President Trump says he's been taking hydroxychloroquine 'every day' for about 10 days

• President Donald Trump revealed for the first time publicly on Monday afternoon that he has been taking the anti-Malaria drug hydroxychloroquine "every day" for a week and-a-half.
• Trump had been pushing hard for the drug during the outset of the coronavirus crisis.
• The drug's benefits have been questioned by experts, and the FDA has cautioned against taking it until complete trials show it to be safe.
• "I just want to be open with the American public," Trump said. "I think it's good."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump said for the first time Monday that he has been regularly taking the anti-Malaria drug hydroxychloroquine.

While taking questions from reporters, Trump said he has taken a hydroxychloroquine pill "every day" for a week and-a-half.

"I take it," he said. "I would've told you that 3-4 days ago but we never had a chance because you never asked me the question."

Trump said COVID-19 tests he has taken have all shown up negative, but he takes the drug because he hears "very good things."

—Daniel Dale (@ddale8) May 18, 2020

"I was just waiting to see your eyes light up when I said this, when I announced this," Trump added.

The FDA has warned against using hydroxychloroquine "outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial due to risk of heart rhythm problems." The National Institutes of Health has also advised caution when prescribing it.

Several recent studies have raised questions about the effectiveness of the drug.

Trump countered the evidence against the drug's dangers by touting anecdotal evidence.

"Here we go, you ready?" Trump said. "Here's my evidence: I get a lot of positive calls about it. The only negative I've heard was the study where they gave it — was it the VA? — with people that aren't big Trump fans ... and the results of the report — it was very unscientific, by the way — but I get a lot of tremendously positive news on the hydroxy. And I use the expression ... what do you have to lose?"

Trump ended the Q&A after speaking about taking the anti-Malaria drug in addition to zinc, citing a letter he received from a doctor in Westchester, New York as evidence for its efficacy.

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