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MSNBC host Joy Reid called President Donald Trump a "sick elderly man" on Tuesday and compared him to Herman Cain, who died of Covid-19.

The leftist host questioned the president's triumphant return to on Monday – just 72 hours after he was admitted to  hospital in .

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President Donald Trump, who was airlifted back to the White House on Monday, was slammed by leftist host Joy Reid
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President Donald Trump, who was airlifted back to the White House on Monday, was slammed by leftist host Joy ReidCredit: EPA
'He was trying to look like a tough guy but he looked, quite frankly, like a very sick elderly man,' Reid said
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'He was trying to look like a tough guy but he looked, quite frankly, like a very sick elderly man,' Reid saidCredit: Getty Images - Getty
She compared Trump to Herman Cain, who was said to be recovering before he passed away in July
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She compared Trump to Herman Cain, who was said to be recovering before he passed away in JulyCredit: AP:Associated Press

"He was trying to look like a tough guy but he looked, quite frankly, like a very sick elderly man with a lot of makeup on," Reid said. "That's what he looked like to my eye."

Although , 74, and his physician Dr Sean Conley said he is feeling better, Reid compared him to – a candidate in the 2000 presidential – who was the same age when he lost his virus battle.

The late GOP member tested positive for Covid-19 after in Tulsa this summer and was diagnosed on July 2.

Reid noted that he was said to be recovering between July 10 and July 27 but . 

Reid claimed Trump was sicker than he was letting on
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Reid claimed Trump was sicker than he was letting onCredit: MSNBC
Dr Conley said Trump is now fever-free
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Dr Conley said Trump is now fever-freeCredit: Kayleigh McEnany
'He ended up dying,' Reid said of Cain's coronavirus death
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'He ended up dying,' Reid said of Cain's coronavirus deathCredit: AP:Associated Press

"He kept saying he was feeling better. I'm sure at some point maybe his doctor, I don't know, sent him home, thought he was fine but he ended up dying," she said during the show.

"Donald Trump made a video saying, 'People should not be afraid of the coronavirus.'

"That tweet was considered so egregious that even and took down his statement because it is false."

"How much danger is Donald Trump in – a few days into his coronavirus prognosis – and how much danger are his staff in?" Reid asked her panelists.

MSNBC's medical contributor Lipi Roy answered that "he's in the most infectious period right now. He should be in isolation, which means none of these photo-op nonsense gigs."

Trump stands on the Blue Room Balcony as Marine One takes off from the South Lawn of the White House
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Trump stands on the Blue Room Balcony as Marine One takes off from the South Lawn of the White HouseCredit: Getty Images - Getty
He waved to the photographers as he arrived home
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He waved to the photographers as he arrived homeCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Reid also echoed comments made by MSNBC journalist Rachel Maddow, who said when he greeted photographers from the South Portico terrace on Monday.

Reid said he "appeared to be laboring in his breathing" and "put his hand on his diaphragm, like he was wincing in pain."

The day before, Maddow had described Trump's home from hospital as an “unnerving spectacle of the president really, visibly appearing to struggle for breath."

She accused him of staging "a kind of performative return that may have tried to be a sort of triumphant ‘I beat the virus’ thing with Marine One landing right next to the White House."

Footage appeared to show Trump struggling to breathe but his physician said he is continuing to improve
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Footage appeared to show Trump struggling to breathe but his physician said he is continuing to improveCredit: AP:Associated Press
A Secret Service agent and staffer hold the doors for Trump as he exits Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday
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A Secret Service agent and staffer hold the doors for Trump as he exits Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on MondayCredit: Reuters

However, Conley has since released a statement saying on Wednesday.

The medic said Trump was fever-free for more than four days, symptom-free for over 24 hours, and hasn't required supplemental oxygen since being hospitalized.

Trump has said he will participate in the October 15 debate against Dem rival Biden .

Trump did urge Americans to be cautious and careful as he prepares to get back on the campaign trail with just four weeks to go until the .

"Get out there, be careful," he said in a video posted shortly after his arrival in DC.

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"We have the best medicines in the world, and it’ll all happen very shortly. And they’re all getting approved and the vaccines are coming momentarily."

The infection  since his top aide  fell ill last week, with First Lady  and White House Press Secretary  both testing positive.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said the president was 'gasping for air, huffing and puffing'
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MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said the president was 'gasping for air, huffing and puffing'Credit: MSNBC
Trump gestures from the Truman Balcony after returning to the White House on Monday evening
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Trump gestures from the Truman Balcony after returning to the White House on Monday eveningCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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