Pneumonia diagnosis fuels questions about Clinton’s health

“There’s no other undisclosed condition. The pneumonia is the extent of it,” Fallon said, in an interview with MSNBC.

But less than two months from Election Day, it was a problematic visual for Clinton as she tries to project the vigor needed for one of the world’s most demanding jobs.

Clinton’s team tried to address some of the criticism on Monday morning, arguing that Clinton wanted to keep her full schedule and the fault for the lack of information rested with her staff.

“In retrospect, we could have handled it better,” Fallon said. He said that was the staff’s responsibility and “we regret that.”

No longer can Trump’s questions about Clinton’s physical stamina be summarily dismissed. The episode was also sure to fuel a vocal group of online conspiracy theorists, deemed “healthers” by some Clinton supporters, who point to videos and photos of Clinton as evidence of her poor health.

In phone-in television interviews Monday morning, Trump was uncharacteristically subdued about Clinton’s health issues. On CNBC, he said he takes no satisfaction from her problems. On Fox News, he said he hopes “she gets well and gets back on the trail and we’ll be seeing her at the debate.” The first of three debates is scheduled for Sept. 26.

Trump also said he had a physical last week and will release detailed health information when he gets the results, which are expected in coming days. “I think they’re going to be good. I feel great,” he said on “Fox and Friends.”

Both candidates have so far released only limited health records.

The incident compounds a difficult time for Clinton as the race enters its final stretch. Despite Trump’s numerous missteps, the race remains close and many Americans view Clinton as untrustworthy.

On Friday, Clinton told donors that “half” of Trump’s supporters are in a “basket of deplorables” — a comment that drew sharp criticism from Republicans. Clinton later said she regretted applying that description to “half” of Trump’s backers, but stuck by her assertion that the he has given a platform to “hateful views and voices.”

Trump on Monday called Clinton’s remarks “the biggest mistake of the political season.” On Fox, he said that being elected to the White House means: “You’re the president of all the people.”

On Sunday, Clinton left the 9/11 memorial an hour earlier than planned. She had spent about 90 minutes standing with other dignitaries in the sun on a warm and humid day.

Her departure was not witnessed by the reporters who travel with her campaign. Aides provided no information about why she left or her whereabouts for nearly two hours. Clinton’s spokesman Nick Merrill eventually said Clinton had gone to her daughter’s nearby apartment, but refused to say whether she had required medical attention.

Clinton exited the apartment on her own, wearing sunglasses and carrying a handbag. She waved to reporters and said, “I’m feeling great. It’s a beautiful day in New York.” She was then driven to her home in Chappaqua, New York.

Bardack said in the statement Sunday evening that Clinton has had an allergy-related cough, and that during an exam on Friday, was diagnosed with pneumonia, put on antibiotics, and advised to rest and modify her schedule.

Fallon said Clinton felt fine soon after the incident, saying she called aides from her car and played with her grandchildren at her daughter’s apartment. Others at the campaign have been ill recently, he said, attributing the sickness to the grueling pace of the campaign.

Unlikely previous presidential candidates, both Clinton and Trump have opted not to travel with what’s known as the “protective pool” — a small group of journalists that follow the candidate everywhere.

The goal is to keep the public informed about their condition, whereabouts and official interactions at all times. For a president, who always travels with a protective pool, an hours-long gap without knowledge of their whereabouts could spark unrest in the financial markets and international concern.

Trump and his supporters have hinted at Clinton’s potential health issues for months, questioning her energy when she takes routine days off the campaign trail and reviving questions about a concussion she sustained in 2012 after fainting. Her doctor attributed that episode to a stomach virus and dehydration.

Doctors said Sunday that pneumonia is commonly treated quickly and effectively with antibiotics. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, said that based on the available information, “this should not in any way impede her function going forward.”