible presidential candidate and an even worse U.S. Senator, but he is a RINO, and I like him a lot!”
This is really great news! I am so happy I can barely speak. He may have been a terrible presidential candidate and an even worse U.S. Senator, but he is a RINO, and I like him a lot! https://t.co/42zpWW9vzy
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 25, 2020
A fellow Republican, Romney has been one of the few prominent members of the party willing to vocally criticize Trump, though the 73-year-old senator usually votes in line with the president. He was also the only Republican to vote to convict Trump during his Senate impeachment trial last month.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people over the age of 65 have the highest risk of dying due to the new coronavirus.
Romney’s office announced Sunday that the senator was self-quarantining after having sat next to Sen. Rand Paul, who recently tested positive for COVID-19. While he was not showing symptoms, Romney was tested for the disease and announced Tuesday afternoon that the results were negative. Still, consistent with CDC guidelines for those exposed to the virus, Romney said he would continue to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Thankfully I’ve tested negative for COVID-19. Nevertheless, guidance from my physician, consistent with the CDC guidelines, requires me to remain in quarantine as the test does not rule out the onset of symptoms during the 14-day period.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) March 24, 2020
Trump first learned that Romney and several other Republican senators were self-quarantining during a coronavirus press briefing Sunday. His reaction was similar.
“Romney’s in isolation,” the president said. “Gee, that’s too bad.”
Asked if his remarks were laced with a hint of sarcasm, Trump said they were not.
“None whatsoever,” he added.
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