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Boris Johnson: Donald Trump says Americans are 'praying' for PM's recovery

  • President says Americans are “praying” for Johnson’s recovery after prime minister goes into intensive care

  • Trump suggests US companies have contacted Johnson’s doctors with a view to helping with his treatment

  • Numerous world leaders wish Johnson well after coronavirus symptoms worsen

Donald Trump was among the world leaders to wish Boris Johnson well on Monday night after the UK prime minister was moved to intensive care after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.

The US president said he was “saddened” to hear of Johnson’s condition and that “Americans are praying for his recovery”.

Trump said at a White House news conference: “I also want to send best wishes to a very good friend of mine, and a friend to our nation, prime minister Boris Johnson, who I’m very saddened to hear was taken into intensive care this afternoon, a little while ago.

“Americans are all praying for his recovery, he’s been a really good friend.

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“He’s been something very special: strong, resolute, doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up.”

Trump then appeared to suggest US companies have “contacted Boris’s doctors” and are “ready” to help with his treatment.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) and US President Donald Trump during the annual Nato heads of government summit at The Grove hotel in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Donald Trump suggested American companies have contacted Boris Johnson's doctors regarding his treatment. (PA)

He said: “We have made tremendous progress on therapeutics. I had a fantastic call today. I’ve asked two of the leading companies, these are brilliant companies – ebola, AIDS, others, they have come with the solutions and have done incredible jobs – to contact London immediately.

“They have offices in London. They are major companies. They are genius. I had a talk with four of them today and they speak a language most people don’t understand. But I understand something: they have really advanced therapeutics and therapeutically.

US President Donald Trump speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on April 6, 2020, in Washington, DC. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump at the White House press conference on Monday. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

“They have arrived in London already. The London office has whatever they need and we will see if we can be of help. We have contacted all of Boris’s doctors and we’ll see what is going to take place. But they are ready to go.

“But when you get brought into intensive care, it gets very, very serious with this particular disease so the two companies are there. With what they are talking about, it is rather complex [but] has had really incredible results. We are working with London with respect to Boris Johnson.”

Meanwhile, other world figures supporting Johnson included:

Trump’s senior adviser and daughter

The director-general of the World Health Organization

The president of the EU Commission

The French president

This translates to: “All my support for Boris Johnson, his family and the British people at this difficult time. I wish him to overcome this ordeal quickly.”

The Spanish president

This translates to: “My solidarity and wishes for a speedy recovery for the Prime Minister @BorisJohnson. These are difficult days for our countries, but from strength and unity we will be able to win this battle. A hug to all the British people.”

The Canadian PM

The Irish premier