The coronavirus has hit a growing number of figures in President Donald Trump’s White House orbit, with potential links to recent campaign events, the first presidential debate, and the Rose Garden nomination ceremony of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In addition to President Trump and First lady Melania, other people to test positive for COVID-19 include White House adviser Hope Hicks, campaign manager Bill Stepien, and RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Most of them have reported mild to no symptoms.
The origins of the infections are murky and could remain that way. But as the New York Times has noted, many of the names attended the same events with the president as he criss-crossed several states in recent days. The first potential site of transmission may have been a September 25 fundraiser at Trump International Hotel in Washington attended by the president and McDaniel.
Other potential spreader events include a September 26 White House meeting with Amy Coney Barrett, attended by several people including Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mike Lee (R-UT), and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — all three of whom have since tested positive for COVID-19.
The Rose Garden nomination ceremony for Barrett on the same day may also have led to the spreading of the virus. The ceremony was attended by former counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway and University of Notre Dame president Rev. John Jenkins, both of whom also have the virus. Several members of the White House press corps have also contracted the virus.
The following is a list of the figures in the White House orbit who have so far tested positive COVID-19 since Thursday, listed in order of public disclosure or the first public report.
Hope Hicks, adviser to the president
The president tweeted late Thursday that his adviser had tested positive for the virus, following reports earlier in the day that broke the news.
Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
President Donald Trump and First lady Melania
The president confirmed shortly thereafter that he and the first lady had just tested positive and were beginning the quarantine process.
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
The Republican senator from Utah announced Friday morning that he got tested Thursday after experiencing symptoms “consistent with longtime allergies.” The test came back positive. “I will remain isolated for the next 10 days,” he said.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) October 2, 2020
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)
The Republican senator from North Carolina announced Friday evening that his COVID-19 test came back positive. “Thankfully, I have no symptoms and feel well,” he said.
Tonight my COVID-19 test came back positive. I’m following the recommendations of my doctor. Thankfully, I have no symptoms and feel well. COVID is a very contagious virus. If you were exposed or start to display symptoms, please call your doctor, self-isolate, and get tested. pic.twitter.com/fwc826dkvQ
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) October 3, 2020
Kellyanne Conway, former special adviser to the president
The former White House staffer announced late Friday that she tested positive and was experiencing “mild” symptoms that included a light cough. “I’m feeling fine,” she tweeted. “I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians.”
Tonight I tested positive for COVID-19. My symptoms are mild (light cough) and I’m feeling fine. I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians.
As always, my heart is with everyone affected by this global pandemic. ❤️
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) October 3, 2020
Bill Stepien, campaign manager for President Trump
Stepien hasn’t publicly confirmed that he tested positive for the coronavirus. However, Politico reported Friday that he received his diagnosis Friday evening and “was experiencing what one senior campaign official described as ‘mild flu-like symptoms.’”
Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the RNC
McDaniel also hasn’t publicly confirmed that she has the virus. The New York Times reported Friday that she tested positive.
Rev. John Jenkins, University of Notre Dame president
The university confirmed Friday that its president has the coronavirus. “My symptoms are mild and I will continue to work from home,” Jenkins said. “The positive test is a good reminder for me and perhaps for all of how vigilant we need to be.”
Chris Christie (R), former governor of New Jersey
Christie tweeted Saturday morning that he is positive for COVID-19. He later tweeted that “in consultation with my doctors, I checked myself into Morristown Medical Center this afternoon. While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure.”
I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19. 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.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) October 3, 2020
In consultation with my doctors, I checked myself into Morristown Medical Center this afternoon. While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) October 3, 2020
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