One of Trump’s personal valets has tested positive for coronavirus

Author: Kaitlan Collins and Peter Morris, CNN
Published:
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 06: As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues in the United States, President Donald Trump talks to reporters after signing a proclamation honoring National Nurses Day in the Oval Office at the White House May 06, 2020 in Washington, DC. With more than a million people in the United States infected with COVID-19 and tens of thousands dead from the virus, nurses have been on the front lines of care for patients across the country. (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)

A member of the US Navy who serves as one of President Donald Trump’s personal valets has tested positive for coronavirus, CNN has learned Thursday, raising concerns about the President’s possible exposure to the virus.

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. Trump was upset when he was informed Wednesday that the valet had tested positive, a source told CNN, and he was subsequently tested again by the White House physician.

In a statement, the White House confirmed CNN’s reporting that one of the President’s valets had tested positive.

“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,” deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement. “The President and the Vice President have since tested negative for the virus and they remain in great health.”

A White House source said the valet, a man who has not been identified, exhibited “symptoms” Wednesday morning, and said the news that someone close to Trump had tested positive for coronavirus was “hitting the fan” in the West Wing.

Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and the senior staffers who regularly interact with them are still being tested weekly for coronavirus, two people familiar told CNN. The White House is continuing to use the rapid Abbott Labs test, which provide results in about 15 minutes. Several officials who have received the test said it’s often administered in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next door to the West Wing on the White House grounds. A medical official swabs the staffer’s nostrils and informs them that they’ll be notified within the next several minutes if it’s positive.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.