COVID-19

Herman Cain, a former pizza company executive turned Republican presidential contender, died Thursday morning almost a month after he was hospitalized with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Cain's death — which was first reported by the conservative website Newsmax, where Cain hosted a show — was confirmed on his official website soon after. “You're never ready for the kind of news we are grappling with this morning," website editor Dan Calabrese wrote. "But we have no choice but to seek and find God's strength and comfort to deal." "Herman Cain has gone to be with the Lord." President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he had telephoned Cain's family to express his condolences. "Herman had an incredible career and was adored by everyone that ever met him, especially me," Trump tweeted. "He was a very special man, an American Patriot, and great friend." "I believe these words came from the Pokémon movie," Cain told fans as he bid farewell. "Life can be a challenge. Life can seem impossible. It’s never easy when there’s so much on the line. But you and I can make a difference. There’s a mission just for you and me.”