Has Trump been exposed to the coronavirus?
- Lawmakers potentially exposed to a person with the novel coronavirus had contact with US president
- Incoming Trump chief of staff to also self-quarantine as a precaution
US President Donald Trump has not been tested for coronavirus, the White House said, despite indirect contact through at least two lawmakers.
White House officials announced late Monday that the president had not been tested after a series of encounters with lawmakers who had contact with others who had tested positive for the virus. Top among those was Republican congressman Matt Gaetz, who announced he was placing himself in quarantine less than an hour after getting off Air Force One.
“The president has not received Covid-19 testing because he has neither had prolonged close contact with any known confirmed Covid-19 patients, nor does he have any symptoms,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said. “President Trump remains in excellent health, and his physician will continue to closely monitor him.”
During a briefing at the White House on Monday, Vice-President Mike Pence said he didn’t know whether or not the president was tested. Pence said he was not tested.
“I’ve had no recommendation that I will be tested,” Pence said.