Giuliani says he’s taking hydroxychloroquine despite testing negative for COVID-19

President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani says he is taking hydroxychloroquine despite testing negative twice for the coronavirus.

Giuliani, speaking on Bloomberg TV, was asked about his Monday interview on Fox News when he coughed several times on air as he criticized Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden for encouraging the use of face masks.

The Trump confidant, who said he was tested for the virus two hours before his Fox News appearance, tweeted Tuesday that the test came back negative. It was the second negative test for the former New York City mayor, and he said he plans to get tested again Friday.

Well, again I’m lucky because I just got back a NEGATIVE result for COVID-19.

My prayers go out to my colleagues for a swift and complete recovery!

— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) October 6, 2020

Giuliani told Bloomberg TV that while he has not tested positive for the virus, his doctor prescribed hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure. Giuliani, who called his doctor “a genius,” also said he’s taking zinc.

Trump has promoted antimalarials hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, a similar drug, as possible COVID-19 treatments, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for the drugs in March. At one point, Trump claimed he was taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure.

Since then, multiple studies have found that the drugs have no benefit against COVID-19, and the FDA revoked the emergency authorization in June due to serious safety issues.

Giuliani was among several advisers who assisted Trump with his preparation for the first presidential debate, held Sept. 29 in Cleveland. Several members among that group have since tested positive for coronavirus, including former White House counselor Kellyane Conway, White House adviser Hope Hicks and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R).

“I feel very bad for them,” Giuliani said Wednesday. “I almost feel a little guilty.”