Trump accused of racism when thanking Boris Johnson for his support after Covid diagnosis

Donald Trump has been criticised for using a racist term when thanking Boris Johnson for his support during his battle with coronavirus.

Both world leaders have had well-documented positive tests for coronavirus this year, with Johnson being hospitalised for a significant amount of time during the pandemic.

Trump, who only tested positive for Covid-19 last week, spent just a few days in hospital before returning to the White House where he has since speculated that he could be 'immune.'

In a tweet posted by the president on Wednesday evening, Trump said that he had just spoken to Johnson and that he was 'very thankful for his friendship and support as I recovered from the China Virus.'

Trump has been using phrases like 'China virus' and 'Wuhan flu' since the start of the pandemic as a way of blaming China for the spread of the disease. Many have criticised Trump for using 'racist language' but the president has defended himself by saying that "it's not racist because China is where the virus came from."

The fact that Trump has continued to use this term and has now used it in a tweet where he has also tagged the British prime minister has predictably caused further outrage.

We also shouldn't forget what Johnson has said about Trump in the past.

The contrast between Johnson and Trump's response to coronavirus has been clear.

Although Johnson has been criticised for some aspects of the UK's reaction to the pandemic, he did take a two-week break from his duties as prime minister and even hired a personal trainer, recently admitting that he thought he was 'fat.'

In comparison, Trump has said that he 'feels better than he did 20 years ago' but has also put others at risk by having secret service agents to drive him so he could wave at supporters outside the Walter Reed Medical Centre in Maryland.

The president also made a show of tearing off his face mask on the Truman Balcony of the White House when he returned from hospital on Monday, an act which saw him compared to Benito Mussolini.