Charlie Gard has been diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. British courts ruled that he should no longer receive life support, since doctors said Charlie had a zero chance of survival. | Family of Charlie Gard via AP Trump offers help to terminally ill U.K. boy

President Donald Trump on Monday offered to help a 10-month-old boy in the U.K. who is suffering from a rare genetic condition.

Charlie Gard received international attention after a series of legal battles by his parents on whether he should continue receiving life support. He has been diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. British courts ruled that he should no longer receive life support, since doctors said Charlie had a zero chance of survival.


His parents held out hope, however, that Charlie could possibly receive an experimental treatment currently being tested in the United States. Trump tweeted Monday morning that he would be “delighted” to help the infant in any way possible, and his declaration of support followed a similar message from the pope hours earlier.

“If we can help little #CharlieGard, as per our friends in the U.K. and the Pope, we would be delighted to do so,” the president tweeted.

Following Trump’s message using the hashtag #CharlieGard, people on Twitter started using #Trump4Charlie, saying that the president could possibly save the infant’s life. Others were also using it as an opportunity to bash the Senate health care bill, which they say would not offer such humane treatment to Americans.

The hashtag #CharlieGard received over 8,000 mentions on Twitter on Monday morning.

Helen Ferre, director of White House media affairs, said Trump offered to help Gard’s family, but the hospital and doctor remain unnamed due to legal issues.

“Although the President himself has not spoken to the family, he does not want to pressure them in any way, members of the administration have spoken to the family in calls facilitated by the British government,” Ferre said. “The President is just trying to be helpful if at all possible.”