A member of the US Navy who serves as one of President Donald Trump’s personal valets has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19
CNN confirmed the news on Thursday, raising concerns about the President’s possible exposure to the virus.
According to the publication, 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 and his vice Mike Pence, as well as the senior staffers who regularly interact with them, are still being tested weekly for coronavirus, two insiders told CNN.
