The editor-in-chief at one of China's state-controlled media outlets appeared to mock President Donald Trump for contracting the coronavirus.

In a tweet Friday, Hu Xijin of the Global Times said:

"President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the COVID-19. The news shows the severity of the US' pandemic situation. It will impose a negative impact on the image of Trump and the US, and may also negatively affect his reelection."

Trump was said to be experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms as of Friday morning, according to a report. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen tested negative for the virus.

The pandemic originated in Wuhan, China, late last year and has since infected 34.5 million people and killed more than 1 million people worldwide.

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