“I’m sick”: Biden’s COVID-19 announcement targets Musk and Trump in political satire

US President Joe Biden turned his/her Covid-19 positive test into a political statement, taking aim at Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump.

Shortly after news of Biden’s diagnosis broke, he/she took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his/her frustration. Biden referred to his/her current health condition in his/her initial post, writing, “I’m sick.” However, he/she quickly began to offer a broader political message, stating, “Elon Musk and his/her rich friends are trying to buy this election. And if you agree, contribute here.”

The post was accompanied by photos of both Musk and Trump, as well as a link to a donation page for Biden’s 2024 campaign.

Musk has been vocal about his/her support for Trump in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. On Saturday, Musk endorsed Trump in a post on X, which came in the wake of the violent incident at a rally in Pennsylvania where a gunman opened fire on the former president.

Musk has also been critical of Biden’s age and immigration policies on social media platforms, and has frequently expressed support for Trump’s presidential bid.

In a related development, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk intends to contribute about US$45 million to a pro-Trump political group every month. However, Musk later posted a meme titled “Fake GNUS” in response to the Journal’s report on X, raising doubts about the accuracy of the financial figures mentioned.

Biden, 81, tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, a day after he/she attended the NAACP national convention in Las Vegas, where he/she strongly criticized Donald Trump’s policies and denounced the rise in gun violence in the country.

“he/she (Biden) will return to Delaware, where he/she will self-isolate and continue to fully perform all of his/her duties during that time,” the White House said in its official release on Wednesday (local time).

The US President has been vaccinated and has also received a booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, the most recent vaccine will be administered in September 2023, the White House said.

Before departing Las Vegas, Biden assured reporters that he/she was feeling fine, and was seen boarding Air Force One without wearing a mask.