About Coronavirus 2020
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The scope of the White House coronavirus outbreak will only become clear over the next few days, but here’s a look at who has tested positive and negative in the President’s circle so far. We will update as more info emerges.
Donald and Melania Trump: Positive
The President tweeted that he and the First Lady tested positive for Covid-19 in the early hours of October 2 and will be quarantining at the White House. Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters Friday morning that the President is experiencing “mild symptoms.”
Barron Trump: Positive
The President’s 14-year-old son tested positive for the virus, according to a statement from Melania on October 14: “My fear came true when he was tested again and it came up positive,” wrote the First Lady. “Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms.” Melania’s chief of staff Stephanie Grisham said Barron tested negative on the day of his parents’ diagnosis, reported USA Today.
Mike and Karen Pence: Negative
The Vice President and Second Lady tested negative for coronavirus on the morning of October 2, according to Pence’s press secretary, Devin O’Malley. Pence is scheduled to debate Kamala Harris next Wednesday. (Harris also tested negative for the virus this morning). The Pence’s also reportedly tested negative again on the morning of October 3.
Hope Hicks, advisor to the President: Positive
Bloomberg News reported Hicks tested positive for Covid-19 on October 1. The White House reportedly knew of Hicks’ likely diagnosis on Wednesday evening. She had been traveling with the President that day on Air Force One for a campaign rally in Minnesota.
Joe and Jill Biden: Negative
The candidate for president tweeted that he and his wife tested negative for coronavirus on October 2. Biden also tweeted: “I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands.”
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, advisors to the president: Negative
The President’s daughter and son-in-law tested negative for coronavirus on October 2, according to a White House spokesperson.
Ronna McDaniel, RNC Chair: Positive
McDaniel tested positive for coronavirus on September 30. She was last with the President on September 25 and has been quarantining in her Michigan home since September 26.
Amy Coney Barrett, Supreme Court nominee: Negative
The President’s nominee for the Supreme Court tested negative on October 2, according to White House spokesperson Judd Deere. According to the Washington Post, she had contracted Covid-19 over the summer and has since recovered.
Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State: Negative
Pompeo told reporters he tested negative for Covid-19 on October 2. He was last with the President on September 15 for the signing of the Abraham Accords.
Steve Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary: Negative
A Treasury spokesperson announced he tested negative for coronavirus on October 2.
Mike Lee, US Senator: Positive
The Senator from Utah received a positive diagnosis after getting tested on October 1, Lee tweeted. He met with Barrett on September 29. In a photo he shared of them standing close together, neither were wearing masks.
Thom Tillis, US Senator: Positive
Tillis, like Lee, serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is considering the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Kellyanne Conway: Positive
On Oct. 2, the former presidential advisor—who attended the Amy Coney Barrett nomination event at the White House—tweeted that she has tested positive.
Bill Stepien, Trump campaign manager: Positive
He too has contracted covid.
Ron Johnson, US Senator: Positive
The Wisconsin Republican is now the third Senator to come down with the virus.
Chris Christie: Positive
The former NJ governor helped Trump prepare for the debate. He now has covid.
Nick Luna: Positive
President Trump’s body man, who is in charge of Oval Office operations, traveled multiple days with Trump last week before coworker Hope Hicks was diagnosed. According to Bloomberg, he’s now positive.
Claudia Conway: Positive
In a TikTok video, Kellyanne Conway’s daughter was the first to tell the world that her mother got Covid. Now Claudia appears to have gotten it. In a new TikTok video, Claudia says sarcastically, “hey guys currently dying of covid.”
Kayleigh McEnany, Press Secretary: Positive
The White House press secretary tweeted that she tested positive for the virus on the morning of October 5. McEnany conducted a press briefing mask-less on October 1, and she has since briefed the press without wearing a mask.
Stephen Miller, advisor to the president: Positive
The presidential aide tested positive for Covid-19 on October 6. Wife Katie Miller, Pence’s press secretary, was diagnosed with coronavirus in May.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Northeast DC.
