Nine Questions for the White House Physician on the President’s Use of Hydroxychloroquine:
1. Sean Conley, the chief White House physician, states that he has
discussed hydroxychloroquine with Trump without explicitly saying that
he has prescribed the medication. Is Trump’s statement that he is taking
the drug true?
2. If it is not true that Trump’s is taking the drug, why has Dr.
Conley lied in violation of FDA guidelines, medical standards, ethics
and professionalism? Who instructed or encouraged him to lie?
3. The 25th Amendment was passed in part because the White House
physician for President Franklin D. Roosevelt covered up his
debilitating heart disease. Is Dr. Conley violating the spirit of that
constitutional amendment?
4. What is the complete medical record of Donald Trump that might put
him at risk of dangerous side effects in taking the drug? More
specifically, does Trump have any history of heart trouble or disease,
or any other medical condition that would make it dangerous for him to
take this drug?
5. Conley’s memo states: “After numerous discussions…we concluded the
potential benefit from the treatment outweighed the relative risks.”
The use of “we” in this sentence is notable. Is Dr. Conley saying that
he would not have recommended use of the drug? In other words, is Dr.
Conley hiding that Trump’s views outweighed the physician’s sound
medical advice of the risks? Why did it take numerous discussions?
6. If it is true that Trump is taking this drug, why has Dr. Conley
knowingly prescribed a drug that the FDA and other authorities have
determined is potentially fatal, and, moreover, whose beneficial effects
on treating COVID-19 are unproven? Why has Dr. Conley prescribed a drug
possibly risking the life of the president and in violation of FDA
guidelines, medical standards, ethics, and professionalism?
7. The drug, in any case, even though unproven, according to its
unscientific advocates is supposed to be given only to those suffering
from COVID-19, not as a prophylactic. Does Trump have COVID-19?
8. Whether Dr. Conley has told the truth or lied–either way–will his
actions be reviewed and held to account by the Department of Defense
given that he is a military officer? Will he be brought before
appropriate state medical boards that licensed him?
9. Medical researchers have concluded
that hydroxychloroquine may cause neuropsychiatric symptoms, “including
agitation, insomnia, confusion, mania, hallucinations, paranoia,
depression, catatonia, psychosis, and suicidal ideation.” Has Dr. Conley
properly assessed his patient, President Trump, for his
susceptibility to these symptoms? Since Trump has been taking the drug
has Dr. Conley observed that it has produced or exacerbated any of these
symptoms in President Trump?
