CNN reported in October that when Trump was flown to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he not only had trouble breathing, but received supplemental oxygen. Trump “definitely had oxygen,” the knowledgeable source told CNN.
The former president’s doctor, Dr. Sean Conley, commented on the matter at the time, saying that Trump “is not currently taking oxygen”. When asked if Trump had received him, Conley did not respond directly, saying, “He didn’t need any this morning, today.” Asked if he ever took supplemental oxygen as part of his treatment with Covid-19, Conley said, “At the moment, he is not,” adding, “Yesterday and today, he was not taking oxygen.”
The New York Times also reported that Trump had “pulmonary infiltrates,” which occur when the lungs are inflamed and contain substances like fluids or bacteria. Their presence, especially when a patient has other symptoms, can be a sign of an acute case of the disease. They can be easily identified on an X-ray or scan, when parts of the lungs appear opaque or white. “
The Times added that Trump’s oxygen level dropped to the 1980s. Conley was repeatedly evasive to reporters about his condition and whether he was receiving oxygen, only telling reporters after his levels recovered that they were never “below 80” .
Mark Meadows, who was Trump’s chief of staff at the White House, met with reporters after an optimistic medical briefing delivered by Conley and told them privately: “The president’s vital signs in the past 24 hours have been very worrying and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of your care. We are not yet on a clear path to a full recovery. ”