Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, 82, is hospitalized with ‘minor’ illness
- Ross was admitted to a hospital in upstate New York on Friday night
- Spokesperson says illness is ‘minor’ and not related to coronavirus
- Ross, 82, is the oldest member of President Trump’s cabinet
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has been hospitalized with an unrevealed illness.
‘Secretary Ross has been admitted into the hospital for minor, non-coronavirus related issues. He is doing well and we anticipate his release soon,’ a department spokesperson told Fox News.
Ross, 82, was admitted to a hospital in upstate New York on Friday night after feeling unwell, sources told the outlet.
The oldest member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet, Ross took the post in February 2017, and has been key during negotiations in the US-China trade war.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has been hospitalized with an unrevealed illness
As secretary of commerce, Ross also oversees the 2020 United States Census, which is currently underway.
He courted controversy by approving a move to add a question to the Census asking whether the person is a U.S. citizen. The question was later struck down by the Supreme Court.
The 2020 census – a once-a-decade head count – helps determine how $1.5 trillion in federal spending is allocated and how many congressional seats each state gets.
Ross has been working remotely since coronavirus began spreading widely in the U.S in mid-March.
A former banker, Ross has an estimated net worth of $600 million.
Developing story, more to come.