In the early hours of Friday morning, US President Donald Trump tweeted that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for Covid-19 after one of his top aides contracted the virus.
Here’s what we know about the situation:
Hope Hicks tests positive: Hicks is a close aide to Trump and traveled with him multiple times recently, including to the presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday. She was seen boarding Marine One, along with several other of the President’s closest aides. Bloomberg was first to report that she had tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday. Several sources then confirmed the diagnosis to CNN.
Fundraiser and media briefing: A small group of White House officials knew by Thursday morning that Hicks had contracted Covid-19, according to CNN White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins — but Trump still took a trip to New Jersey for a fundraiser, and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany still held a news briefing at the White House on Thursday. McEnany didn’t wear a mask at the briefing, and made no mention of Hicks’ diagnosis to reporters in the room, Collins said.
Trump gets tested again: On Thursday evening, Trump confirmed Hicks’ diagnosis in a tweet and said that he and the first lady were being retested for the virus. “She did test positive, I just heard about this. She tested positive. She’s a hard worker. Lot of masks, she wears masks a lot but she tested positive,” Trump said on Fox News’ “Hannity.” “So whether we quarantine or whether we have it, I don’t know.”
Trump starts the “quarantine process”: The President followed his comments up with a tweet later on Thursday saying that he and the first lady were waiting for test results. “In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!” Trump tweeted.
Trump confirms he has Covid-19: After midnight, President Trump then tweeted that he and Melania Trump tested positive. “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!” he tweeted.
White House doctor’s letter: Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean P. Conley, issued a statement confirming the diagnosis and said, “The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.” Conley said he expects the President to “continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering.”
Questions: It is unclear exactly what the President’s “quarantine process” will look like and there are concerns that multiple officials — including former Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden — may have been exposed to the virus.