Concerns about the President’s possible exposure to the virus.
A member of the US Navy who serves as one of President D. Trump personal valets has tested positive for COVID 19,
President Trump said to the Press today, that he and Vice President Mike Pence, as well as all the White House staff, would be tested every day for COVID 19, after the aforementioned military aide who has had contact with him, was tested positive for COVID 19.
Deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement today
“We were recently notified by the White House Medical Unit that a member of the United States Military, who works on the White House campus, has tested positive for Coronavirus… The President and the Vice President have since tested negative for the virus and they remain in great health.”
The President was upset when he was informed yesterday, that the valet had tested positive. The President was subsequently tested again by the White House physician.
A White House source said that the valet, a man who has not been identified, exhibited “symptoms” Wednesday morning, and said the news that someone close to the president had tested positive for COVID 19 was “hitting the fan” in the West Wing.
The valets are members of an elite military unit dedicated to the White House and often work very close to the President and first family. Valets assist the President and his family with a variety of personal tasks. They are responsible for the President’s food and beverage not only in the West Wing but also travel with him when he’s on the road or out of the country. Past presidents have relied on them not only for these matters, but also as confidants.
Later today, Trump told reporters, he would be tested daily, saying there were “a number of days missed” between when the valet was last tested and when the valet discovered he had COVID 19. The President also said he’d had “very little personal contact” with the member of the US Navy who serves as one of President D. Trump’s personal valets man.
Sources: – NYT – CNN – NY FAMA – Inside Edition – CBS –
Cover Photo by: Donald Trump
By Alex Ammohostianos
