Coronavirus in the White House: Who in Trump’s inner circle has been tested?
News that Donald Trump is being treated in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus has upended the US presidential race.
The president announced early on Friday that he has contracted the potentially deadly virus, along with first lady Melania.
The White House Supreme Court nomination ceremony – held in the Rose Garden last Saturday – is being eyed as a possible superspreader event. Below is a list of those closest to President Trump and their coronavirus status.
POSITIVE
Melania Trump
The first lady was revealed to have tested positive at the same time as her husband. “I am looking forward to a speedy recovery,” she wrote on Twitter, adding ”I have mild symptoms but I feel overall fine."
Hope Hicks
The 31-year-old presidential advisor reportedly first felt ill during a campaign trip to Minnesota.
Bill Stepien
Mr Trump’s campaign manager tested positive on Friday evening and is, according to officials, said to be experiencing “mild flu-like symptoms”.
Kellyanne Conway
The former White House advisor tweeted on Friday night that she has tested positive. “My symptoms are mild (light cough) and I'm feeling fine,” she wrote. "As always, my heart is with everyone affected by this global pandemic."
Senator Mike Lee
The Republican from Utah announced he had tested positive on Friday morning but appeared keen to dismiss suggestions that nominee event – in which he was seen hugging people without a mask – was to blame. He emphasised he had tested negative since that ceremony.
Senator Thom Tillis
The Republican from North Carolina announced on Friday that he had contracted the illness. “Thankfully, I have no symptoms and I feel well,” he said in a statement.
Ronna McDaniel
The chairwoman of the Republican National Committee revealed she had the illness on Friday but said she had contracted it from a family member and been at home in Michigan since last Saturday.
John Jenkins
Not exactly a member of Mr Trump’s inner circle but the president of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana was at the Rose Garden ceremony last Saturday because it was one of his professors, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, being nominated. He has since tested positive but says he caught the illness from a colleague.
Ron Johnson
Senator Ron Johnson, of Wisconsin, has tested positive for Covid-19, his spokesperson said.
Johnson was not at the Amy Coney Barrett ceremony as he was quarantining from a prior exposure, during which he twice tested negative for the virus, said the spokesperson.
He was reportedly again exposed “shortly after” returning to Washington, DC, on 29 September and was tested Friday afternoon.
Chris Christie
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie confirmed via Twitter that he has tested positive for coronavirus. Christie helped the president prepare for Tuesday’s debate. He Tweeted: “I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask how I was feeling in the last day or two. I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition.”
NEGATIVE
Donald Trump Jr
Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, confirmed he tested negative for the virus and said his father was taking his diagnosis seriously, but that his hospitalisation is “cautionary” and that Trump will continue to work.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, confirmed that she too had tested negative. Donald Jr said: “Ivanka and jared tested negative… The rest of the family seems to be holding up great.”
Eric Trump
Trump’s other son Eric and his wife Laura also got tested upon the news with their results coming back negative.
Jason Miller
Trump’s campaign strategist revealed he had tested negative for the virus. Miller was one of Trump’s entourage spotted not wearing a mask while getting off Trump’s plane en route to the debate on Thursday.
Justin Clark
Deputy Campaign Manager Justin Clark tested negative for coronavirus and is expected to help oversee the rest of the election campaign in their headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.
Joe Biden
The Democrat candidate took a test as he came into contact at the election debate on Tuesday.
Kamala Harris
The Democrat vice-presidential nominee tested negative and says she wishes the president a swift recovery.
Mike Pence
Vice President Pence and his wife Karen Pence both tested negative for the virus, a spokesperson announced. Pence will reportedly take on a more active role in the campaign and represent him at events.
Nancy Pelosi
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tested negative on Friday, her deputy chief of staff tweeted.
The California Democrat was tested following her meeting earlier this week with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to discuss a potential stimulus bill. Mr Mnuchin had met with Mr Trump prior to their meeting.
Amy Coney Barrett
Trump’s Supreme Court nominee tested negative for Covid-19 on Friday, according to the White House.
Mike Meadows
The White House Chief of Staff tested negative for coronavirus. Meadows broke the news to reporters on Friday that the president was experiencing “mild symptoms."
AWAITING RESULTS
Rudy Giuliani
A spokeswoman for Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and President Trump’s lawyer, said he is awaiting test results and in the meantime he has begun the quarantine process.
Lachlan Murdoch
Nearly a dozen cases have been reportedly tied to the televised debate between Trump and Joe Biden. Sean Hannity, Chris Wallace, Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum are among the on-air personalities believed to be getting tested. Lachlan Murdoch, executive chairman of the Fox Corporation, is awaiting results.
Stephen Miller
White House advisor Stephen Miller is awaiting his results after travelling with the president. Miller’s wife, the vice-president’s press secretary, has recently recovered from the coronavirus.
